Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Saturn Vue problems

Owners filed 406 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Vue with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is power train (120).

Complaints
406
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train120
  2. Electrical system88
  3. Steering86
  4. Engine38
  5. Air bags25
  6. Vehicle speed control18
  7. Service brakes18
  8. Structure15
  9. Visibility15
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)15
  11. Engine and engine cooling13
  12. Exterior lighting11
  13. Latches/locks/linkages10
  14. Suspension9

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20071
200825
200914
201023
201124
201212
201326
201477
201535
201636
201737
201829
201923
202015
202112
20224
20235
20245
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

120 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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 fires1 related recall
“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

Engine

38 reports2 crashes6 fires
“Alternator I changed the starter I changed the alternator brand new it ran but then it stopped in mid drive and I won't just start and that's how I crashed into something now my car is wreck in the fridge and it won't start and if it does it stops”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineCrash reportedODI 11612712

Air bags

25 reports5 crashes
“, A PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CONSTANT COME ON WHEN YOU SIT SOMETHING IN THE SEAT I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED TWO TIMES AND IT STILL COMES ON I THINK IT'S A DEFECT IN THAT SYSTEM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2018Air bagsODI 11092764

Vehicle speed control

18 reports2 crashes
“My 2008 Saturn vue Engine size 3600cc, 6 cylinders has been feeling like the transmission is slipping when you get up to a certain speed and this could be very harmful to other drivers that are driving.. Sometimes the car won't go into park or reverse and I feel that since there are 3 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THE GM PLACE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS Because someone could get hurt really badly if the transmission locks up while going down the road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11427977
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

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