Problems · by component

2008 Saturn Vue engine problems

38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Saturn Vue cite engine, 9% of all 406 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
38
9% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“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
“OCTOBER 22 2020 MY HUSBAND AND I HAD PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN VUE (LIC PLATE # 6EZZ507)FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. ON MARCH 25 2021 THE CAR SUDDENLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES THEN EXPLODED. MY HUSBAND MANAGED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN JUST SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR EXPLODED. WE'VE COME TO FIND OUT AFTERWARDS THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR,MAKE,MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED. IS THERE ANYTHING COULD POSSIBLY BE DONE?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2021Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineFire reportedODI 11412911
“ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO SPENT OVER &1000.00 ON IT ( TRANSMISSION) AT A GM DEALER ONLY TO HAVE THE ISSUE TO STILL EXIST. NEVER BUYING A GM VEHICLE AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2020EngineODI 11372920
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WOULD BEEP 3 TIME WHILE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH. I WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF. ... USUALLY WOULD START BACK UP IF I WAITED LONG ENOUGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME QUITE A FEW TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ALSO ON A STREET GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR AND SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. THE LAST TIME I TRIED TO DRIVE IT I PUT MY KEYS IN AND CANT GET THEM OUT. .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2020Steering, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11361453

Showing 6 of 38 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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