The Lemon Index
2007
20092nd generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
91 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota RAV4 1042008 Honda CR-V 462008 Nissan Rogue 76
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Saturn Vue
- Engine stalling29 complaintsmostly at 39,000–75,000 miles (63,000–121,000 km)
- Transmission failure26 complaintsmostly at 56,000–90,000 miles (90,000–146,000 km)
- Steering rack / power steering19 complaintsmostly at 50,000–111,000 miles (80,000–179,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 417 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Vue (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,300 and 48,000 miles (13,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 72 complaints, of all 91 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09V233000 (latches/locks/linkages), 08V470000 (steering) and 08V200000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Saturn sent dealers 966 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittentstall when coming to a stop or engine chuggles prior to a stop, hybrid dtc p1a6f”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Saturn's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 91 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 48K miles (13K to 77K km) on the car (72 of all 91 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Automatic 6 speed transmission not shifting into overdrive. Also, the car rolls when in "park" on an incline.
2008 Saturn Vue owner · NHTSA complaint 10329168
More owner reports
Car shudders & hesitates when rpm's run below 1 1/2 (1500). Induction & injector cleaning, suggested by dealer did not correct problem - at cost of $300. Dealer can not identify problem - no problems found with 'diagnostic scan'.
NHTSA complaint 10346240
2008 Saturn Vue with transmission problems. Consumer states that the transmission gears down on a slight incline. He also states that the engine will speed up to about 80 mph before going back to normal speed.
NHTSA complaint 10227310
Problems Saturn told dealers about
Saturn sent dealers 966 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittentstall when coming to a stop or engine chuggles prior to a stop, hybrid dtc p1a6f
- Ei08308-ses light on, dtc p069e, extended crank time, fuel pump control module
- An automatic transmission concern of no movement, no reverse or slipping
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2009
GM IS RECALLING 44,451 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES WITH BODY COLOR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES.
- Steering · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 42,408 MY 2008-2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedOutside door handles stick unlatched2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Saturn Vue year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-vue/?y=2008" title="Saturn Vue reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/saturn-vue/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Saturn Vue reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Saturn Vue reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 108; 100 is average, lower is better). The Saturn Vue year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2008 Saturn Vue problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (20%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and doors, locks & latches (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?
3 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Saturn Vue get?
17 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Vue problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,300 and 48,000 miles (13,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 72 complaints, of all 91 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Saturn Vue have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Saturn Vue cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Saturn Vue have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Saturn Vue year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Saturn Vue years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2005 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works