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Engine & cooling

Saturn Vue Engine problems by year

294 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Vue's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20102000
200911220
200851230
200737110
200614000
200517000
200424120
200390200
200248000

Latest Vue engine complaints

2003 Saturn VueTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

This is more information related to Complaint 11761129: After online researching of other '03 2.2L Saturn Vue-owners stalling experiences, it appears that this vehicle has a long history of others like me: an unsafe, unpredictable stalling problem which carries no warnings or logging of error codes to trace the TRUE ORIGIN of problem. (How much did others spend on repairs that appeared to fix the problem by elapsing time enough for the problem to return to normal without the "repair"?) I stress that when all is...

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working fine, the driver feels secure because there's no sign of a problem or trace left of the problem. The vehicle did run for years-at-a-time in a stable, reliable fashion. Once the stalling episodes pass, it felt OK to continue driving for years because everything is fine again. Looking back at the times when the stalling occurred, I was always lucky enough to recover and continue driving normally and trustfully for years before the next occurrence. Now I wonder what could have happened if the stall occurred while in more split-second decision, critical situations. I feel really stuck right now because I'm older with an undrivable vehicle. Please advise

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11761762
2003 Saturn VueTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Car stalled while driving in traffic [redacted]. Engine died. Warning lights ON. Restarted. Stalled 3 more times in traffic but luckily had space to pull off & engine restarted. Made it into my garage. Restarted, Check Engine Light was ON, but went OFF after time. Car would NOT move in gear. Retried several times. Presently ([redacted]) will crank but WON'T start. Battery good. Looking for anything else obvious. (Had similar problem after buying in 2006 on at least 4 different dates, but restarted after EITHER:...

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left overnight or after battery disconnect/reset: No Check Engine Light after relearning cycles. Successfully passed all emission tests since ownership.) I have about 34,000 miles on odometer. Have had NO other memorable problems except stalling problems. After first stalling years ago, a Saturn dealer on [[redacted]] replaced VTi transmission fluid & "reprogrammed" the ECM. I have no receipts or records now & that dealer is long gone. Please advise. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11761129
2008 Saturn VueSteeringElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in Texas in Fort Worth coming from Arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get off the highway in a safe area I had to drive about 5 more miles up the road to the next exit so I started driving it didn't smoke right off so a couple of minutes into the drive it starts smoking so I finally get to the...

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exit smoke is now coming through the vents , I hurry and pull over and go to open the door it wouldn't open I then I climb over and get out the back door I go into the business parking lot at this point it's engulfed in black smoke and then it starts burning.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11733687
2009 Saturn VueSuspensionAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Stalls stops, with Engine power reduced, stabilitrak off. After turning or braking. Engine light with down arrow. Accident probability. DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF ON HIGHWAY OR COUNTRY RD!

Filed Incident Suspension · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11618624
2008 Saturn VueElectrical systemEngine & coolingCrash3 injuries

Alternator I changed the starter I changed the alternator brand new it ran but then it stopped in mid drive and I won't just start and that's how I crashed into something now my car is wreck in the fridge and it won't start and if it does it stops

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11612712
2006 Saturn VueTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered violently. The contact's daughter lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road before coming to a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 89,973. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11611523
2007 Saturn VueEngine & cooling

[Wednesday 4:11 PM] Rosales, Denise CTR (NHTSA) The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to engage in hybrid mode the morning after being purchased. In addition, the vehicle failed to start and maintain battery power. The vehicle was towed to 2 different independent mechanics and 1 independent mechanic who came to the residence where it was diagnosed that the vehicle did not have hybrid functions possibly due to the battery failing to maintain power. The contact stated the...

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battery was replaced however the failures remained present. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11585902
2007 Saturn VueElectrical systemEngine & coolingDriver assistance1 injury

I was driving and pulled up to get some gas and put my car in park it just stop and turned off and I haven't been able to get it back on. Went and saw a mechanic and he said it was the timing chain on the car it only had 97,000 miles on it and it would shake while I'm in ideal

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11584265
2007 Saturn VueTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I was driving on the highway, on the way to the beach with my family and our pup! We heard a pop and thought maybe it was the tire but the engine began smoking. I pulled the vehicle over as safely as possible. I popped the hood and there was a fire. Everyone evacuated the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. I was the last to get out of the vehicle. Within minutes the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. We stood there and watched the only vehicle we have completely burn up. I cried and I watched my kids...

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cry. What was supposed to be a beach day for us to distress and relax turned into us almost losing our lives on the highway. We are thankful for the state trooper, the fire department, and the paramedics who all arrived on scene and kept my family safe. Im thankful our lives weren't lost. However we still faced a life or death situation today.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11536826
2006 Saturn VueSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

ignition gets stuck with key and locks steering wheel, now it wont shut off all the way to left and kills my battery looks like there has been MANY ignition issues and recalls with saturns which this is pretty important to have working to drive and be safe esp as a female in this world ..getting stuck or with a dead battery isnt good $300-400 at a gmc to fix this issue I feel personally this should be considered a recall fix

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11461547
2008 Saturn VueEngine & cooling

Sweet smell coming from vents, suspect there is a coolant leak in the heater core, only 98000 miles and the heater core is failing.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11447965
2007 Saturn VueEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle for a state inspection, the contact was told that the front engine cradle mounts were severely corroded. The contact was also informed that the corrosion was so severe that the part could not be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 204,495.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11437464
2008 Saturn VueTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

My 2008 Saturn vue Engine size 3600cc, 6 cylinders has been feeling like the transmission is slipping when you get up to a certain speed and this could be very harmful to other drivers that are driving.. Sometimes the car won't go into park or reverse and I feel that since there are 3 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THE GM PLACE SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS Because someone could get hurt really badly if the transmission locks up while going down the road.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11427977
2008 Saturn VueElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

October 22 2020 my husband and I had purchased a 2008 saturn vue (lic plate # 6ezz507)from a private party. On march 25 2021 the car suddenly engulfed in flames then exploded. My husband managed to exit the vehicle in just seconds before the car exploded. We've come to find out afterwards that this particular year,make,model had been recalled. Is there anything could possibly be done?

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11412911

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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