10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,827 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Saturn Vue Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #86

Feb 132019

Vue

  • 123,000 miles

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

Since we have had this vehicle the transmission keeps messing up. The transmission slips after it is put in gear. Once put in gear and the accelerator pedal is pressed there is lag between the sound of the engine RPM increasing and the gears engaging and the car taking off. The vehicle also rolls backwards a worrying amount when it is placed in park. Also when you go to drive the vehicle doesn't wan to go out of the low gear. This has happened not once or twice this is consistent. We have kept it maintained since we bought it. The most recent was just 2 days ago.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #85

Nov 022018

Vue

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the transmission failed. While the vehicle was stationary in the park position, the vehicle rolled forward. The contact applied the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. While the vehicle was stationary in the reverse position, the vehicle was able to move partially and stopped. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move any further in the reverse position. In addition, the rpms increased rapidly on more than one occasion and the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 30 mph. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

problem #84

Jun 192018

Vue

  • 94,000 miles
Vehicle rolls while in park.

- Southington, CT, USA

problem #83

Mar 122018

Vue

  • 110,000 miles

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

Was driving at about 20 mph and it stuck in first gear. Check engine light came on and it won't shift gears. I am now without a car. Its code PO700 and PO752. The first is transmission controller and the later is shift solenoid. Typically happens when wave plate breaks. Car is paid for and I like it. Cannot afford to replace transmission. I am disabled now without wheels and no way to fix it. Is it a recall" can the Agency help fix it"

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #82

Mar 122018

Vue

  • 110,000 miles
Was driving and transmission stuck in 1st gear. Has been sticking in first gear. It was diagnosed as code PO700 and PO752. The first is transmission controller and the later one is shift solenoid stuck. Typically happens when the wave plate breaks. I am disabled and now without a vehicle. I loved the car. Is there anything you can do to help me fix it.

- Chico, CA, USA

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problem #81

May 142018

Vue

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a banging noise and the vehicle began to shake. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The dealer (fike Chevrolet, 213 main street, masontown, Pennsylvania 15461) was contacted by phone. The vehicle was not taken in for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: 8-416-234-5315. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Greensboro, PA, USA

problem #80

Jan 172018

Vue

  • 105,000 miles

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

Vehicle won't shift gears one I get to third. Was not notified of wave plate special warranty and now I'm 4000 miles past accepted miles. GM suggests that I wait until full recall is forced on them. Please help

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #79

Nov 042017

Vue

  • 65,000 miles
Over the past year and half I've had numerous electrical issues. Head lights dimming and flashing at very high intervals almost like a dim strobe. Radio not turning on. Interior lights not coming on. Odometer light dims. Random dinging noise. Turn signal not always working or working sporadically. Front windshield wipers not always coming on and when they do it's sporadic. Rear windshield not coming on but will after an engine restart. Key stuck in the ignition. Hazard lights not working when engine is off. All this has happened slowly over the last year and half. I've replaced the battery twice and have had it in the shop multiple times and they can't find an issue. Everyone with these problems will tell you that a mechanic can't run a test for the problem if it's not happening at that time. We also all know too well these problems come and go very quickly and sometimes temporarily fix themselves with just an engine restart, driving over a bump (which also brings on the issues) or shaking the wire harness on top of the battery. So taking it to a shop to run a test is almost meaningless unless towed and even then it's not 100% chance you're going to get a code(s) to read. The last few months the problems have gotten worse. The big occurrence came when I was just two minutes down the road from where I live, I had the Vue not start up or even turn over and the key was locked in the ignition. I opened up the hood, tapped once on the black box on top of the battery and the Vue started dinging and was able to turn the vehicle on. I then drove to my house and the vehicle completely shut off on me and restarted twice within that two min drive. I lost total power and very limited control of the steering wheel. This issue has been brought up and complained about hundreds of times on the internet and has yet to be investigated. Please investigate this electrical issue. -11.4.17

- Lexington, OH, USA

problem #78

Nov 012017

Vue

  • 113,868 miles
My car is having a problem thats on the recall list but my VIN# dont match. 1.transmission case porosty park power my driveway is on a hill and when it snows ill come outside and find my car at the bottom of the hill and then its hard to get it back up the hill even gunning it up does not work so ill leave it down there. 2. when the ground is wet from rain or snow I get stuck at the stop light I have to gun it to move the wheels spin out then I can go.3. the stick that control the drive/parking gets stuck ill have to turn my car off and back on or pump the brakes couple times real hard to unlock the stick. Ive had my car since 2015 of April so it happens in at the winters and rainy days since then to now. Thank you

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #77

Feb 142009

Vue

  • 2,500 miles
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

- Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #76

Feb 192017

Vue

  • 89,000 miles

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

Traveling at 80 mph on interstate, stepped on gas to change lanes, and engine revved, but no power to move. Had to run off of the highway onto the grass berm. Before that happened, the steering wheel had been acting strangely - much vibration and play. My sister and I could have been killed had the car overturned or something at that speed. Now I am told the car needs new transmission, struts, and power steering issue still being looked at. Can I get any help from GM dealer with this dangerous issue. I read that these exact issues affected my model and year, with recalls. Please investigate and advise.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #75

Aug 052015

Vue

  • 56,178 miles
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 #74

Jan 202017

Vue

  • 49,000 miles
While driving car dropped down to low gear and the rpms reved up car will not shift out of low gear car only has 49,000 miles on it can we be reimbursed from

- Carteret, NJ, USA

problem #73

Jan 202017

Vue

  • miles
Car dropped down to low gear while driving and rpms reved

- Carteret, NJ, USA

problem #72

Jan 122017

Vue

  • 143,586 miles
Reference # 10945589, forgot to mention vehicle is not and has not show warning light about this.... exp..no check engine...

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #71

Jan 121982

Vue 4-cyl

  • 143,586 miles
Once I start driving my automatic 2008 Saturn Vue after a couple of minutes it will not accelerate much. Its like the shifts get stuck around 3rd or so and it smells like burn.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #70

Jan 032017

Vue 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
There was a recall bulletin issued for my model year vehicle: 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. This has also happened while the car is idling, and while traveling at low speeds off the highway. I understand that only certain vins are involved in certain recalls, but since the problem in the recall bulletin linked above is happening to our vehicle and our vehicle's VIN is not listed, I am concerned there could be others that are not aware of this and could become seriously injured when the vehicle shuts off.

- La Grange, KY, USA

problem #69

Oct 282016

Vue

  • 125,844 miles
Was driving the car and it failed to shift from 1st gear (car kept moving but the rpms went way up). Check engine light came on and codes P0700, P0752 and P0989 were pulled from the car. Mechanic looked at the car and it had to be sent to a transmission shop. The transmission shop rebuilt the transmission which included a failed wave plate. The new wave plate is much more robust than the original one. Car was at 125,844 miles when work completed. Contacted GM about the special coverage this this transmission. The GM special coverage is for 10 years or 120,000 miles. Unfortunately our Saturn would not be covered reimbursed by GM even though the wave plate failure is a known problem by GM. GM said that anything above 120,000 miles is considered normal wear and tear even though it is a known issue.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #68

Aug 232016

Vue

  • 130,000 miles
Driving down the road and the car began having issues shifting gears. Pulled over and checked my fluids. Proceeded to continue driving and the car will not shift into reverse. Had to call for a tow. The car is now parked.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #67

May 242016

Vue

  • 79,167 miles
My transmission wave plate shattered in my 2008 Saturn Vue. I was driving home when the wave plate shattered. I had the vehicle fixed at a third party auto shop as I was not aware that GM had extended the transmission warranty to 3/20/2018 or 120,055 miles which ever occurred first. My wave plate broke on 5/24/2016 at 79167 miles on the vehicle. I have denied reimbursement sating I did not submit by receipts by the expatriation date. When I inquired on what that date was I was informed they had no idea. I will continue to fight this until I am rightfully reimbursed for these repairs per the extended transmission warranty that GM put out for the known wave plate issue. I have attached my original email chain with Saturn/GM customer service that indicates the extend transmission warranty date and mileage and the my vehicles VIN qualified, my reconsideration letter after first denial and receipt of the repair work that was completed. All I am looking for is to rightfully reimbursed by GM for the extended transmission warranty they put in place for a known issue with there vehicles.

- Blaine, MN, USA

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