Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and was inoperable while attempting to reverse. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
The power steering goes out especially at lower speeds are from take off ,it takes every thing you have to turn wheel it has almost caused me two accidents, fluid level is fine, makes no unusual noise steering just goes out making it very dangerous to turn to the right are left & very difficult to turn from a complete stop .No one has figured the problem out & its my only vehicle there is definitely a Manufacture problem with the steering in this vehicle
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.
Each time this occurred the vehicle was stationary/being parked, on 6-10 different occasions in the past 2 years, the key has gotten locked tight in the ignition switch. This caused the battery to run down and die on more than a few occasions. Once the key was frozen in place, after the engine was off, the key would not move in any direction and the steering was locked tight unable to move at all, the gear shift column was unable to be put in park. Other times the key would just be stuck in the ignition switch and could not be removed, regardless of effort to remove it, also not allowing the vehicle to be place into the gear of park. This problem has cause us to abandon the vehicle more than once, this is dangerous & should be addressed. I see other recalls on other Saturn models but not the Vue 2007, which does have a defect in this area and needs to be recalled. …
I was driving down the street and smoke began coming from around the steering wheel of my car. A symbol of a person holding a airbag appeared on the dashboard, I then felt that the airbag was going to deploy. I immediately pulled out of traffic into a auto zone. Aworker seen the smoke, and felt my car was on fire. I explained to him that the smoke is coming from around the steering wheel. He said "get out of your car, it's dangerous! The airbag lights for both driver side and passenger side come on and off. My Saturn is paid for, and I'm unemployed right now and can not afford to invest in a new vehicle. What can be done for the safety of the people who have trusted the industry?
My car is very rusted out,underneath the body and no one will work on my car because they feel it's a hazard to drive and work on. I went to an iron works shop and mechanic said it's a common problem with Saturn Vue's,I took it back to where I bought it because they knew it before I bought it . All they wanted to do was put me ina sports car,my car is a hazard to drive it plus I have 1 more year to pay for it. Seems like something could be done about this
The ignition was locked and key wouldn't go in, to get it to unstick I put key in as far as it would go and noticed I could start it without the key being fully inserted. This happened a few times before but this was the first time I realized I didn't need the key to be in the ignition to start nor does it need to be in the ignition to drive. I was able to reproduce problem in driveway. I made a video but think only photos can be uploaded
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
GM is recalling 2,149 my 2009 Saturn vue vehicles. Some of these vehicles May have been built with an incorrect right and/or left front steering knuckle. As a result of the incorrect knuckle and resulting inadequate clearance, the tie rod ball stud could pull out of, or fracture, the tie rod housing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering knuckles and, if necessary, replace the steering knuckle(s) and tie rod(s). The recall began on December 8, 2008.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Vue years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (86), 2003 (45), 2009 (38), 2007 (33) and 2006 (29) model years. Steering complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Saturn Vue steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 08V-616 (arm, Nov 24, 2008); 08V-470 (hose, piping, and connections, Sep 17, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saturn Vue steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (16 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (8).
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.