The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Saturn Vue
- Steering rack / power steering8 complaintsmostly at 85,000–90,000 miles (137,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 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
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 08V616000 (steering) and 08V470000 (steering) 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 rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Saturn sent dealers 1023 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant)”?
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 15 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 17K to 53K miles (27K to 85K km) on the car (14 of all 15 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.
Problems Saturn told dealers about
Saturn sent dealers 1023 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant)
- Ei08308-ses light on, dtc p069e, extended crank time, fuel pump control module
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/pontiac/saturn/suzuki: all wheel drive system inoperative and dtc c0550 set
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 2,149 MY 2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES.
- Steering · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 42,408 MY 2008-2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES.
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,350 (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. 2009 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 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-vue/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Saturn Vue reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Saturn Vue reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Saturn Vue problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (40%), body structure (20%) and equipment & accessories (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Saturn Vue have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Saturn Vue get?
18 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Saturn Vue have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Saturn Vue cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Saturn Vue have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Saturn Vue year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). 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