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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Saturn VueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 406 owner complaints for the 2008 Saturn Vue. Most complaints involve power train (120) and electrical system (88). The EPA rates it 17–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2009
Owner complaints
406
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

GM IS RECALLING 44,451 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH BODY COLOR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES MAY STICK OR BIND. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DOOR MAY NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 25, 2009NHTSA 09V233000

Steering: hose, piping, and connections

Free remedy

GM IS RECALLING 42,408 MY 2008-2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NUT SECURING THE POWER STEERING LINE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY LOOSEN. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THERE MAY BE A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.

SteeringReported Sep 17, 2008NHTSA 08V470000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

GM IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION CASE SIDE BORE THAT HOLDS THE PARK PAWL PIVOT PIN MAY HAVE A CASTING POROSITY. THIS CONDITION, COUPLED WITH NORMAL OPERATING STRESSES, COULD LEAD TO FAILURE, ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION IN 'PARK' POSITION.

Power trainReported May 5, 2008NHTSA 08V200000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

406 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2007 – Apr 2026
  1. Power train120
  2. Electrical system88
  3. Steering86
  4. Engine38
  5. Air bags25
  6. Vehicle speed control18
  7. Service brakes18
  8. Structure15
  9. Visibility15

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002177
2003632
2004276
2005170
2006300
2007312
2008406
2009125
20106
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

120 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Excessive frame rust at 107,000 miles. Major holes and chunks of supporting materials are missing. This is near the rear subframe on both sides of the vahicle. Makes it dangerous to drive and should be recalled by GM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 30, 2024Power train, StructureODI 11633260

Electrical system

88 reports3 crashes5 fires
“I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in Texas in Fort Worth coming from Arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get off the highway in a safe area I had to drive about 5 more miles up the road to the next exit so I started driving it didn’t smoke right off so a couple of minutes into the drive it starts smoking so I finally get to the exit smoke is now coming through the vents , I hurry and pull over and go to open the door it wouldn’t open I then I climb over and get out the back door I go into the business parking lot at this point it’s engulfed in black smoke and then it starts burning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11733687

Steering

86 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the dashboard on the passenger’s side. The contact stated that the abnormal grinding sound was also heard while the gear shifter was in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle. The contact added power steering fluid to the vehicle; however, the power steering fluid was leaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact stated that the power steering fluid leaked out entirely after driving for a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The contact stated that a clamp was added and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2025SteeringODI 11637489
All 2008 Vue problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 Oct 29, 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 FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Vue FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400468
Vue FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
Vue AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Vue AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Vue AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152217$3,800523
  • Vue FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Vue FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Vue FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Vue AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Vue AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Vue AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 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 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 5023Vehicle 2715
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 questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Saturn Vue problems?

Owners filed 406 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (120), electrical system (88), steering (86). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Saturn Vue get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Saturn Vue at 17–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026