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2008 Saturn Vue electrical problems

88 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 87,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
88
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
87,000
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    3
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    2
  • Starter assembly
    1
  • Ignition: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Saturn Vue electrical problems in other years

200220032004200520062007200820092010

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Saturn Vue electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 8Warning lights 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2008 Saturn Vue owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

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.

Filed Sep 5, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA · crash · 3 injuries

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

Filed Sep 2, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · NE

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.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 87,000 miles · CA · fire

October 22 2020 my husband and I had purchased a 2008 saturn vue (lic plate # 6ezz507)from a private party. On march 25 2021 the car suddenly engulfed in flames then exploded. My husband managed to exit the vehicle in just seconds before the car exploded. We've come to find out afterwards that this particular year,make,model had been recalled. Is there anything could possibly be done?

Filed Mar 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 216,000 miles · TN · crash · 2 injuries

I push gas pedal no accel then it would take off. I hit a tree from this doing this and sl mm ost got hut by another car from behind

Filed Jun 14, 2020 · Electrical · 179,000 miles · OH

The lights on the dash are sometimes on, sometimes not on or some of the lights come on but not others. We think there is an issue with the electrical/computer system.

Filed Dec 16, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 119,179 miles · NC · fire

Drove to a store .5 miles from my house noticed my car was smoking from under the hood. Drove back home, parked, and turned the car off, then raised the hood and the wire harness by my starter was on fire.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · AZ

For the last year, while driving at low speeds, and while stopped with the engine running, the engine will shut off. It won't restart for a few minutes, sometimes it will restart on first try. The electrical system (I'm guessing) makes a lot of clicking noises-from the engine and inside the car-dashboard lights will flicker, electric door and window lights on driver side door will flicker, airbags, hazards, radio lights will all flicker, and windows won't go up or down, or will slightly, door locks won't operate, etc. Electrical issues started the same night I purchased it sept. 2017 when the electrical system went haywire and the engine died and all the electrical light flickered. The dealer had it hooked up to a battery charger the next day and the battery died. In attempts to start the vehicle, we open and shut doors, try to use electrical functions (windows, door locks etc.), and that seems to help, as after a few minutes it will start, seemingly from opening and closing doors and the hatchback. The doors will not lock via the door lock/unlock button on the key fob. When doors are locked and alarm is set via keyfob (lights will flash and alarm noise will give noise to confirm it), however, the doors will open by just pulling on the handle, and alarm will go off. The steering has a leak that leaks out all the fluid in a day or two, as well.

Filed Nov 25, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 154,000 miles · OH

Vehicle hasn't retained correct amount of fuel. Vehicle has electrical and mechanical issues out of no where. Driver seat has issues that will not allow for the seat to incline but only recline which happened while driving on city street. I'm scared to drive vehicle and I've only had it for almost 2 years.

Filed Oct 5, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · HI

Both headlight wiring melted. Replaced both side headlights and after 2 years the wire harness melted again the parking pawl gets stuck often. When putting the car in reverse the parking pawl gets stuck. Then it will eventually go into reverse but the car jerks and makes a clunking noise. The light issue I've been dealing with for the last 3 years now. The parking pawl issue has been like this for over a year now.

Questions about the 2008 Saturn Vue electrical

Does the 2008 Saturn Vue have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 88 complaints about the electrical of the 2008 Saturn Vue, 22% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Vue electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 87,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Saturn Vue electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Saturn Vue have the most electrical problems?

The Saturn Vue model years with the most electrical complaints are 2007 (128 complaints), 2003 (124 complaints) and 2006 (103 complaints).

Other 2008 Saturn Vue problems

Transmission 120Steering 86Engine 51Airbags 25Visibility 23Brakes 22Acceleration 18Driver assistance 16Body 15Fuel system 11Lights 11Locks 10Suspension 9Seat belts 8Tires 3Wheels 3Seats 2

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