My 2008 saturn vue hybrid started having huge problems. First the air conditioner started blowing hot air then the stabilititrak and service hybrid system; loss power warning came on along with the check engine light. My 2008 saturn vue hybrid would power down to 50% before engine shuts down. Sometimes it restarts then shuts down again. It did this off and on for about a few weeks. Sometimes vehicle refused to start and when I attempted to turn key it seemed like was stuck inside making it hard to turn or remove it. The mechanic replaced the battery and even hybrid battery and it was fine for some time. However today 10/14/14 in the middle lane of brooklyn queens expressway (busy highway) in new york city the automobile started to stall at 45 MPH and the stabilititrak and service hybrid system, loss power warning came on along with the check engine light then suddenly engine shut down. Fortunately no accident occurred and cars behind me were able to maneuver while I was able to drift over to curbside. Can you imagine if my car stalled at the crossroads? I was having my wife and (xxx) years old child in the car traveling with me. They started to have a panic attack because it seemed we are going to crash and die. I called towing company to tow us to safety. I'm scared to drive this car since. Please help and assist to push gm to take responsibility and recall the issue in order to avoid more serious casualties. *trparts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The worst 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical6
- Transmission3
- Airbags2
- Driver assistance2
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical6
- Transmission3
- Airbags2
- Driver assistance2
- Engine1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Outside door handles stick unlatched
By letter dated june 23, 2009, general motors notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall number 09v233) to replace the outside door handles on certain model year 2008 saturn vue vehicles. The exterior door handle on certain model year 2008 saturn vue vehicles can stick in the unlatched position.the door may open while the vehicle is in motion. The agency opened its investigation based on two complaints of door latch failure that caused the door to open while the vehicle was in motion.the agency also received early warning (ewr) reports on this issue.certain model year 2008 saturn vue vehicles have painted body-color outside door handles that may stick or bind.if this were to occur, the door may not latch when closed.driving with an unlatched door could result in an occupant falling partly or fully out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.based on the above safety recall, this investigation is closed.
PE09016
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid 153
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field...
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
What 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When attempting to drive the car it would only move in reverse. It was pushed to a local gm dealer and the service center concluded that the transmission needed replacement. The announcement about the recall of 2008 saturn vues for the power train:automatic transmission issued on 5/6/2008 was not mentioned by the dealer when the vehicle was purchased new in 7/2008 and was not subsequently received by the owner. The "my gm" website for gm vehicle owners does not recognize the vehicle VIN when it is entered, and thus provides no information on recalls for the vehicle. However, the VIN is recognized as valid on this site, indicating that the VIN is contained in state records.
First off I have had this issue from the beginning. Basically my car's electrical system pulls back and then all the lights start to go off. Elec stability control, air bags, the steering sort of locks up and I have stalled on occasion. I have had my car in the shop numerous times re: this issue and it never seems to get fixed. It sounds like the same issue gm is having with their current recall but my car is not on the list. I have only one key on my key chain and that does not seem to make any difference. It is a very uncomfortable feeling not knowing if my car will work tomorrow. Delillo chevrolet in hunting beach, ca has been very helpful in trying to detect the problem and they have been very gracious but I need the issue resolved once and for all. My intention is to hand down this car to my 16 year old but not if the current issue persists.
Air bag and indicator lights turn on and off sporadically. Dealership was finally able to identify the issue to the passenger side airbag, which they stated would not deploy in an accident. Stated this was a safety issue but they would not make the repair under a warranty or recall.
After stopping to park the ignition switch cannot be turned to the off position nor can the key be removed. The car cannot be turned off as the key is stuck in the "on" position. Various methods such as moving the transmission selector from d to p, with or without the brake pedal depressed fail to allow the key to be removed. The issue occurs regardless of the set of keys used. The only solution is to leave the car in that position and return to it later and it corrects itself and allows the key to be turned to off and then removed. This forces me to leave the car unlocked with the key in it while using the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn vue hybrid. While driving approximately 10 MPH a vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The contact had back pain but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was taken to an auto shop for repair. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt did not properly restrain him. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had an inspector come out to inspect the vehicle. The inspector stated that the front driver side seat belt assembly would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
A/c compressor clutch assembly missing. Seems the compressor builds up too much pressure and blows the clutch assembly off making the A/C inoperable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn vue hybrid. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the stability track warning light illuminated. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or a local mechanic for repairs. In addition, the contact state that the hybrid battery was leaking fluids. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 saturn vue hybrid. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact stated that the electrical system failed without warning. The vehicle was repaired by an authorized dealer. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the vehicle would be safe to drive after the repairs. The current mileage was 49,580. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 saturn vue hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle would move into hybrid mode and suddenly shut off whenever the vehicle was stopped. The vehicle seemed to try and restart although the engine was already on. The contact turned the vehicle off and tried to restart it; the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the battery back needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000. Updated 12/30/10 *bf updated 01/10/11.
Compare the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid
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Questions about the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid
Is the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid, close to a typical Vue Hybrid model year.
What is the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid year score?
The 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid scores 67 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn Vue Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid?
Electrical system, with 6 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles. Next is transmission (3).
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid have?
No recalls on record.
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