I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in Texas in Fort Worth coming from Arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get off the highway in a safe area I had to drive about 5 more miles up the road to the next exit so I started driving it didn’t smoke right off so a couple of minutes into the drive it starts smoking so I finally get to the exit smoke is now coming through the vents , I hurry and pull over and go to open the door it wouldn’t open I then I climb over and get out the back door I go into the business parking lot at this point it’s engulfed in black smoke and then it starts burning.
The worst 2008 Saturn Vue problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission120
- Electrical88
- Steering86
- Engine51
- Airbags25
- Visibility23
- Brakes22
- Acceleration18
- Driver assistance16
- Body15
- Fuel system11
- Lights11
- Locks10
- Suspension9
- Seat belts8
- Tires3
- Wheels3
- Seats2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Saturn Vue
Check engine light 32Transmission failure 28Power steering loss 23Door locks 19Airbag light 17Stalling 17Won't shift 16ABS 14Won't start 14Loss of power 13Engine failure 12Steering lock-up 12Wipers 12Slipping 10Headlights 9Fire or smoke 8Jerking 8Hesitation 7Warning lights 6Adaptive cruise 5No deployment 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2008 Saturn Vue mention
P0700 4P0776 3P0777 3P2715 3P0716 2P0717 2P2714 2
Recalls 3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 44,451 my 2008 saturn vue vehicles with body color outside door handles. The outside door handles may stick or bind. If this were to occur, the door may not latch when closed.
- Risk
- Driving with an unlatched door could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the outside door handles with chrome door handles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before august 18, 2009. Owner may contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V233000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 42,408 my 2008-2009 saturn vue vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump may loosen. If this were to occur, there may be a power steering fluid leak.
- Risk
- The fluid could contact hot exhaust components resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump. If there are no signs of a fluid leak, dealers will tighten the nut. If a fluid leak is present, dealer will tighten the nut and check the fluid level. The recall began on september 26, 2008. Owners may contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V470000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 26 my 2008 saturn vue vehicles equipped with a 6t70 6-speed automatic transmission. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the transmission case side bore that holds the park pawl pivot pin may have a casting porosity. This condition, coupled with normal operating stresses, could lead to failure, eliminating the ability to secure the transmission in 'park' position.
- Risk
- If this happens while the vehicle is parked on a non-level surface, the vehicle could roll without warning and cause injury to people in its path.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission free of charge. The recall began on may 5, 2008. Owners may contact saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V200000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Saturn Vue
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 966
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- 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
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- 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...
2008 Saturn Vue fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 25 | 32 | 28 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 26 | 22 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23-24 | 19 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
What 2008 Saturn Vue owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
the transmission will not shift out of first gear
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the dashboard on the passenger’s side. The contact stated that the abnormal grinding sound was also heard while the gear shifter was in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle. The contact added power steering fluid to the vehicle; however, the power steering fluid was leaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact stated that the power steering fluid leaked out entirely after driving for a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The contact stated that a clamp was added and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Excessive frame rust at 107,000 miles. Major holes and chunks of supporting materials are missing. This is near the rear subframe on both sides of the vahicle. Makes it dangerous to drive and should be recalled by GM
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V470000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,445.
Alternator I changed the starter I changed the alternator brand new it ran but then it stopped in mid drive and I won't just start and that's how I crashed into something now my car is wreck in the fridge and it won't start and if it does it stops
2008 Saturn vue AWD. Steering wheel is very difficult to turn while driving. There is a lot of resistance. No leaking fluid visible and no visible loss of fluid levels. Transmission was torn down/repaired in 2017 for metal bits present at 95,000 (approximate) miles. It is currently at 107,600 miles. Transmission gets stuck in lower gear and rpms Rev up without the vehicle gaining acceleration. The tear down/rebuild was due to bad 3 5 wave plate also and seems to be replicating the issue again. Check engine light comes on amd goes off intermittently and cannot get issue to replicate at the mechanics. Key has also gotten stuck in the barrel. Took almost 2 hours to try numerous ways to get it to release-also had to unlock manually on the door handle, none of the lights inside worked and when it was able to get started it was very slow and deliberate. Battery appeared to be dead but after jump starting and taking to have it checked, battery was found to be fine. These are serious concerns regarding the vehicle as 1 or all could cause serious damage to the driver and others on the road. It happened again today with the high rpms and low gear/not shifting to next gear.
When you drive the car the transmission fails. less than 48 hours ago I just bought this 2008 Saturn vue certified pre owned and I’ve been reading a lot of review’s about the specific model of car and a lot of other people that have had this car has had the same common experience I will attach a screenshot of what I’m talking about down below I seriously think someone should look into this issue because not only do I think this vehicle isn’t mechanically safe to be sold and driven on the road but the majority of the community that has owned one of these cars would agree to what I have to say
Vehicle seatbelt is fraying on driver side. Tried to cut off the fray, but realized it continues fraying everytime I use the belt. Have called multiple gm dealers as well as the 800 number for GM. From their info and checking websites, the parts for the seatbelts for this model vehicle have been discontinued. this includes the 2008-10 saturn vue and the 2010-2015 chevy captiva (which is the same car). I am shocked that I have to purchase replacement seatbelts from a junkyard or other used method. Seatbelts are something that I should have ability to replace new. Once GM dealer seemed concern and related that they thought that GM had to replace new ones. Another autoshop stated that this was a recall-type problem on some GM vehicles - but mine does not show this sort of thing. First noticed around 9/11/2023. Bought vehicle on 9/9/2023. Thought it was dog or cat hair until I educated myself online and realized the belt is slowly disintegrating.
When driving transmission power train having difficult time changing gears
Compare the 2008 Saturn Vue
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Questions about the 2008 Saturn Vue
Is the 2008 Saturn Vue reliable?
Owners have filed 406 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Vue, 1.5 times a typical Vue model year.
What is the 2008 Saturn Vue year score?
The 2008 Saturn Vue scores 60 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn Vue: 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?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 120 complaints, typically around 73,233 miles. Next is electrical (88).
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?
3 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages, steering and power train.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Saturn Vue transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V200000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Saturn Vue have bad transmission?
The Saturn Vue model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (316 complaints), 2008 (120 complaints) and 2004 (93 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Saturn Vue get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Saturn Vue range from 17 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 25 city and 32 highway.
VIN decoder
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