This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Vue airbags problems
severe 74 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
74
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 74 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 Saturn Vue, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Saturn Vue we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 74.
Owners have filed 74 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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 informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT ON WITH DTC B0081 OR B0092 SET IN PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) SDM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRBAG ON LIGHT (AOL) INDICATOR LOOSE OR PUSHED IN. TO INCLUDE 2006 SATURN ION. UPDATED 08-15-07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Saturn Vue airbag system generates two overlapping categories of complaints: warning light problems and actual deployment failures.
The most common complaint is an intermittent or permanent airbag warning light on either the driver or passenger side. Owners describe the light cycling on and off over weeks or months, sometimes triggered by bumps, sometimes appearing for no apparent reason. Many took vehicles to dealers multiple times; technicians either found no fault codes, could not replicate the issue, or diagnosed a bad passenger presence sensor requiring $500–$1,200 in repair costs. After repair, the light frequently returned. Some owners note the light behavior is inconsistent with real system faults, suggesting electrical glitches rather than genuine airbag defects—but owners cannot know which.
The passenger-side presence sensor is frequently flagged. It fails to recognize seated passengers (even those over 100 lbs) or activates when the seat is empty. One owner visited the dealer four times before a $751 repair; another's sensor failed again after being replaced.
More serious are reports of airbag non-deployment during crashes. One owner hit a building head-on; airbags did not deploy. Another was in a 55 mph crash resulting in a rollover into a ravine; neither driver nor passenger airbags deployed, though the owner said the warning light had been cycling on/off for months. A third rear-ended another vehicle at unknown speed with no airbag deployment and sustained a concussion. Conversely, one owner reported spontaneous side-curtain airbag deployment while driving normally on an interstate, with no accident occurring.
Owners express frustration that GM has not issued a recall despite the pattern. Several mention that similar Saturn models with identical symptoms were recalled, but their specific VINs were excluded.
Same Saturn Vue airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent/Persistent Airbag Warning Light
Driver-side or passenger-side airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or permanently on the instrument panel, often without clear trigger. Light may turn off after being driven or restarted, then reappear days or weeks later. Some owners report light stays on continuously. Warning light behavior may or may not correlate with actual airbag function.
When: Occurs at any mileage; owners report it starting as early as new (7,500 miles) and persisting through 165,000+ miles. Many report years of recurrence.
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag warning light blinking or continuously illuminated; Passenger-side airbag warning light blinking or continuously illuminated; Light cycles on and off sporadically, sometimes multiple times per week; Light may turn off after turning off engine and restarting; Light may respond to bumps in road or vibration
Codes mentioned: B0092 (Passenger Presence Sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics: $99–$300; repairs range $500–$1,200. Common parts cited: passenger presence sensor replacement, passenger seat module replacement, heated seat element wire fracture. One owner paid $968.52 for sensor replacement; another $751.00; another $1,200 for passenger presence sensor and labor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM dealers initially deny coverage if vehicle is out of warranty. No recall identified for this cluster. NHTSA campaign 14V118000 mentioned in one narrative did not apply to complainant's VIN. Some dealers unable to replicate fault or find diagnostic codes.
Passenger Airbag Presence Sensor Malfunction
Passenger-side airbag presence sensor fails to recognize that a passenger is seated, or incorrectly detects occupancy regardless of seat status. Sensor may refuse to activate when occupied by lightweight passengers (100+ lbs) or may activate when seat is empty. Problem appears intermittently or becomes permanent.
When: Can occur at low mileage (12,000 miles) and persists with age; one owner's pre-existing notes indicated same issue started and recurred after 'repair.' Intermittent failures noted within months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light illuminates when seat is empty; Passenger airbag light remains off when occupied by passenger (including those over 100 lbs); Sensor recognizes occupancy inconsistently; cycling on/off with same passenger; Heated seat failure in conjunction with sensor issue (wire fracture in heating element)
Codes mentioned: B0092 (Passenger Presence Sensor), Passenger seat module fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Technicians recommend sensor replacement or entire passenger seat module replacement. One owner cited $751 out-of-pocket after four dealer visits; another quoted $1,200 for parts and labor. Dealer advised replacing heated seat element wire when fractured. One owner paid dealer and still experienced recurring sensor fault months later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer responses varied: some dealerships said problem was not covered under extended warranty; one noted the failure was 'common' with heated-seat-equipped models but was 'fixed' (recurred later); another dealer told owner 'things sometimes wear out' and declined warranty coverage. GM regional office declined warranty coverage in one case.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Crash
Front-driver and/or front-passenger airbags fail to deploy during moderate-to-severe vehicular impact or crash. Side-curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly without crash. Owners were in collisions ranging from 50+ mph impacts, vehicle rollovers, and front-end collisions into buildings—airbags did not activate when expected.
When: Occurred during actual crash events; one at 183,100 miles, one at 123,000 miles (rear-end collision), one at 55 mph head-on collision. One case of spontaneous side-airbag deployment while driving interstate at normal speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Front airbags did not deploy during head-on or rollover crash; Driver and passenger airbags remained inactive despite severe impact; Side-curtain airbags deployed without accident (on interstate at ~50 mph; no impact); Front airbags failed to deploy when side curtains went off (indicating selective failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled; no repair undertaken. Insurance denied claims stating no accident involvement (in spontaneous deployment case). One owner sustained concussion requiring medical attention. Police reports filed in multiple cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM was not made aware in some cases. In spontaneous deployment case, GM sent independent investigator who confirmed no accident occurred; GM response was vague, stating only 'something must have made it go off' and that they 'believe the airbag system is OK.' No resolution offered.
Airbag Module/System Electrical Failure
Airbag module or related electrical circuit becomes defective, causing secondary electrical symptoms (horn sounding continuously/intermittently, battery drain, inability to start vehicle). Fault may be diagnosed as defective airbag module but not repaired.
When: Can occur at various mileages (78,600 miles noted in one case). Recurrence and timing variable.
Symptoms owners cite: Horn sounds independently or continuously without input; Battery drains due to electrical fault in airbag module circuit; Vehicle electrical system compromised; Airbag warning light illuminated concurrently with horn/electrical fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: airbag module defective, replacement required. One owner was offered 50% manufacturer discount on repair but did not proceed. No specific repair costs provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered 50% discount on repair in one case; no coverage/warranty terms stated. Most cases did not result in repair or follow-up.
Ignition Switch Issues Linked to Airbag Faults
Key removal and ignition switch malfunction coexist with airbag warning light illumination. Keys become stuck in ignition, difficult to remove, or can be removed while vehicle is running. Owners report these as related safety issues.
When: Owners report ignition switch problems persisting for months; airbag light issues often occur in same timeframe. One owner noted prior dealer work on ignition switch under warranty did not resolve problem.
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in ignition; requires wiggling steering wheel to remove; Key can be removed while in drive or accessory mode; Key difficult to insert or turn; takes 10+ minutes to engage ignition; Ignition seizing progressively; Airbag light illuminates during same ownership period
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed warranty work on ignition switch but problem persisted. Owners report no lasting repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Similar model Saturn ignition switches were subject to recall; complainant's specific VIN noted as not included in current recall despite same symptoms on same make/model/year.
Synthesized from 74 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I have two 2007 Saturn vehicles, a vue and an ion the air bag light comes on periodically. I took the vue to a dealer and they said the sensor was bad and wanted to charge about $500.00 to fix it. The ion has the same problem but I haven't taken it in to be checked. It looks to me like there is a problem with the 2007 saturns and should be fixed by gm. *kb
2007 Saturn vue. The consumers wife was involved in an accident and the air bags did not deploy. *ta his wife was injured and the vehicle sustained extensive damage. *jb
I was driving this evening on a city street when my side airbags deployed. My passenger amd driver airbags however did not. When my side airbags deployed it startled me and I hit a curb messing up my alignment. This was incredibly unexpected and could've been a lot worse.
Air bag malfunction indicator light for the driver is on intermittently while driver is in the seat, the car is on, and operating. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to when this problem occurs. This has been happening for the last 6 months or so.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn vue. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light would illuminate whenever the passenger seat was occupied. The failure began when the wire used for the heated passenger's seat failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the heat element wire fractured and caused the failure. The dealer advised that the failure was…
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 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 airbags problem on the 2007 Saturn Vue?
It's a meaningful issue. 74 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 61 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 53,290 and 128,509 miles, with the median around 81,233. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,290; a quarter make it past 128,509. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2007/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.