How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Saturn Vue model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

2002: 180 owner complaints, Worthy

Our take: only with records and an inspection. Owners filed 1.8 times the complaints of a typical year of this model.

Year verdict

Maybe

1.8× a typical year

More owner complaints than usual. Buy only with records and an inspection.

Confidence: Medium

NHTSA did not answer for 21 years, so the typical year may shift.

NHTSA did not answer for 21 years, so this may change.

Past 100,000 miles

Locked

How this year held up past 100,000 miles.

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How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 111 complaints, the median of 7 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2007; this one had 202.

Same car, better year: 2007 or 2009 Vue (both Worthy)

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Odometer check

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WhipWorthy sticker

2008 Saturn Vue

Complaints406From owners
Loading owner complaints
Recalls3On file
Loading recalls
NHTSA did not answer just now, so we cannot show crash ratings. Try again in a minute. You can also check it on their site.
Loading crash ratings
MPG17 to 28Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every Vue year

Car report

Park this car in My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $2,300 to $3,800 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

406 complaints; the part named most is the transmission and drivetrain

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Nov 26, 2007 to Apr 24, 2026. 41% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 16 crashes, 11 fires and 14 injuries in these complaints.

Transmission and drivetrain120 · 30%Usually costly to fix
Electrical88 · 22%
Steering86 · 21%

What one owner wrote about the transmission and drivetrain

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

Filed Dec 30, 2024NHTSA complaint 116332601 of 18 owner quotes

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15 more parts, and 18 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2008 Saturn Vue, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Engine, Body and frame.

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SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Vue. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

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Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2008 Saturn Vue, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

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Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

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Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2008 Saturn Vue, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

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When problems show up

Transmission and drivetrain: the middle complaint around 70,000 miles

The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 108 complaints of 406 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.

Transmission and drivetrainCostly45,000 to 105,000 mi
Half of these 35 complaints came between about 45,000 and 105,000 miles, the middle one around 70,000.

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Mileage for 2 more parts

The mileage band for every part owners name, and your car's miles laid across them.

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SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Vue. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

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3 problem zones to lay against your loan, 1 usually costly

See the month of your loan each one lands in, and what you would still owe then.

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Recalls

3 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Doors, locks and latches
Jun 25, 2009 · Recall 09V233000
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.
What can happen
Driving with an unlatched door could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.
The fix
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.
Steering
Sep 17, 2008 · Recall 08V470000
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.
What can happen
The fluid could contact hot exhaust components resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.
The fix
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 <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Transmission and drivetrain
May 5, 2008 · Recall 08V200000
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.
What can happen
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.
The fix
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 <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Vue. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Crash ratings

NHTSA did not answer

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight. The tests changed for 2011 models, so these stars do not line up with newer ones.

NHTSA did not answer just now, so we cannot show crash ratings for this car. Try again in a minute. You can also check it on their site.

Fuel economy

17 to 28 mpg combined, across 7 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in.

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
Vue AWD · 4 wheel or all wheel drive · Regular gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
22 mpg
Combined
18 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
Vue AWD · 4 wheel or all wheel drive · Regular gas
City
15 mpg
Highway
22 mpg
Combined
17 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,800
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
Vue AWD · 4 wheel or all wheel drive · Regular gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
22 mpg
Combined
18 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,550
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
Vue FWD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
24 mpg
Combined
19 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,400
This one on fueleconomy.gov

Show 3 more versions

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
Vue FWD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
19 mpg
Highway
26 mpg
Combined
22 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,900
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
Vue FWD · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
16 mpg
Highway
23 mpg
Combined

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Oct 26, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

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What it really costs to own

What the 2008 Saturn Vue costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

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Every year of the Vue

6 Worthy, 1 Maybe, 1 Pass, of 9 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the Vue

NHTSA did not answer for 28 years, so the chart may be missing some.

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the Vue. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the transmission and drivetrain

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 3 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the transmission and drivetrain. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look hard at the transmission and drivetrain. It is usually costly to fix.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the transmission and drivetrain.
Feel for slipping, hesitation, harsh or late shifts, and shudder at low speed.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
2002	180	Worthy
2003	632	Pass
2004	276	Worthy
2005	170	Worthy
2006	300	Worthy
2007	312	Worthy
2008	406	Maybe
2009	125	Worthy
2010	6	Not judged

The verdict on the 2008 Saturn Vue

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Doors, locks and latches

What can happen

The fix

Steering

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

Fuel economy

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L

True cost to own

Every year of the Vue

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Doors, locks and latches

What can happen

The fix

Steering

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L