NHTSA — Engine Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,733 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.

2009 Saturn Vue engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Saturn Vue Owner Comments

problem #6

Nov 302016

Vue 4-cyl

  • 116,000 miles

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

Driving vehicle around 55mph veered off onto loose gravel. Hit a drain culvert flew into the air, slammed down into a ditch, and hit several cut telephone poles used as landscape decorations with no front air bag deployment. Received medical attention and filed police reports.

- Clearwater, KS, USA

problem #5

Dec 222015

Vue

  • 119,000 miles
The selling dealership lists this vehicles current condition as, "suburb condition." The following inspection comments were provided to me when at this dealership: A) drivers side sun visor broken, doesn't stay in place; B) left front headlight out; C) no heat control (always blowing cold); D) drivers side lumbar adjuster broken off; E) air filter dirty; F) front and rear brakes at 3 mm. Recommend front and rear pads and rotors; G) "small" oil leak near transfer case; H) front sway bar links "rattle" over bumps. An estimate was provided for parts and labor costs, but did not include parts and labor costs for fixing the heat or the engine leak(s). Also, labor costs were not provided for repairing the lumbar support. The total cost for these repairs is several thousand dollars. Based on these inspection results, and my own observation (I.e. the tires dot dates and wear indicate instability in cars performance and safety), the current condition of this vehicle is not "suburb."

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #4

Sep 082015

Vue

  • 134,000 miles
The check engine lights was supposed to be due to a catalytic converter was a sure fix, I paid 700 to replace and a day after picking up from my mechanic it is doing it again. It was hesitant at first but then it started again and got worse. The RPM accelerating but speedometer slowing down. I took it back to my mechanic, he read something to me about the replacement of converter, it said to drive it for 1 hour at high speeds to burn off inside the new converter, reset the light which should fix the problem. I had already driven for 1 hour because I live an hour away. I head home and as I'm getting on the entrance ramp to I-75 something came through my vents and in my throat and chest and I start coughing really bad and tightness in chest. I got up to 55mph and the truck started jerking and I noticed the brake pedal was down to the floor and my brakes locked up. It will not go more than 20-30mph. I pulled over to the shoulder and while still in drive the truck will not move. Check engine, ABS and traction lights came on. I called mechanic and he suggested I roll down my windows and get some air because I was coughing so bad and have it towed to be safe. Called onstar and now ABS codes, told to take in for service within 7 days, I advised her cannot drive over 20mph and requested a tow. A state trooper stopped to assist me, said to get in safer place so he held traffic and drove behind me to get off interstate while I wait for tow truck. 7:32pm in the midst of rush hour traffic and 50 miles from home. I was horrified! I waited 2 hours for a tow that never showed, had to get a ride home again. Eventually got vehicle to a GM dealer. I rcvd a call from the service dept with a quote of $5K of repairs to include a brake job because rear pads were metal to metal. Had brakes checked 1week before and had 30% left, leads me to believe it was brake dust making me sick.

- Calhoun, GA, USA

problem #3

Feb 282015

Vue 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

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

I was driving on the highway, cruising at 70 in the far left hand lane, and suddenly my vehicle speed dropped to 40 mph and error codes started flashing on the dash (decrease engine, engine, stability track system, traction control, and others I don't remember). With semi trucks and a high volume of traffic behind me and blowing their horns, I attempted to change lanes in an effort to pull over on the right shoulder as Georgia law states...but it would not accelerate and continued to decrease. It was by the grace of god that I did not get hit by the vehicles and semi trucks slamming on their brakes to avoid hitting me. I nearly missed the off ramp. Off on the exit ramp was not able to make the light so pulled over to right side. My car made a high pitched sound like it does when I really step on the gas, it was revving and now pulling forward. It continued to make this noise while I was at a stop light, not moving, tried putting it in neutral, park, nothing would make the revving stop. Finally, light turned green and the car jerked me forward but then would not accelerate again as I attempted to make it to the gas station off the exit. I pulled into the lot and again when I braked to put in reverse to park it started revving high and jerked forward again then backwards. I turned off the car and let sit 10 minutes. Turned it on, it would not go away the engine was in revving so high I thought it might blow. I turn the engine off and had the vehicle towed from 30+ miles away from home.

- Calhoun, GA, USA

problem #2

Jan 062015

Vue 6-cyl

  • 84,400 miles
I turned the corner to enter my street, there is a slight "S" curve to enter my street. I was no more than 50 yards from the corner when my vehicle revved loudly, RPM to 3500 and accelerated, I managed to avoid more damaged than was done, but in the interim I hit a 3' tall brick mail box and caused damage to my vehicle. The gentleman whose mail box I hit suggested I research recalls, - and I found a ton of "like" incidences with these vehicles and transmissions. It is amazing no one has been killed. General consensus is GM is not taking responsibility for these situations. GM knows the transmission is defective, but refuses to address the issue. People have been left stranded with a non working vehicle and still owing money for this. There is evidence of failure on a continual basis, but GM is abandoning the cause. Disgusting since we the tax payers bailed them out with their sub standard product!

- Orange Park , FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 062013

Vue 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
Going onto 105 fwy, noticed smoke from rear view mirror, pedestrian waving me down, 2 people came up w/ext. Fire in engine car went up immediately, found there was recall of hose becoming lose that can cause fire in cab, ins. Determined this is what happened, went through GM, rep. Saying there not sure what there going to do, I would think they would stand by there name and replace my vehicle, I had just dropped my daughter off before the fire started and barely escaped myself. I will be seeking legal council if I'm not happy with GM solution. I would really like to settle with GM as I told rep.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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