Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I was driving on the highway, on the way to the beach with my family and our pup! We heard a pop and thought maybe it was the tire but the engine began smoking. I pulled the vehicle over as safely as possible. I popped the hood and there was a fire. Everyone evacuated the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. I was the last to get out of the vehicle. Within minutes the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. We stood there and watched the only vehicle we have completely burn up. I cried and I watched my kids cry. What was supposed to be a beach day for us to distress and relax turned into us almost losing our lives on the highway. We are thankful for the state trooper, the fire department, and the paramedics who all arrived on scene and kept my family safe. Im thankful our lives weren't lost. However we still faced a life or death situation today.
[Wednesday 4:11 PM] Rosales, Denise CTR (NHTSA) The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to engage in hybrid mode the morning after being purchased. In addition, the vehicle failed to start and maintain battery power. The vehicle was towed to 2 different independent mechanics and 1 independent mechanic who came to the residence where it was diagnosed that the vehicle did not have hybrid functions possibly due to the battery failing to maintain power. The contact stated the battery was replaced however the failures remained present. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for a state inspection, the contact was told that the front engine cradle mounts were severely corroded. The contact was also informed that the corrosion was so severe that the part could not be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 204,495.
I was driving and pulled up to get some gas and put my car in park it just stop and turned off and I haven't been able to get it back on. Went and saw a mechanic and he said it was the timing chain on the car it only had 97,000 miles on it and it would shake while I'm in ideal
I bought this 2007 Saturn Vue v6 AWD in July 2012 from brighton Ford, brighton mi noticed a slight vibration when test driving. Less than a week after I buy it the ac goes out, and the shuttering gets worse. Take it back to them to look at and get referred to a tire shop. Was told the ac coil had a huge leak, and was probably "topped off" at by the dealer and that there was some tire wear issues. Brighton Ford refused to fix anything. Drive it for about a year the shuttering gets worse and worse take it in to bud kouts Chevrolet, lansing, mi for a check engine light that came on, it was because of a miss fire in two of the cylinders. Told them about the shuttering, was told nothing was wrong. 28 days later I have a tire explode, told there was nothing wrong. Take it back after finding a huge hole in the shock absorber casing. …
Upon a cold start, when the vehicle has rolled about ten feet, forward or reverse, with no input on the accelerator, there is a whir from the engine compartment, akin to a stepper motor noise, and the vehicle accelerates on its own. In reverse, applying the brakes stops the car, and then selecting drive, the vehicle responds to the accelerator correctly. The same thing happens in forward, but in most cases the accelerator is engaged to move forward. The problem does not seem to occur when the car is warmed up and being driven under normal use. In reviewing the shop manuals, there is an electronic throttle control motor, which I assume is a stepper type motor, in the throttle body assembly. This is controlled by the throttle actuator control(tac) and the power control module(PCM). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. While driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The vehicle lost power. The vehicle was restarted and loss of engine power error message displayed. In addition, the contact was unable to lock or unlock the doors. On another occasion, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a communication failure, but the technician was unable to determine what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My key would not come out of ignition, had to drill out ignition cylinder and replace housing also. Had to get a mechanic to key the cylinder and now the lights, A/C, and radio do not work after engine starts until it runs for about 8 minutes. Then everything works, but the check engine light stays on, the engine runs good, until it sits parked overnight and have to do it again the next day. Also had to replace the alternator. Still doing the same. Had it parked for abot two months and just start it and run the engine to preseve the battery. Use other vehicle instead.
My Vue has mysteriously started emitting a strong scent of fuel before I could get it into a day alert to diagnose and service it I was on the road when a fire started in the rear of my vehicle filling it with smoke. I pulled over and my boyfriend extinguished the flames but my brake light and dash light and instrumentation had been damage from electrical harnesses frying . Also needed to replace fuel pump return system and float as they were the initial cracked cause. Very scary thank god and jesus my baby girls weren't in the car or that worse had happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The contact restarted the vehicle and it functioned normally. After starting the vehicle, the check engine indicator illuminated. While attempting to shift into drive, the gear failed to shift even though the gear indicator displayed that the vehicle was in drive. The vehicle was taken to sears auto center where it was diagnosed that there were electrical failures. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Engine complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Saturn Vue, 12% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Vue engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.