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 2008 Saturn Vue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A car hit me from behind and pushed me into oncoming traffic where I was hit by a car on driver front. Air bags deployed and the chemical in the bags caused 3rd degree burns on my hand and arms. Medical expenses were not that much but I have been left with scarring that I think are unattractive. Doctors say it is permanent.are airbags supposed to explode and the chemical in them be released?
I was driving my 2008 Saturn Vue straight forward at 45 MPH, a Buick encore turned directly in front of me and I slammed into the back of their vehicle. My car was totaled but my air bag did not deploy! I'm lucky I had my seat belt on or I would have gone through the windshield.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Saturn Vue xe. The contact stated that she was rear ended while driving 55 MPH. As a result, the vehicle spun around and rolled 20 feet down into an inbankment. Upon impact, the side airbags did not deploy and the front passenger seat belt failed to retain the passenger. The driver suffered a severe contusion and abrasions. The passenger sustained a damaged knee, shoulder, arm, hand and head. The police were notified and a report was available. The driver and passenger declined services through an ambulance. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was notified and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The vehicle was at the dealership for a different repair. Upon driving the car off the lot on Friday, I noticed that the air bag light was illuminated. I immediately returned to the dealership. On the following Monday, I was told that the air bag module had failed, causing the air bags to become inoperable. This car has experienced major electrical failures including ignition failure/replacement, HVAC module failure/replacement, body control module failure/replacement, brake sensor failure/replacement and now the airbag module failure/replacement. This vehicle needs to be taken off of the roads due to severe safety hazards and systems failure.
I had work done after steering column due to a faulty sensor causing ABS warning light to come on. The. Not long after that my airbag warning light would come on intermittently especially when using my turning signal. The vehicle was taken to dealership twice and was told nothing wrong could be found. So I did some research about other Saturn and GM owners having the same problem and it was determine to be a faulty airbag clock spring or connector. Now I am driving a vehicle where I really don't know if the airbags will deploy if I am in a accident.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck on the driver's side by another vehicle. The contact sustained strained ligaments. The dealer stated that the engineer would have to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer has not yet been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 24,000. Updated 12/17/08. Updated 12/18/08.
I have just paid to replace the passenger seat cushion where the sensor for the passenger airbag is. The passenger airbag light came on in my car and the mechanic discovered that the sensor was not working, therefore they were unable to say whether the airbag would correctly deploy in an accident situation. I am unable to upload the receipt due to file size. The mechanic indicated they could provide details if necessary.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash in which the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the failure of the air bags was not diagnosed but the vehicle was deemed as destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
My airbag light won't turn off. My dashboard lights won't reset. The staircase light is on, the oil light, the suspension light. I've had electrical problems since purchasing the car which now has 99,972 miles on it.
Takata recall this afternoon, the airbag warning light came on and stayed on. I was not moving. Previously, the electrical system went out and was costly to repair, had to be towed from pittsburgh to cleveland.
Airbag complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Saturn Vue, 6% of the model year's 406 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Vue airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Saturn Vue, though it has 3 recalls for other components. 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 2008 Saturn Vue airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 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.