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 ↗2008 Saturn Vue airbags problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Saturn Vue in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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 technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2008 Saturn Vue vehicles report two distinct airbag problems. The first is a persistent airbag warning light that comes on and stays on or flickers repeatedly, often triggered by passenger seat occupation or turning signals. Multiple dealership visits have failed to pinpoint the cause; owners cite faulty clock springs, defective coils, and malfunctioning seat occupancy sensors as underlying issues. Repair costs range from $880 to $1,500, with GM offering limited cost-share assistance on out-of-warranty repairs.
The second problem is more serious: multiple owners report that airbags failed to deploy during actual crashes at various speeds (45–55 mph), resulting in occupant injuries. Additionally, owners of 2008 models purchased before December 2007 note that IIHS testing found the rear side curtain airbags deployed too slowly and didn't extend far enough to protect rear passengers' heads, which GM then redesigned for later 2008 production. GM did not recall or retrofit earlier vehicles or offer upgrades. One owner also reported third-degree chemical burns from airbag deployment. No recall has been issued for these vehicles, and GM customer service has declined to provide written confirmation that the original airbag design meets safety standards.
Same Saturn Vue airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light remains continuously or intermittently illuminated
The airbag warning light stays on or flickers repeatedly without clearing, often triggered by seat occupation, turning signals, or with no identifiable pattern. Dealerships frequently cannot diagnose the root cause or report finding no fault.
When: Various mileages reported: 40,000–95,000 miles; one complaint noted light started 8 months into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light continuously lit while vehicle is running; Intermittent illumination of passenger or driver airbag light; Light triggered or worsened by turning signal use or passenger seat occupation; Light comes on and off sporadically
Codes mentioned: Faulty airbag clock spring, Defective airbag coil, Faulty passenger airbag seat sensor
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer quote of $1,500+ for replacement; another paid for passenger seat cushion/sensor replacement; one dealer charged $880 with GM contributing only $264, citing out-of-warranty status. Many owners report dealership unable to locate cause despite diagnostic attempts; one owner states dealer charged $100/hour for troubleshooting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM authorized out-of-warranty diagnostic checks via OnStar; some owners received limited cost-share assistance (e.g., $264 toward $880 repair). Saturn customer service stated unfamiliarity with redesigned airbag information and indicated only future recalls would notify owners. GM Canada told owner vehicle meets government standards and declined to provide written confirmation of safety.
Airbags failed to deploy during crash events
Multiple owners report side curtain or front airbags did not deploy during collision, roll-over, or rear-end accidents at various speeds. In several instances, occupants sustained injury because airbags did not activate.
When: Occurred during active accidents; one crash at 95,000 miles, another at 24,000 miles, one at 80,000 miles, incidents at 45 and 55 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbags failed to deploy in side-impact collision; Front airbags did not deploy during frontal crash; Airbags remained non-functional despite impact forces that should trigger deployment; Vehicle roll-over without airbag activation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled or destroyed; one owner reported police report filed; damage assessment and engineer inspection recommended by dealer but not completed in narratives provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM redesigned rear side curtain airbags for 2008 models manufactured after December 2007 (January 2008 onward) to inflate more rapidly and extend further, based on IIHS testing that found inadequate head protection. Earlier 2008 models (e.g., purchased November 2007) retained the original design. No recall issued for vehicles with the original airbags; owners notified only that future campaigns would be communicated by mail.
Rear side curtain airbag inadequate inflation speed and extension
IIHS testing identified that rear side curtain airbags on early 2008 Vue models inflated too slowly and did not extend far enough, allowing rear occupants' heads to contact the window sill during side-impact crashes. GM redesigned the airbags but did not retrofit or recall earlier production vehicles.
When: Design flaw identified in IIHS testing; applies to 2008 models manufactured before December 2007
Symptoms owners cite: Rear dummy head struck window sill during IIHS side-impact test; Inadequate head protection rating in initial IIHS test; Airbags did not deploy with sufficient speed and coverage
Repairs/costs cited: No retrofit or repair available for original design. GM redesigned airbags installed in models manufactured January 2008 onward but did not offer upgrade path for earlier production.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM redesigned side curtain airbags and installed them in 2008 models produced after December 2007 with improved inflation speed and extension. Saturn customer service stated they were unaware of the redesign and had no information about the IIHS findings. GM Canada declined to provide written confirmation that original airbags meet performance standards equivalent to the redesigned version.
Passenger airbag sensor malfunction triggering false warning light
Passenger-side airbag warning light illuminates or remains on due to faulty seat occupancy sensor, preventing accurate airbag status monitoring. Light triggers whether seat is occupied or not.
When: Reported at 62,000–67,000 miles; timing varied
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates sporadically; Light comes on regardless of seat occupancy; Sensor does not properly detect presence or absence of passenger
Codes mentioned: Faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid for passenger seat cushion replacement to address sensor; dealership diagnostic found no fault in other case despite light illumination.
Airbag chemical burns upon deployment
Owner sustained third-degree burns to hand and arms from chemical residue released during airbag deployment in crash, resulting in permanent scarring.
When: Occurred during two-vehicle collision
Symptoms owners cite: Third-degree chemical burns on hand and arms from airbag deployment; Permanent scarring reported
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 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 2008 Saturn Vue?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 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 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 45,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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/2008/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.