Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
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 the vehicle was stopped at a stop light, the contact proceeded to turn right and the vehicle began to hesitate and decelerate to 5 MPH. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, it failed to accelerate. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road. The contact continued to drive 5 MPH to her residence. The vehicle was taken to cecil clark Chevrolet (located at 8843 us-441, leesburg, fl 34788, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 137,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. While parked and attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse, the engine revved until the vehicle stopped going into reverse. The failure recurred on four other occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. ...updated 10/01/15
My car is a 2007 Saturn Vue. We only had it for a couple years. I first purchased the car and it only had 80000 miles on it its now at 105000 and the transmission went out on it driving down the highway. I havent had the car that long. It was practically still new. If these cars easily break down caused by transmission then they should be up for recall .the car was moving we were going down highway when there was a clucking sound.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a delayed response when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure occurred only when traveling down an incline at 65 MPH and greater. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 90. ....updated 07/22/15 updated 9/22/2015
My Saturn Vue, year 2007, is making a screeching sound coming from the area of the transmission on startup and gets louder on acceleration. The RPM is overly amped. On acceleration if stutters or feels like it's skipping between gears. This takes place on starting the car to driving on city streets or the highway.
I was driving on the highway going about 65 MPH and the car started shaking,brakes. Got really tight car barely wanted to,stop transmissikn was overheating at the same time car wasnt passing second gear everything happened out of nowhere.
Transmission complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Saturn Vue, 9% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Vue transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.