This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Saturn Vue suspension problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Saturn Vue we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗These 2 SKUs are Front Left/Front Right Stabilizer Links. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the ball studs of the stabilizer link. Parts will be inspected for features causing inability to complete assembly of the stabilizer bar.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Information Regarding the Differences Between Fluid Leakage and Seepage This bulletin is intended to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak and what is considered seepage. Improper diagnosis may lead to unnecessary component replacement. Use the following information to determine if the condition is normal acceptable seepage or a defective component
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2006 Saturn Vue owners consistently cite premature suspension component failures. The most frequent complaint is wheel bearing failure: rear bearings fail as early as 25,000–58,000 miles (well below the typical 100,000-mile MTBF), with one owner experiencing two rear bearing failures within two months. Front wheel bearings also fail repeatedly; one owner replaced them six times after purchase. Center driveshaft support bearings and rubber bushings are separating at 53,000 miles, and owners report this as a known common issue.
Sway bar breakage appears across multiple vehicles, including recurring failures on the same car. One salvage yard observer noted the passenger-side sway bar breaks consistently across multiple same-model vehicles. Front lower control arm bushings separate prematurely, causing clunking over bumps. Strut mounts fail by 25,000 miles on AWD models.
Brake rotor warping creates dangerous steering shimmy so severe one owner found maintaining control "almost impossible." Another owner reported a steering shake at highway speed that preceded fishtailing between tractor-trailers.
Undiagnosed suspension noise persists despite multiple service visits and technician recommendations, with one owner reporting Saturn customer service was unresponsive. The OEM redesigned bearing specifications for 2008 models, acknowledging issues existed in the 2006 platform.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear wheel bearing failure
Timken rear wheel bearings (Saturn part #15871427) failing prematurely, well below typical automotive MTBF of 100,000 miles. One owner reported two failures within two months; another reported failure at 25,000 miles. Failures manifest as squealing, high-pitched humming, and increased powertrain noise at highway speeds. OEM redesigned suspension parts for 2008 models with new bearing design (Saturn part #19206600).
When: 58,086 miles (first failure), 25,000 miles (another owner), 53,731 miles noted as early failure point
Symptoms owners cite: Light squeal noise from rear of vehicle; High-pitched humming noise from rear; Increased powertrain hum; Tachometer reading higher than normal vehicle speed at 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced under warranty at Saturn dealership. One owner had two replacements within two months (May-June 2008). Cost not specified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: OEM redesigned suspension parts for 2008 Saturn Vue; replaced Timken part #15871427 with newer design part #19206600 (higher durability)
Front wheel bearing failure
Premature wear and failure of front wheel bearings on 2006 Saturn Vue. One owner reported six bearing replacements; another reported both front bearings failed and replacement bearings failed as well, along with rear bearing failures.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; one owner had six replacements after purchase in June 2011
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise
Repairs/costs cited: Fixed six times on one vehicle; replacement bearings also failed. Cost not specified in narratives.
Center support bearing (driveshaft) failure
Rubber bushing on center support bearing for driveshaft separating prematurely. Stated as a common problem. Failure results in vibration that worsens over time. One owner reported this issue discovered during torque converter recall service.
When: 53,731 miles (noted as early for this defect)
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration of driveshaft (as defect progresses)
Repairs/costs cited: Cost between $450–$500. Rubber bushing needs replacement. One owner also found front lower control arm bushings separating on same visit.
Front lower control arm bushing separation
Control arm bushings separating prematurely on front suspension. Owner was told this is a common problem. Causes clunking noise over bumps.
When: 53,731 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunk when going over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $280. Discovered during other suspension repair visit.
Front strut mount failure
Front strut mounts failing prematurely on 2006 Saturn Vue AWD.
When: 25,000 miles
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced at 25,000 miles.
Stabilizer bar / sway bar breakage
Stabilizer bar (sway bar) breaking and hanging down from vehicle. Two owners reported this failure; one experienced it twice on the same vehicle. Observer at salvage yard noted pattern of same failure on passenger side of multiple same-model vehicles. One owner reported grinding and squeaking noise from front right sway bar, described as poor quality suspension.
When: 39,410 miles (first failure), recurring two years later at 124,756 miles for same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise while driving; Bar visibly broken and hanging; Grinding and squeaking noise (especially when cold)
Repairs/costs cited: Stabilizer bar replaced. One vehicle had two replacements. Second failure offered no manufacturer assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance offered after second failure
Steering shimmy and loss of control
One owner reported brake-related shimmy of steering wheel so severe that maintaining control was almost impossible. Another owner reported a shake in steering during highway driving that preceded fishtailing with tractor-trailers nearby. Both indicate suspension or brake-suspension interaction issues.
When: Related to brake rotor warping in one case; highway driving in another
Symptoms owners cite: Shimmy in steering wheel when brakes applied; Shake in steering during highway driving; Fishtailing toward left and right
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced three sets of front brake rotors due to excessive warping; rotors could not be turned. Related to suspension control issues.
Brake rotor warping
Excessive warping of front brake rotors to the point where they cannot be machined/turned. Results in steering wheel shimmy when brakes applied.
When: Within first two years of ownership (AWD model)
Symptoms owners cite: Shimmy of steering wheel when brakes applied; Excessive rotor warping
Repairs/costs cited: Three sets of front brake rotors replaced on one vehicle in two years due to excessive warping.
Undiagnosed noise from suspension
Persistent noise from suspension that resists diagnosis. Owner took vehicle in three times over nine months; technicians recommended replacing brakes, then struts and sway bars, but could not guarantee either would resolve the issue. Saturn customer service did not work with owner to satisfaction.
When: Began sometime between Nov 2007 (35,311 miles) and March 2008
Symptoms owners cite: Noise (specific characteristics not detailed)
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes recommended (March 2008), then struts, sway bars, and lift gate latch recommended (July 2008). Cost not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Saturn customer service not cooperative per owner complaint
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2006 Saturn Vue?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2006 Saturn Vue?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 36,000 and 120,672 miles, with the median around 53,731. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 120,672. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Saturn/Vue.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.