Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While I am driving I have had intermittent incidents that cannot be replicated. "stabilitrak" warning light has not turned off. I have lost control of my vehicle while driving twice but was able to pull over after a few seconds. The vehicle will lose power to the dash. When I am turning the steering wheel gets very hard to turn and will turn off the radio. This will cause the car to loose power while driving. Then when I turn the car off I will be unable to get the key out or turn the vehicle on. I will have to restart the vehicle. I have replaced the battery twice and the alternator twice and this helped for 2 months then the problem persisted. I also replaced the wheel sensors to no avail. I have taken to 3 mechanics but they cannot replicate the issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into front and rear driver's side of the vehicle causing the contact to crash into a fire hydrant. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
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.
The contact owned a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle went around a right-hand corner and skidded. The vehicle then crashed into an embankment, and it stopped in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital as a precaution but did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,100.
Air bag light will be on, or flash periodically when already fastened. Had an electrical fire in the left side of steering column 7/27/18. Cruise goes in and out. Dim/bright light comes on when using turn signal. Ignition switch locks up from time to time where key can't be removed and steering wheel locks up or you can remove key but switch is still engaged. Vehicle has been in motion when most incidents occurred and lockups occur depending on what position the steering wheel is in (adjustable). The electrical fire happened just as I exited the highway from a 30 minute trip after releasing the cruise control button. Luckily I was only 4 blocks from home. Cfd was called and they dismantled the column, extinguished the fire. I was blessed. This could have been worse!
The contact owned a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed under the 50 MPH speed limit, the vehicle slid on a patch of black ice; the contact was able to correct the vehicle. The contact stated that there was snow on the ground. Soon afterwards, the vehicle slid on another patch of black; the vehicle slid across the road and hit the embankment head-on. The vehicle went up the embankment and down to the ditch below, where the vehicle landed on the driver's side, where it came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. Afterwards, the contact and the contact's daughter stopped by the clinic. The contact suffered minor injuries to the chest caused by the seat belt. The contact had bruises across the chest. …
The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 43,097.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Vue years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (93), 2007 (90), 2003 (41), 2008 (25) and 2004 (18) model years. Airbag complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Saturn Vue airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any Saturn Vue model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saturn Vue airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (36 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (11).
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.