AI Damage2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 57% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electronic stability control 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (57% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autonation chevrolet north richland hills (7769 boulevard 26, north richland hills, tx) where it was diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced.
While driving approximately 25-30 mph, the front driver's side tire experienced a blowout. The contact stated that the side curtain air bag deployed without warning. There were no injuries.
Hybrid batteries are full of corrosion and most likely leaking. Saw some stuff about a possible recall on this.
This drains the battery to the point of obtaining a dead battery. Have taken the car to the dealership and had a new key cylinder put on. Key still gets stuck. New additional parts on order for 230.00 waiting to find out if this fixes this problem.
The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the engine stalled. The failure recurred seven times where the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn vue hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle did not accelerate in a timely manner. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the occurrence was a normal reaction for the vehicle.
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 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the VUE Hybrid has 15 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- 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.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, electronic stability control. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: battery drain (29%), A/C or heater (14%), overheating, coolant loss (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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.