Most common 2008 Saturn Vue problems
Share of the 406 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn Vue complaints by model year
Best Vue years: 2010, 2005, 2009. Years to avoid: 2003, 2008, 2007, 2006. Compare all years →
2008 Saturn Vue recalls (3)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
GM is recalling 44,451 my 2008 Saturn vue vehicles with body color outside door handles. The outside door handles May stick or bind. If this were to occur, the door May not latch when closed.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the outside door handles with chrome door handles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before August 18, 2009. Owner May contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
GM is recalling 42,408 my 2008-2009 Saturn vue vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump May loosen. If this were to occur, there May be a power steering fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump. If there are no signs of a fluid leak, dealers will tighten the nut.
Power train › Automatic transmission
GM is recalling 26 my 2008 Saturn vue vehicles equipped with a 6t70 6-speed automatic transmission. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the transmission case side bore that holds the park pawl pivot pin May have a casting porosity.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2008. Owners May contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Saturn Vue:
Outside door handles stick unlatched
By letter dated June 23, 2009, general motors notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 09V233) to replace the outside door handles on certain model year 2008 Saturn vue vehicles. The exterior door handle on certain model year 2008 Saturn vue vehicles can stick in the unlatched position.the door May open while the vehicle is in motion.
What 2008 Saturn Vue owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 120 →
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the transmission felt like it was slipping while driving at various speeds. The transmission failed to shift gears or lock into the desired gear. The contact had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
2008 Saturn vue AWD. Steering wheel is very difficult to turn while driving. There is a lot of resistance. No leaking fluid visible and no visible loss of fluid levels. Transmission was torn down/repaired in 2017 for metal bits present at 95,000 (approximate) miles. It is currently at 107,600 miles. Transmission gets stuck in lower gear and rpms Rev up without the vehicle gaining acceleration. The tear down/rebuild was due to bad 3 5 wave plate also and seems to be replicating the issue again. Check engine light comes on amd goes off intermittently and cannot get issue to replicate at the mechanics. Key has also gotten stuck in the barrel. Took almost 2 hours to try numerous ways to get it to release-also had to unlock manually on the door handle, none of the lights inside worked and when it was able to get started it was very slow and deliberate. …
Electrical system all 88 →
I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in Texas in Fort Worth coming from Arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get off the highway in a safe area I had to drive about 5 more miles up the road to the next exit so I started driving it didn't smoke right off so a couple of minutes into the drive it starts smoking so I finally get to the exit smoke is now coming through the vents , I hurry and pull over and go to open the door it wouldn't open I then I climb over and get out the back door I go into the business parking lot at this point it's engulfed in black smoke and then it starts burning.
Alternator I changed the starter I changed the alternator brand new it ran but then it stopped in mid drive and I won't just start and that's how I crashed into something now my car is wreck in the fridge and it won't start and if it does it stops
Steering all 86 →
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was no power steering fluid. The contact added power steering fluid to the vehicle; however, the power steering fluid was leaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact stated that the power steering fluid would leak entirely after an hour drive. Additionally, the contact stated that the leak was more significant while the vehicle was parked. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V470000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. …
I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in Texas in Fort Worth coming from Arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get off the highway in a safe area I had to drive about 5 more miles up the road to the next exit so I started driving it didn't smoke right off so a couple of minutes into the drive it starts smoking so I finally get to the exit smoke is now coming through the vents , I hurry and pull over and go to open the door it wouldn't open I then I climb over and get out the back door I go into the business parking lot at this point it's engulfed in black smoke and then it starts burning.
2008 Saturn Vue engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl hybrid | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 32 / 28 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Saturn Vue a good car?
Based on 406 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Vue rates avoid: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Vue at the same age. It is one of the Vue years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Saturn Vue?
The transmission & drivetrain — 120 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the electrical system (88) and steering (86).
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Saturn Vue, the most recent from June 25, 2009 (latch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn Vue?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2005 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2008, 2007 and 2006. See the full Saturn Vue years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Vue problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.