Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2008-SATURN-VUE
2008 · Saturn

Saturn Vue problems

2 safety recalls. 406 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
107 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
86 reports · avg $700
moderate
electrical
67 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
22 reports · avg $3,100
severe
airbags
20 reports · avg $1,100
severe
visibility
16 reports · avg $350
moderate
body
12 reports · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
12 reports · avg $450
severe
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2008 Vue?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2008 Vue · powertrain
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
12/30/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633260.0
2008 Vue · wheels
WHEN IT SNOWS MY DRIVEWAY IS ON A HILL AND MY CAR IS IN PARK IT ROLLS BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL AND ILL LOOK OUTSIDE TO FIND IT MOVED FROM WERE I LEFT IT. NOW FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS IF I PARK AT THE STORE, SCHOOL,JOB AND GET READY TO GO TRY TO SHIFT THE CAR ON DRIVE WHEN I STEP…
12/30/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057635.0
2008 Vue · powertrain
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10 PENSACOLA FL HEADING NORTHWEST GOING 70-75 MILES AN HOUR SEMI TRUCK ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ME I M INT THE RIGHT LANE CARS TO MY LEFT TRAFFIC IS HEAVY 3:45 IN THE PM. MY CAR MAKES CHUNK THEN A BUMP ENGINE SHUTS OFF NO POWER NO POWER STEERING SEMI…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669048.0
2008 Vue · powertrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…
12/29/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816752.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 09V233000 25/06/2009

GM IS RECALLING 44,451 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH BODY COLOR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES

DRIVING WITH AN UNLATCHED DOOR COULD RESULT IN AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WITH CHROME DOOR HANDLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
severe NHTSA 08V200000 05/05/2008

GM IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN ITS PATH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Common questions

Is the 2008 Saturn Vue reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 406 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Saturn Vue has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2008 Saturn Vue?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 107 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Saturn Vue has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Saturn Vue?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 406 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 21 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Saturn. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →