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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Saturn Vue HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (6) and power train (3). The EPA rates it 28 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
28mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
11
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2010 – Oct 2014
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Power train3
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  4. Air bags2
  5. Steering1
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Vue Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200811
2009125
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

6 reports
“MY 2008 SATURN VUE HYBRID STARTED HAVING HUGE PROBLEMS. FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR THEN THE STABILITITRAK AND SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM; LOSS POWER WARNING CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MY 2008 SATURN VUE HYBRID WOULD POWER DOWN TO 50% BEFORE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. SOMETIMES IT RESTARTS THEN SHUTS DOWN AGAIN. IT DID THIS OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT A FEW WEEKS. SOMETIMES VEHICLE REFUSED TO START AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN KEY IT SEEMED LIKE WAS STUCK INSIDE MAKING IT HARD TO TURN OR REMOVE IT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BATTERY AND EVEN HYBRID BATTERY AND IT WAS FINE FOR SOME TIME. HOWEVER TODAY 10/14/14 IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY (BUSY HIGHWAY) IN NEW YORK CITY THE AUTOMOBILE STARTED TO STALL AT 45 MPH AND THE STABILITITRAK AND SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM, LOSS POWER WARNING CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN SUDDENLY ENGINE SHUT DOWN. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO MANEUVER WHILE I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT OVER TO CURBSIDE. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF MY CAR STALLED AT THE CROSSROADS? I WAS HAVING MY WIFE AND (XXX) YEARS OLD CHILD IN THE CAR TRAVELING WITH ME. THEY STARTED TO HAVE A PANIC…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2014Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10644697

Power train

3 reports
“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE CAR IT WOULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. IT WAS PUSHED TO A LOCAL GM DEALER AND THE SERVICE CENTER CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE RECALL OF 2008 SATURN VUES FOR THE POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUED ON 5/6/2008 WAS NOT MENTIONED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 7/2008 AND WAS NOT SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED BY THE OWNER. THE "MY GM" WEBSITE FOR GM VEHICLE OWNERS DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE VIN WHEN IT IS ENTERED, AND THUS PROVIDES NO INFORMATION ON RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VIN IS RECOGNIZED AS VALID ON THIS SITE, INDICATING THAT THE VIN IS CONTAINED IN STATE RECORDS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2014Power trainODI 10606762

Electronic stability control (esc)

2 reports
“FIRST OFF I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FROM THE BEGINNING. BASICALLY MY CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PULLS BACK AND THEN ALL THE LIGHTS START TO GO OFF. ELEC STABILITY CONTROL, AIR BAGS, THE STEERING SORT OF LOCKS UP AND I HAVE STALLED ON OCCASION. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES RE: THIS ISSUE AND IT NEVER SEEMS TO GET FIXED. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE GM IS HAVING WITH THEIR CURRENT RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT ON THE LIST. I HAVE ONLY ONE KEY ON MY KEY CHAIN AND THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. IT IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING NOT KNOWING IF MY CAR WILL WORK TOMORROW. DELILLO CHEVROLET IN HUNTING BEACH, CA HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN TRYING TO DETECT THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GRACIOUS BUT I NEED THE ISSUE RESOLVED ONCE AND FOR ALL. MY INTENTION IS TO HAND DOWN THIS CAR TO MY 16 YEAR OLD BUT NOT IF THE CURRENT ISSUE PERSISTS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2014Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10605047
All 2008 Vue Hybrid problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Vue Hybrid
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253228$2,150317
  • Vue Hybrid
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,150/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 5025Vehicle 2716
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Vue Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 12, 2026.

What are the most common 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (6), power train (3), electronic stability control (esc) (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid at 28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026