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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2002–2010

Saturn Vue recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 2,351 owner complaints for the Saturn Vue, covering model years 2002 to 2010. The 2003 model year drew the most complaints (622), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Saturn Vue VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 2,351 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 9 model years with data (2002–2010)
  • most complaints: 2003 (622 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (683 complaints)
  • latest recall 14V490000 (reported Aug 8, 2014)
  • 132 complaints reporting a crash (5.6%)
  • 49 complaints reporting a fire (2.1%)
  • 81 complaints reporting an injury (3.4%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (<0.1%)

Saturn Vue complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2003 model year has the most complaints: 622 of 2,351, or 26.5%. Next come 2008 (406) and 2006 (300). The fewest are for 2010, with 6 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Saturn Vue owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2002–2010Column chart of 2,351 complaints across 9 model years. The highest is 2003 with 622. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2002: 167 complaints16720022003: 622 complaints62220032004: 276 complaints27620042005: 170 complaints17020052006: 300 complaints30020062007: 286 complaints28620072008: 406 complaints40620082009: 118 complaints11820092010: 6 complaints62010
Saturn Vue complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Saturn Vue complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200216713560
2003622299200
2004276235150
200517015390
200630018670
200728610670
20084061611100
20091188371
201060100
All model years2,35113249811

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Saturn Vue components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 683 complaints (29.1% of all 2,351), followed by Power Train (649) and Air Bags (307).

Components named most often in Saturn Vue complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Saturn Vue complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System68329.1%
Power Train64927.6%
Air Bags30713.1%
Steering28612.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling1486.3%
Engine1436.1%
Unknown or Other1345.7%
Suspension1295.5%
Structure934.0%
Vehicle Speed Control763.2%
Exterior Lighting532.3%
Visibility532.3%
Fuel System, Gasoline512.2%
Latches/Locks/Linkages502.1%
Service Brakes502.1%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Saturn Vue recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Vue, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 2002 to 2009. The 2008 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 7 recall campaigns
Saturn Vue recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2002: 2 campaigns2003: 1 campaign2004: 2 campaigns2005: no campaigns2006: no campaigns2007: no campaigns2008: 3 campaigns2009: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 14V490000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition

    Model years 2002–2004

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

    Consequence:
    If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 09V233000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch

    Model year 2008

    GM is recalling 44,451 MY 2008 Saturn Vue vehicles with body color outside door handles. The outside door handles may stick or bind. If this were to occur, the door may not latch when closed.

    Consequence:
    Driving with an unlatched door could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the outside door handles with chrome door handles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before August 18, 2009. Owner may contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 08V616000

    Reported

    Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm

    Model year 2009

    GM is recalling 2,149 MY 2009 Saturn Vue vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with an incorrect right and/or left front steering knuckle. As a result of the incorrect knuckle and resulting inadequate clearance, the tie rod ball stud could pull out of, or fracture, the tie rod housing. This could cause the tie rod to separate from the knuckle.

    Consequence:
    Although steering control of the vehicle could be maintained after a tie rod separation by the unaffected wheel on smooth roads or during light braking, with more significant suspension or braking inputs, the affected wheel could turn out and skid. If a vehicle built with two incorrect steering knuckles had both tie rods separate at the same time, steering control of the vehicle would be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the steering knuckles and, if necessary, replace the steering knuckle(s) and tie rod(s). The recall began on December 8, 2008. Owners may contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 08V470000

    Reported

    Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections

    Model years 2008–2009

    GM is recalling 42,408 MY 2008-2009 Saturn Vue vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump may loosen. If this were to occur, there may be a power steering fluid leak.

    Consequence:
    The fluid could contact hot exhaust components resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the nut securing the power steering line to the power steering pump. If there are no signs of a fluid leak, dealers will tighten the nut. If a fluid leak is present, dealer will tighten the nut and check the fluid level. The recall began on September 26, 2008. Owners may contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 08V200000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 2008

    GM is recalling 26 MY 2008 Saturn Vue vehicles equipped with a 6T70 6-speed automatic transmission. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the transmission case side bore that holds the park pawl pivot pin may have a casting porosity. This condition, coupled with normal operating stresses, could lead to failure, eliminating the ability to secure the transmission in 'park' position.

    Consequence:
    If this happens while the vehicle is parked on a non-level surface, the vehicle could roll without warning and cause injury to people in its path.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the transmission free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2008. Owners may contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 03V519000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2004

    Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5L V6 (L66) engines fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars." The front and rear wheel rim size specifications on the tire/certification label are not correct. The printed wheel rim designation specified a 16-inch wheel when a 17-inch wheel designation was required.

    Consequence:
    If the wheel rim size is incorrectly printed on a tire/certification label, a service technician who solely uses the tire/certification label for service information may attempt to replace a damaged wheel with an incorrect wheel.
    Remedy:
    Owners will be provided with a corrected label and installation instructions. Owner notification began on December 15, 2003. Owners should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 01V386000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model year 2002

    Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." Some vehicles were produced with rear outer seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were incorrectly installed.

    Consequence:
    If these bolts were incorrectly installed, they would not withstand the load requirements of the standard. If an anchorage failed in a crash, the occupant would not be properly restrained and could have an increased risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rear shoulder guide anchor bolts. Owner notification began December 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-553-6000.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Saturn Vue questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Saturn Vue have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Saturn Vue, covering model years 2002 to 2010. The most recent, 14V490000, was reported on August 8, 2014 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2008 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Saturn Vue model year has the most complaints?

The 2003 model year, with 622 of the 2,351 complaints in NHTSA’s file (26.5%). The next are 2008 (406) and 2006 (300). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Saturn Vue complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 683 complaints, or 29.1% of all 2,351. Power Train (649) and Air Bags (307) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Saturn Vue?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Saturn dealer.

How many Saturn Vue complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 2,351 complaints, 132 report a crash, 49 a fire, 81 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Saturn models

8 models · most complaints first

The Saturn models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Saturn VIN decoder with every Saturn model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Saturn Ion 2003–2008 · 10 recalls · 4,343 complaints
  • Saturn SL 1995–2002 · 12 recalls · 1,605 complaints
  • Saturn LS 2000–2004 · 12 recalls · 1,458 complaints
  • Saturn Aura 2000–2010 · 5 recalls · 1,439 complaints
  • Saturn Outlook 2007–2010 · 10 recalls · 1,352 complaints
  • Saturn Sky 2007–2010 · 5 recalls · 516 complaints
  • Saturn SC1 1995–2001 · 6 recalls · 252 complaints
  • Saturn SC 1995–2002 · 12 recalls · 201 complaints

All Saturn models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.