Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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
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. …
October 22 2020 my husband and I had purchased a 2008 Saturn Vue (lic plate # 6ezz507)from a private party. On March 25 2021 the car suddenly engulfed in flames then exploded. My husband managed to exit the vehicle in just seconds before the car exploded. We've come to find out afterwards that this particular year,make,model had been recalled. Is there anything could possibly be done?
Drove to a store .5 miles from my house noticed my car was smoking from under the hood. Drove back home, parked, and turned the car off, then raised the hood and the wire harness by my starter was on fire.
There was a recall bulletin issued for my model year vehicle: http://www-odi.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm472842/rcrit-14V614-0055.pdf however, when I contacted my closest GM dealer they said that my VIN was not associated with this recall. This is concerning as the recall is describing the exact problem w/ the car and has been diagnosed by a service professional. One of the connectors on my ECM somehow has become contaminated and is causing the car to unexpectedly die while in use. Also as a result, the TCS/ESP/and check engine lights all come on and remain on until the computer can be reset. It has done so twice while my wife has been driving it on the highway, creating very dangerous situations. It strands her on the side of the road until we can get the car started again and off the highway. …
For the last year, while driving at low speeds, and while stopped with the engine running, the engine will shut off. It won't restart for a few minutes, sometimes it will restart on first try. The electrical system (I'm guessing) makes a lot of clicking noises-from the engine and inside the car-dashboard lights will flicker, electric door and window lights on driver side door will flicker, airbags, hazards, radio lights will all flicker, and windows won't go up or down, or will slightly, door locks won't operate, etc. Electrical issues started the same night I purchased it sept. 2017 when the electrical system went haywire and the engine died and all the electrical light flickered. The dealer had it hooked up to a battery charger the next day and the battery died. …
Transmission stuttered once accelerating from a stop light, again later driving apprx 35 MPH changing lanes; slight acceleration. Then noticed the engine light was on, so I pulled into a parking lot, stop the car and began checking the vehicle manual which indicated possible emission issues +++. Began researching where the closest GM dealer was located. I turned the engine on, put it in reverse, checking for clearance behind me then stepped on the accelerator.... The engine revved and the car started to drift forward towards the vehicle parked in front of me. "no reverse?" good thing I left plenty of parking clearance. I then researched were a transmission shop was located. After the vehicle ahead of me pulled out I was able to drive out of the shopping center... …
The key stuck in the key lock cylinder and would not turn. The Saturn Vue 08 had to be towed to the dealer, and the key lock cylinder drilled out and replaced. The new key lock assembly is performing similar to the one that failed. The key sticks in the cylinder and requires 4 or 5 tries to turn the ignition on. It will not pull out easily, but jams at the inside edge where the metal shank of the key meets the black plastic key casing. The new key lock assembly metal cover on the steering column appears to be catching, and shows bending. The new key shows severe scratches. The replacement key lock assembly silver rectangular opening where one inserts the key does not appear to be sturdy enough, and it bends easily causing the key to catch. The problem is progressing, and the key is starting to stick as before, making it impossible to turn and start the car. …
Now this is like the 5th time I think I have wrote a letter to this company and no one has answered me I've had problems with my car being parked on a hill and it rolls backwards when no one's inside of it and other little things thats on the Saturn recall but my car is not on the list. But now I'm having a problem with my back door not shutting when I shut it it opens unexpectently. In the words of car talk it's called 1. Transmission case porosity at park pawl 2. Outside door handle sticks/bind. Also the interior lights on the trans stick is out, my warning dash boards light come in for no reason 1st it was oil light which I received an oil change a month ago and now it's the check engine light, car alarm goes off when the back door acts up. Now I hope to here from someone soon. I might go to the news cause I need help and you people not helping so that might make u move faster. …
Electrical complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Saturn Vue, 22% of the model year's 406 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Vue electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 5 fires and 6 injuries to electrical system 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.