Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Saturn Vue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle went around a right-hand corner and skidded. The vehicle then crashed into an embankment, and it stopped in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital as a precaution but did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,100.
Air bag light will be on, or flash periodically when already fastened. Had an electrical fire in the left side of steering column 7/27/18. Cruise goes in and out. Dim/bright light comes on when using turn signal. Ignition switch locks up from time to time where key can't be removed and steering wheel locks up or you can remove key but switch is still engaged. Vehicle has been in motion when most incidents occurred and lockups occur depending on what position the steering wheel is in (adjustable). The electrical fire happened just as I exited the highway from a 30 minute trip after releasing the cruise control button. Luckily I was only 4 blocks from home. Cfd was called and they dismantled the column, extinguished the fire. I was blessed. This could have been worse!
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Saturn Vue. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
While driving I noticed the "air bag readiness" light come on. It stayed on for about 10-15 minutes until I reached my destination and turned off the engine. I turned the car back on and the light only stayed on for a short time, then went off. Later that day when driving the light came back on and stayed on again until I turned off the engine. It did this several times. I checked the owners manual and it said to take it in for diagnostics to be run. It also said that the air bag could deploy unexpectedly, or not deploy at all if in an accident. I made and appointment on 07/24/2015 and took it to a dealer. After running the computer check on it, the technician said the passenger presence sensor needed to be replaced and it was not covered by my extended warranty. The parts would have to be ordered and would take several hours to install. …
I started my car and the drive side air bag light came on no blinking just on. My car had been parked while I was at work. I went home for lunch I figured it was just a glitch would go out went back to work parked it again then when I left to go home it was on again. In the past few months I have had my keys get stuck in the ignition switch and had to wiggle the steering wheel to.get them out. My radio screen will go all crazy funny numbers and I have had wind noise with both of my front doors since I have owned the vehicle. We took it to the dealership and the worked on the ignition switch when it was under warranty but it didn't help. Now with the airbag I am terrified to drive the car I paid for and to let my child ride in it and it's my only transportation. It looks like every other Saturn is getting recalled but this one we need help before we get hurt. …
There is a recall on similar models for the same issue, but not mine. My key comes out of the ignition while driving and continues to run. This also occurs while in park. This could cause airbags to not deploy in an accident as well as it has drained my electrical system on a number of occasions because if it is not fully disengaged I can still remove the key in acc mode and drive mode. Also, I have to tug on the gear shift in order to get the key into the proper position to remove it properly. Now'I cannot even turn my key, as the ignition is seizing. It takes me no less than 10 minutes to get it to click and turn on. I was advised my model is not in the recall though the same and same makes are. I really feel this is a huge issue. Please advise! …
I own a 2007 Saturn Vue which was purchased brand new in May 2007. The driver's side airbag light illuminates for weeks before it will turn off. I have taken it to the dealership and they can not find any problems so they say. Right after I bring the vehicle home the problem begins again. The vehicle was under warranty but the warranty has since expired and I don't think I should be the one to pay for a repair when it is obviously a manufacture problem. I have been reading the same problem from quite a few owners. Why does someone have to get seriously hurt or die for that matter before the manufacture will do something to prevent possible injury? The part probably doesn't cost that much for the manufacture to fix but they would rather risk getting sued for millions than fix a $$ problem. Oh the shame!
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a grinding type noise was present coming from the front passenger side wheel and the front of the vehicle would vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front passenger side wheel bearing was faulty. The bearing was replaced but the failure recurred. The contact indicated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger side air bag sensor light would illuminate indicating that the system was turned off although a passenger was seated in the front passenger seat. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
I was driving down the street and smoke began coming from around the steering wheel of my car. A symbol of a person holding a airbag appeared on the dashboard, I then felt that the airbag was going to deploy. I immediately pulled out of traffic into a auto zone. Aworker seen the smoke, and felt my car was on fire. I explained to him that the smoke is coming from around the steering wheel. He said "get out of your car, it's dangerous! The airbag lights for both driver side and passenger side come on and off. My Saturn is paid for, and I'm unemployed right now and can not afford to invest in a new vehicle. What can be done for the safety of the people who have trusted the industry?
I was driving in my subdivision and the curtain air bags went off in my 2007 Saturn Vue hybrid. I swerved and ran into a tree causing massive frontal damage and the driver-side air bag to deploy. My 3-year-old daughter was in the back passenger child car seat and was OK but I was diagnosed with chest, knee, hip, and nose contusions, still healing after 4+ days. The car was a total loss per allstate. I have no idea what caused the curtain air bags to go off but see on carcomplaints.com there are many airbag issues. Very mad and demand attention from GM since Saturn is defunct.
Airbag complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Saturn Vue, 31% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Vue airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2007 Saturn Vue. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Saturn Vue airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.