NHTSA — Service Brakes Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,520 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Saturn Vue brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Saturn Vue Owner Comments

problem #18

Aug 092018

Vue

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Every time I am driving the ABS brakes will start engaging even though I'm not hitting the brakes. The ABS and both traction lights come on. They also engage while I am trying to stop even though I am not on wet/icy roads. No one has been able to figure out the fix for this. We have checked and replaced everything.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #17

Jan 112017

Vue

  • 190,000 miles
Brakes lockup when driving. ABS braking system light comes on. Took it to dealer and they said nothing was wrong. Numerous complaints on the internet. Brakes locked up again after taking to dealer. Please help!! car was in motion at normal speeds 55 mph when this has happened on 3 occasions.

- La Vergne, TN, USA

problem #16

Oct 092017

Vue 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving 60 mph, the brakes applied automatically without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (airport Chevrolet, 3001 biddle rd, medford, or 97504), but the failure could not be diagnosed due to lack of failure codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 8/3/18

- Central Point, OR, USA

problem #15

Jun 222017

Vue

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Around June 22, 2017he anti-lock brake system ABS, traction control tc/esp elec. Stability, AWD all-wheel drive, and brake warning and indicator lights stay on and will not reset according to the manual indicating the systems are not functioning/powered on and/or not working properly. On May 9, 2017 scott automotive put new brakes on the car. They could not get a reading from the ABS/tc control system and suggested taking it to a dealer - it would not communicate. A tire pressure light came on as well and later in the week, carter auto repair replaced the tire pressure sensor and stated with the correct reading equipment the ABS/tc still was not communicating and also suggested having GM perform a reading. GM technicians' online responses to forum complaints of 2008 Saturn Vue (and other models) stability track system and transmission issues lead me to believe GM is aware of the problems but have yet to take recall action to address them. The vehicle runs through a self-check of the sensors when the car is parked with only the AWD light blinking and the normal all lights flash on the dash and then the brake, ABS, both tc/esp lights come on and stay on and the AWD light continues to blink. From what I have read, the traction control/electronic stability and ABS are not on and working so I am hoping when I take the car to GM on Wednesday they will offer to replace the vehicle because I purchased this vehicle for my mother because it has a 5-star safety rating and it is no longer safe for her to drive if she is in an accident and the brakes lock up and she skids across the highway.

- Eden, NC, USA

problem #14

May 142017

Vue

  • 150,430 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While the contact's wife was exiting the interstate at approximately 60 mph, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed. The contact, a certified mechanic, discovered that the brake lines had a hole due to improper routing of the brake line. The contact diagnosed that the brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,430.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #13

Jun 112016

Vue

  • 100,000 miles
I have lights on the instrument panel to indicate an issue with the braking system ABS and stability response to my vehicle. The technician at ntb stated my wiring harness is corroded. To me this is not a normal thing to have general maintenance. There is no current recalls noted for this and something needs to be done. Although I can still brake the car.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #12

Aug 052015

Vue

  • 56,178 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle shook and lost power. The check engine, traction control, and anti lock brake system indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled into a parking space and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who replaced and reprogrammed the ECM. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure recurred after one and half years. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed. The dealer replaced the transmission solenoid control circuit and reprogrammed the transmission module. The failure mileage was 56,178.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #11

Dec 122016

Vue 6-cyl

  • miles
First was the parking brake, after shopping in williamsburg mall we got back in the car and would not move, the parking brakes got stuck.towed to mechanic and they released the brake so that we could go back home, richmond. And told me not to engage the parking brake till a mechanic in my city will fix the problem. Today Dec 12 2016, the brakes started to lock while drivin home after taking my wife to work, within the city, I noticed that the pedal was getting harder, I did made home and I checked the wheels, all four, and the disks were very hot to the touch and the brakes are locked, the car is about 58,000 miles only. Any idea what is, I have to mention that 5/6 month ago I had problem with the ABS, all lights concerning the brakes came on, traction and ABS and others, it cost me around $300 to fix that problem. Any knowledge of other people having these problems, is the manufacturer responsible for these? also the power steering fluid need to be filled every month, I notice oil on the driveway. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #10

Oct 312016

Vue

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 40 mph, the traction control indicator illuminated and the front brakes seized. The vehicle slowed down without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Delburn, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 042016

Vue

  • 150,000 miles
While in motion the front brakes started to engage themselves. Vehicle did not want to move very well.vehicle slowed down quickly when letting off the gas pedal came to a stop without pressing the brake. Pulled over and both front wheels were smoking.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #8

Aug 012015

Vue

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving at any speed, the brakes seized, all of the calibers seized, and the anti-skid and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was contamination in the brake fluid. As a result, the brake pads, the hoses, and the brake fluid were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however; the contact stated that the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the brake fluid was flushed and the booster and master cylinder were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #7

May 072015

Vue

  • 103,000 miles
The breaks lock up and the car won't accelerate, the car eventually stops moving. The break petal gets extremely hot.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #6

Feb 172015

Vue 4-cyl

  • 79,432 miles
Our 2008 Saturn Vue xe recently started locking up the ABS and brakes while driving. It happens in stop and go traffic and most frighteningly at freeway speeds. The vehicle will apply the brakes at will for no reason and the ABS and traction control indicators come on. We have had the vehicle serviced multiple times and we have replaced all brake hardware and the issue still exists. We have done countless hours of research and have found that hundreds of Saturn, Chevrolet, and commodore vehicles exhibit the same issues and General Motors dealerships do not even have an answer. The vehicle brake issues render the vehicle inoperable and cause immediate slowness and inability to maneuver on the freeway when it locks up. We cannot use the vehicle and have exhausted all resources and options trying to fix the issue. It cannot be traded in with these issues either. Can somebody investigate possible recalls or dealer solutions so we can feel safe driving...with or without our small children. Please help.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 062013

Vue

  • 65,314 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the brakes seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the master cylinder had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,314.

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 282014

Vue

  • 56,000 miles
My wife is the primary driver of the vehicle and has been complaining that the vehicle feels sluggish like driving through quicksand and that the stabilitrak lights have been coming on every so often.today I drove the Vue to work and in that 17 mile drive I experienced extreme shaking like a flat tire or an unbalanced rim. I got off the exit and examined the vehicle ensuring that no tires were flat and that no lug nuts were loose. I did notice that the rims felt extremely hot but seeing as I had driven on the highway, thought nothing of it. I called onstar to do a diagnosis and was informed that two tires were a little low. I continued to work and returned home with no incident. After work on the same day we were on our way to do some shopping and as soon as the vehicle was turned on, the 2 stabilitrak lights did not turn off. We called onstar and was told that there was an issue with the stabilitrak but not brakes and that it should be serviced within the next 7 days. I did some research online and saw that there are numerous complaints about this same issue with the dealers not knowing how to resolve it but charging consumers anyways. I am very concerned that this is going the same route as the ignition recall and is going to take more than a decade before the issue is addressed. I fear for my safety as well as that for my family.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #3

May 022014

Vue 4-cyl

  • 234,000 miles
I was driving down fm 1960 I saw white smoke coming from under the hood and through the vents. I turned off the air condition; then grey smoke start being visible from the under the hood. I came to a yellow light and tried to brake but the brakes did not work. When I was able to get the truck to stop, a cloud of black smoke came from the glove compartment and floor board areas. I exited the vehicle and about 30 seconds later the flames engulfed the truck.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

Oct 122012

Vue

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond to acceleration attempts. The contact mentioned that the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who replaced the ABS module, wire harness, and the driver side brake sensor but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Dousman, WI, USA

problem #1

Aug 282013

Vue

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the traction control and emergency brake warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The failure became permanent over a period of time. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where both rear brakes were replaced. In addition, the rotors were resurfaced. The failure persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they informed the contact that the failure could possibly be related to the brake pressure modulator valve. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- Grand Rapid, MI, USA

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