Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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
My 2008 Saturn vue Engine size 3600cc, 6 cylinders has been feeling like the transmission is slipping when you get up to a certain speed and this could be very harmful to other drivers that are driving.. Sometimes the car won't go into park or reverse and I feel that since there are 3 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THE GM PLACE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS Because someone could get hurt really badly if the transmission locks up while going down the road.
I had been out to lunch and was pulling into a parking place in my workplace parking lot. I eased into the parking space and nudged the gas to get completely in the space. When I nudged the gas, my car accelerated on its own with such a force the car went over a concrete barrier in the parking space and I then hit a brick and concrete wall that was knocked down. An iron railing was on top of the concrete and that got smashed as well. My car was moving at such a fast and furious speed I had no control over it. As a result, my car was totaled due to the repairs that were necessary. This exact thing happened exactly three years ago in this car and it was the same situation. …
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?
Loud explosion from engine compartment. Then, sparks with flames began, while driving on the street. Other drivers waived & alerted us that flames were coming out. We stopped & got out. There was a trail of oil behind. Approx. 75 ft long. Chunks of engine metal was recovered off the road.
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. …
I have a problem with my transition. I know there was a recall and was never notified. When I called about the recall the woman on the other end said I wasn't able to be included that's why I wasn't notified. The recall stated any owner. As even though I was sold the car as new, there had been a previous owner. I bought the car with 420 miles. My car will not shift into gear sometimes, when in park it rolls about 8 to 10 inches. When my car won't shift my check engine light comes on. I use the tiptronic shift and where there should be a 1 for first gear there is nothing. On the high way when I step on the gas my car won't shift to a higher gear to pick up speed
Engine complaints in other Vue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Saturn Vue?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Saturn Vue, 13% of the model year's 406 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Vue engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 8 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.