NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,633 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Saturn Vue Owner Comments

problem #11

Jun 292010

Vue

  • 39,000 miles

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

Car shudders & hesitates when RPM's run below 1 1/2 (1500). Induction & injector cleaning, suggested by dealer did not correct problem - at cost of $300. Dealer can not identify problem - no problems found with 'diagnostic scan'.

- Crafton, PA, USA

problem #10

May 052010

Vue

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
Automatic 6 speed transmission not shifting into overdrive. Also, the car rolls when in "park" on an incline.

- Pawnee, IL, USA

problem #9

Mar 052010

Vue

  • 18,286 miles
This is a sturn Vue, 2008 - 6 cyclinder. First 18,000 miles were trouble free. Car shudders and hesitates - does it at any speed and not consistent with running time- tachometer flutters while it is happening. At 2nd visit to dealer to fix problem, told it is a computer transmission problem and no program has been written to correct. Told this is a normal operating problem. Have spoken to Saturn reps at GMC every day since March 15. Car is getting worse- not better, they have offered no hope of any resolution and will not recommend even trying to swap out parts. Keep on telling me the car is safe and will stand by their original warranty of 5 years/100,000 miles on transmission if it fails. Car gets lousy gas mileage since this started - went from 22.5 mpg to 19.5

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jun 012009

Vue

  • 14,589 miles

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

I purchased my Saturn in October, 08. I enjoyed driving my Vue the first couple of months. The past four or five months, I have been experiencing problems. My Saturn stalls when I accelerate. I thought it was the gas, but I found out that was not the problem. I took it back to Saturn in June 09, that stated "they did not see a problem". the take off is so slow and my Vue is still stalling. I need the problem solved. Thanks for your help in this matter.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #7

Nov 122008

Vue

  • 2,800 miles
Saturn sold me a Vue when there was a recall on transmissions and didn't fix or inform me of this issue. I was traveling highway speed when the transmission gave out.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #6

Apr 302008

Vue

  • 200 miles
I bought this car April 23, and the following week I began to have problems. At 200 miles the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the evap canister. But I was also experiencing problems with the automatic transmission trying to switch gears. The vehicle would hesitate when I pressed down on the gas and then it would redline and kick in to the next gear. But it would not stay constant. The vehicle would abruptly downshift on flat ground and on slight grades. The dealership said the problem was fixed, but as I drove off it happened again. I ended up having to schedule another appt for them to look at the vehicle. Then when they looked at it again they said the computer system in the vehicle wasn't working correctly so they said they fixed it. Well when I drove off about 25 miles down the road the problem occurred again. When I try to slow down the brake pedal would go to the floor. I have almost been in a few accidents because of this. The problem occurred at 30mph-60mph. It also rolls back when in the drive way or at a slight incline at a stop sign/light. This vehicle is not safe. Im schedule for another appt. Once again to try and resolve the problem.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #5

May 012008

Vue 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,500 miles

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

2008 Saturn Vue. Consumer experienced minimal downshifting of transmission while traveling on the highways and could not maintain minimum highway speeds.

- Port Huron, MI, USA

problem #4

May 102008

Vue

  • 67,793 miles
Transmission on 2003 Saturn Vue failed.

- Chesterland, OH, USA

problem #3

Apr 202008

Vue

  • 9,791 miles
My 2008 Saturn Vue redline has exhibited near stalling, shuddering, and bucking on three (3) occasions when simply driving down the highway. My fear is that I will be rear ended by another vehicle since there is no warning as to when this event will occur. In an effort to resolve the issue, I contacted two Saturn dealers, neither of whom was able to fix the problem. The second dealer that I contacted informed me that Saturn may now, as of July 5, 2008, have some idea as to the source of the problem, but has no idea how to fix it. For the record, the first occurrence was in April 2008, with two subsequent occurrences in July or 2008. Thank you, hdj

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #2

Apr 182008

Vue 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2008 Saturn Vue with transmission problems. Consumer states that the transmission gears down on a slight incline. He also states that the engine will speed up to about 80 mph before going back to normal speed. The consumer stated the vehicle kicked into gear while using the cruise control. The consumer also stated the gas mileage does not meet the stated highway driving average miles per gallon for a 4 cylinder vehicle.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 242007

Vue 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The car is a 2008 Saturn Vue 4 cylinder automatic with two main safety problems. Problem one is the car will lock you out automatically with the keys in the ignition. Car can be running or shut off. This happened twice with my son in the car. This has happened about 14 times. Luckily I had the windows rolled down and was able to access the car. Saturn has repeated this problem on other Vue and deems it a "normal function" even though the owners manuals says there is a function in the car engineered into it to prevent you from locking your keys in the car accidentally. Again this happens automatically a minute or two after exiting the car. Problem two, transmission abruptly downshifts and accelerates on flat ground or slight grades while in cruise control. This also happens sometimes when cruise controls is disengaged as well. My wife almost lost control of the vehicle one due to this on a curving road going up hill. I almost hit a vehicle when this happened as well. Multiple dates of these problems happening. This is an intermittent problem and happens between 40 and 60 mph. The vehicle has been in the shop 47 days since it has been purchased.

- Jeddo, MI, USA

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