2007 Saturn Vue Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  27%
• 25k–50k
  14%
• 50k–75k
  311%
• 75k–100k
  622%
• 100k–150k
  933%
• 150k+
  622%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Saturn Vue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Each time this occurred the vehicle was stationary/being parked, on 6-10 different occasions in the past 2 years, the key has gotten locked tight in the ignition switch. This caused the battery to run down and die on more than a few occasions. Once the key was frozen in place, after the engine was off, the key would not move in any direction and the steering was locked tight unable to move at all, the gear shift column was unable to be put in park. Other times the key would just be stuck in the ignition switch and could not be removed, regardless of effort to remove it, also not allowing the vehicle to be place into the gear of park. This problem has cause us to abandon the vehicle more than once, this is dangerous & should be addressed. I see other recalls on other Saturn models but not the Vue 2007, which does have a defect in this area and needs to be recalled. …

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?

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact was unable to turn the key while in the ignition past the "on" position. The contact had difficulty removing the key from the ignition. After jiggling the key and turning the steering wheel several times, the key was able to come out and had difficulty being reinserted. The failure occurred anytime without warning. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or Kia dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Driving on the road and freeway, the dashboard lights and radio go out and I loose power steering, this is an ongoing and sporadic problem. Took it to the dealer and they could not replicate the problem. They recommended to replace the both battery cables, I replace them but continue to have the problem, I believe it is an ignition switch problem, but there is no recall on my VIN number

While driving the vehicle, the power steering was lost making it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle as there was no electronic assisted steering at that point. In addition, the digital components on the dashboard (speedometer, fuel gauge, etc.) lost power. The power steering would go out intermittently while driving making it very dangerous to operate the vehicle.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while at a stop light, smoke emerged from the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

I was driving taking a right turn when the steering wheel locked and would not turn further, I drive into the other lane. I then decided to get into a parking lot, seconds later the steering wheel locked again and I had to get the car towed to my house.

Loss of steering due to manufacturing design flaw. Pin retaining shaft below steering motor fell out leaving driver with no control of vehicle. Vehicle veered off roadway missing light pole and fire hydrant!

After the warranty expired, my Saturn Vue experienced failure of the ignition lock system which cost me a fee of $141.12 to have it replaced at the a-abra-cadabra lock service in akron, ohio. The problem was when I inserted the ignition key, sometimes the motor would start, and sometimes it wouldn't. Oftentimes, I had to shake the steering wheel to get the ignition to work. Also, sometimes the ignition key was difficult to get in and out of its slot. Because of these ignition switch problems, I feared an accident. According to the owner of the lock service shop, at that time his installation at 09/27/10, the replacement mechanism would eventually give me the same problems, and fail once again. He said it was the only ignition switch available for this vehicle, and only one manufacturer supplier produced the part. He said all of them were defective. …

Steering complaints in other Vue years