This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Saturn Vue powertrain problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Saturn Vue, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 powertrain problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (12).
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report several distinct powertrain problems on the 2009 Saturn Vue. The most common is transmission failure and slipping, occurring at widely varying mileages—some as low as 68,000 miles, others at 120,000+. Symptoms include loss of reverse, inability to shift into drive or second gear, hard shifting, transmission slipping, and reluctance to fully engage park. One owner reported sudden unintended acceleration (RPM surge to 3500) while cornering that caused a collision.
A second group of complaints center on electrical and ignition problems. Owners report the vehicle won't start reliably, requiring multiple key turns or shifting into neutral and turning the steering wheel to get it to crank. Keys become stuck in the ignition and won't release unless the engine restarts or the vehicle is manipulated (tapping the battery compartment, cycling the transmission, turning wheels). One customer noted this was resolved after shift-assembly replacement.
Additional issues include loss of power to the dash while driving, hardened steering requiring excessive effort, non-functioning cruise control, and intermittent warning lights (StabiliTrak). One hybrid model owner reported traction-control slipping with transmission engagement/release cycling, a non-functioning hybrid system, and battery corrosion. A GM dealer confirmed a "wave plate" defect inside the transmission on one vehicle. Owners report being stranded multiple times despite taking vehicles to multiple mechanics who cannot replicate the issues. GM has declined warranty coverage on out-of-pocket transmission replacements estimated at $2,500–$5,500.
Same Saturn Vue powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Loss of Reverse and Restricted Forward Speed
Transmission loses reverse entirely or refuses to shift into drive and second gear. Forward speed becomes severely restricted, initially maxing out at 10 mph and eventually plateauing at 30–40 mph with hesitation even at that speed.
When: Reported at 68,329 miles; also occurs at 120,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of reverse gear; Inability to shift into drive; Inability to shift into second gear; Severely restricted forward speed (10–40 mph); Hesitation during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: GM dealers estimate $2,500–$5,500 for transmission rebuild or replacement. One owner reported GM Policy Evaluation declined warranty coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined warranty coverage per Policy Evaluation; Service Bulletin Warranty evaluation performed but GM refused to remedy the defect
Transmission Hard Shifting and Slipping
Transmission shifts with excessive force or slips during engagement. One dealer diagnosis identified a wave-plate defect inside the transmission requiring full overhaul.
When: Reported at approximately 120,000 miles; pattern described as common after this mileage threshold
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely hard shifting; Transmission slipping; Traction control engagement and release cycling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated wave-plate defect requires transmission overhaul. Rebuilt or new transmission cost $2,500–$4,000+.
Unintended Acceleration During Cornering
Vehicle suddenly revved to 3,500 RPM and accelerated without driver input while negotiating a gentle curve, causing the driver to collide with a mailbox.
When: Single incident; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden RPM surge to 3,500; Unintended acceleration; Loss of driver control
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states GM knows transmission is defective but refuses to address the issue publicly
Intermittent Starting Failure and Ignition Lock
Vehicle won't start reliably on first or multiple attempts. Key becomes stuck in the ignition and cannot be removed unless the engine restarts or specific workarounds (shifting transmission, turning steering wheel, tapping the battery compartment) are used. Occurs intermittently and cannot be replicated at dealerships.
When: Ongoing issue spanning multiple years; one customer reported issue beginning year two of ownership and spanning at least one year (2013 update provided)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent failure to start; Key stuck in ignition; Inability to turn key to off position; Requires multiple key turns or neutral shifting to start; Requires steering-wheel manipulation to initiate start
Repairs/costs cited: One customer reported shift-assembly replacement resolved the key-lock issue. Multiple mechanics unable to replicate problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Shift-assembly replacement performed (consumer update 07/24/13)
Transmission Park Position Engagement Failure
Automatic transmission does not fully engage park position smoothly. Requires forceful or repeated hard throws into park to engage. Key cannot be turned to off or removed from ignition until park is fully engaged.
When: Ongoing intermittent issue
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission does not fully shift into park; Requires forceful shifting into park; Multiple hard throws sometimes needed; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Key cannot be turned to off position
Intermittent Loss of Power and Electrical Disruption While Driving
Vehicle intermittently loses electrical power to the dashboard while driving, causing steering to stiffen, radio to shut off, and cruise control to become non-functional. Accompanied by StabiliTrak warning light that will not turn off. Issues are intermittent and cannot be replicated by mechanics.
When: Intermittent; ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power to dash while driving; Hardened steering (requires excessive effort to turn); Radio shuts off; Cruise control won't engage; StabiliTrak warning light stays on; Loss of vehicle control twice (both incidents allowed safe pull-over)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced battery twice and alternator twice; parts helped for two months before issue returned. Wheel sensors replaced; tapping battery compartment sometimes restarts power. Three mechanics unable to replicate.
Hybrid System and Battery Corrosion (Hybrid Models)
Hybrid battery pack exhibits heavy corrosion and likely leaking. Hybrid system remains engaged at all times and never powers down normally.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Hybrid batteries corroded; Suspected battery leakage; Hybrid system never turns off; Vehicle does not engage hybrid efficiency (no automatic shutdown at stops)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner mentions possible recall.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
While I am driving I have had intermittent incidents that cannot be replicated. "stabilitrak" warning light has not turned off. I have lost control of my vehicle while driving twice but was able to pull over after a few seconds. The vehicle will lose power to the dash. When I am turning the steering wheel gets very hard to turn and will turn off the radio. This will cause the car to loose power…
The vehicle has only 122,000 and is in good physical condition, yet the transmission is slipping badly. After doing some investigation, we found out that this is often the case for this model and year after 120,000 miles. We brought it into our local gm dealer/shop and they told us it needs a new transmission, which ranges from rebuilt at $2500 and new for over $4000. This seems very wrong…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 powertrain problem on the 2009 Saturn Vue?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 77,500 and 143,000 miles, with the median around 121,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 77,500; a quarter make it past 143,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2009/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.