2008 SATURN VUE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
572
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
19
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2008 SATURN VUE
The 2008 SATURN VUE has received a total of 572 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 19 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (108 complaints), Steering (83 complaints), and Electrical System (80 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 SATURN VUE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2008 SATURN VUE, potentially affecting up to 86,885 vehicles.
Recall 09V233000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
| 44,451 vehicles affected
Defect: GM IS RECALLING 44,451 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH BODY COLOR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES MAY STICK OR BIND. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DOOR MAY NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED.
Consequence: DRIVING WITH AN UNLATCHED DOOR COULD RESULT IN AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WITH CHROME DOOR HANDLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
View full details →Recall 08V470000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
| 42,408 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE FLUID COULD CONTACT HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
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. IF A FLUID LEAK IS PRESENT, DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT...
View full details →Recall 08V200000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 26 vehicles affected
Defect: GM IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION CASE SIDE BORE THAT HOLDS THE PARK PAWL PIVOT PIN MAY HAVE A CASTING POROSITY. THIS CONDITION, COUPLED WITH NORMAL OPERATING STRESSES, COULD LEAD TO FAILURE, ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION...
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A NON-LEVEL SURFACE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN ITS PATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 SATURN VUE
572 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 SATURN VUE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the dashboard on the passenger’s side. The contact stated that the abnormal grinding sound was also heard while the gear shifter was in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle. 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 leaked out entirely after driving for a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The contact stated that a clamp was added and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Excessive frame rust at 107,000 miles. Major holes and chunks of supporting materials are missing. This is near the rear subframe on both sides of the vahicle. Makes it dangerous to drive and should be recalled by GM
Excessive frame rust at 107,000 miles. Major holes and chunks of supporting materials are missing. This is near the rear subframe on both sides of the vahicle. Makes it dangerous to drive and should be recalled by GM
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. 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 or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,445.
Safety Rating for the 2008 SATURN VUE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 SATURN VUE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 SATURN VUE
General Motors, LLC has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 SATURN VUE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIT5603 — STEERING
This preliminary information explains engineering is investigating an issue where the steering column sensors cannot be learned after the column is replaced.
PI1300A — POWER TRAIN
This preliminary informational bulletin provides technicians information on resetting the change transmission fluid message on Driver Information Center (DIC) after changing the transmission fluid.
PI1300 — POWER TRAIN
This preliminary bulletin provides a procedure on how to reset the Change Transmission Fluid message.
PIT-4697 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
GMC: SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER INOPERATIVE; ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DTC U0155 SYM CODE 00. *PE UPDATED 8/1/11. *PE
PI-0454 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GM: 2008 SATURN VUE. SOME REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A SHIFT CABLE BRACKET THAT DOES NOT ATTACH CORRECTLY. *RM
SB-09206 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SATURN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. HEATER CORE LEAK-MODIFY HOUSES. MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A HEATER CORE THAT COULD EVENTUALLY FRACTURE DUE TO PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS WITHIN THE HEATER CORE. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE UPDATED 6/21/11. *PE
SB-09206 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
SATURN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. HEATER CORE LEAK-MODIFY HOUSES. MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A HEATER CORE THAT COULD EVENTUALLY FRACTURE DUE TO PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS WITHIN THE HEATER CORE. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE UPDATED 6/21/11. *PE
RB-10135 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
SATURN CHEVROLET SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. LOSS OF HYBRID FUNCTION-REPLACE BATTERIES. THE HYBRID FUNCTION ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE IN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND/OR SERVICE HYBRID MESSAGE IN DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, THE ENGINE WILL RUN IN GASOLINE ENGINE MODE AND...
SB-09-08-57-001 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
SATURN/CHEVROLET: WATER IS COLLECTING IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER FOOT WELL AREAS. THIS WATER INTRUSION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED IN THE BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR HINGE PILLAR. *PE
SB-09-08-57-001 — STRUCTURE
SATURN/CHEVROLET: WATER IS COLLECTING IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER FOOT WELL AREAS. THIS WATER INTRUSION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LOCATED IN THE BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR HINGE PILLAR. *PE
Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 SATURN VUE
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2008 SATURN VUE.
Investigation PE09016 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Closed
Opened:
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
Other Model Years of the SATURN VUE
- 2003 SATURN VUE — 872 complaints
- 2004 SATURN VUE — 360 complaints
- 2005 SATURN VUE — 215 complaints
- 2006 SATURN VUE — 433 complaints
- 2007 SATURN VUE — 417 complaints
- 2008 SATURN VUE (current)
- 2009 SATURN VUE — 171 complaints
- 2010 SATURN VUE — 9 complaints
Other SATURN Models
- SATURN ION — 5,467 total complaints
- SATURN SL — 2,891 total complaints
- SATURN AURA — 2,222 total complaints
- SATURN OUTLOOK — 1,939 total complaints
- SATURN LS — 1,885 total complaints
- SATURN SKY — 623 total complaints
- SATURN SC1 — 554 total complaints
- SATURN SC — 379 total complaints