Is the 2008 Saturn Vue a bad year?
406 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 120, 5× a quiet Vue year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2008 Saturn Vue were filed between 48k and 104k miles. You're at 73,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Vue owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 73,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 120 (30%) | 48k–104k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 86 (21%) | 70k–133k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 48 (12%) | 41k–113k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 88 (22%) | 57k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 25 (6%) | 53k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 23 (6%) | 40k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 22 (5%) | 56k–121k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 18 (4%) | 55k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 15 (4%) | 45k–99k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 15 (4%) | 66k–134k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (3%) | 40k–100k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 73,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 406 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle had no reverse and had the feeling of missed gears. Found 3-5-R went out and the wave plate snapped and had to have the transmission replaced as it was too costly to have it repaired.
Shortly after departing our home on october 27, 2013, our 2008 Saturn Vue vehicle began to exhibit hard shifting, over-revving before finally "Clunking" Into gears.
Vehicle won't shift gears one I get to third. Was not notified of wave plate special warranty and now I'm 4000 miles past accepted miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 73,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Saturn Vue: 3
The outside door handles 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 unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.
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. The fluid could contact hot exhaust components resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Saturn: 294
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Saturn Vue. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Outside door handles stick unlatched
Neighbouring years
2007 Vue: 286 complaints, keep it · 2009 Vue: 118 complaints, keep it.
Every Saturn Vue year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All Vue years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn Aura · Saturn ION · Saturn LS · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Sky. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Saturn Vue a bad year?
406 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 120, 5× a quiet Vue year. At 73,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2008 Saturn Vue were filed between 48k and 104k miles. You're at 73,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Vue?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (120), steering (86), engine (48), electrical system (88), air bags (25). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 48k–104k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Latches and locks (NHTSA 09V-233), Steering (NHTSA 08V-470), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 08V-200). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.