AI Damage2008 Saturn VUE Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Saturn VUE Hybrid filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 55% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 27% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 18% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 18% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 9% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (55% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the driver side seat belt did not properly restrain him. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had an inspector come out to inspect the vehicle. The inspector stated that the front driver side seat belt assembly would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.
First the air conditioner started blowing hot air then the stabilititrak and service hybrid system; loss power warning came on along with the check engine light. My 2008 saturn vue hybrid would power down to 50% before engine shuts down. Sometimes it restarts then shuts down again.
When attempting to drive the car it would only move in reverse. It was pushed to a local gm dealer and the service center concluded that the transmission needed replacement.
Elec stability control, air bags, the steering sort of locks up and I have stalled on occasion. I have had my car in the shop numerous times re: this issue and it never seems to get fixed. It sounds like the same issue gm is having with their current recall but my car is not on the list.
Air bag and indicator lights turn on and off sporadically. Dealership was finally able to identify the issue to the passenger side airbag, which they stated would not deploy in an accident. Stated this was a safety issue but they would not make the repair under a warranty or recall.
A/c compressor clutch assembly missing. Seems the compressor builds up too much pressure and blows the clutch assembly off making the a/c inoperable.
The contact was driving 25 mph when the stability track warning light illuminated. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or a local mechanic for repairs. In addition, the contact state that the hybrid battery was leaking fluids. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.
While the contact was driving approximately 30 mph, approaching a traffic stop signal, the engine stalled with the "engine" warning light illumination. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the VUE Hybrid has 15 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 11, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn VUE Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, air bags. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (27%), warning lights, check engine (27%), A/C or heater (18%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Saturn VUE Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Saturn VUE Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.