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Chart based on 92 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Saturn VUE
Engine not specified
10000 mi
VEHICLE DRIVEN FOR 10K MILES. NO OIL CHANGE LIGHT CAME ON. ADVISED BY DEALER THEY WOULD FIX "REFLASH" AND PERFORM OIL CHANGE. ADVISED OF 3K OIL CHANGE INTERVAL DESPITE MANUFAC RECOMMENDATIONS TO WAIT FOR LIGHT.
emission, said there was TSI on it and they reset it.
P0449 code, high resistance in the evap vent valve.
42000 mi
Leaky heater cooler / core. symtoms are foggy windshield and sweet smell when heater is active. Requested assistance from manufacturer due to "out of warranty" due to mileage. comped a rental also
87700 mi
US $1200
Timing Chain worn (engine light) purge solenoid stuck (replaced purge solenoid STED system
133000 mi
US $332
Check engine light was on; replaced purge valve
2000 mi
Remote start inoperative due to bad sensor causing engine light to come on.
Emissions: Two problems were discovered. First was a failed gas cap the other was a cracked EVAP cansiter.
91000 mi
US $200
The left bank (front)valve cover cracked resulting in a steady oil leak.
24000 mi
Check engine, stabilitrak, anti-lock brake warning lights came on, engine misfiring. Dealer found that Camshaft was out of tolerance. Replaced head, camshaft, gaskets, fluids in accordance with service bulletin.
10000 mi
Fuel pressure started dropping to zero psi immediately after turning off engine. Then, wouldn't start on first turn of key. Fuel pump was replaced twice before they gave up.
32000 mi
Antifreeze odor when operating the heater.
33000 mi
Heater core developed a leak and had to be replaced.
24000 mi
Check engine light came on, and they replaced a part to correct it. Covered under warranty.
7000 mi
Key could not be removed from ignition switch. The ignition lock cylinder was replaced (had to be ordered, hence the 4 days). I did get a loaner car to use.
11000 mi
Will crank but won't start on first attempt after vehicle has sat for a while after driving, and still warm. Operates normal after car cools down (like overnight).
12000 mi
A return trip due to car not starting on first attempt when vehicle and outside temps are warm. They replaced a fuel regulator and no changes. Problem still exists.
14000 mi
Car wouldn't start normally on first attempt. Fuel pump wouldn't hold pressure. Fuel pump replaced.
47150 mi
US $600
Front wheel speed sensor failed, replaced under warranty. Rear wheel ESP/ABS sensor replaced under warranty(second time).
95500 mi
Internal modules were losing communication w/ each other causing engine codes and lots of dashboard warning lights. Car would drive like it had bad gas after this happened each time until the engine was restarted, but that didn't always help
dealer diagnostic indicated that timing chain needed replacement 2K ...got 2nd opinion from independent mechanic. no timing chain issue needed oil change only. dealer tried to rip us off
75300 mi
US $800
Serpentine belt was showing signs of wear - replaced it while we replaced the alternator while we were in there. Was a parts only deal.
30000 mi
US $1244
To Long to List: Lots of leaks and replacements of gaskets, seals, spark plugs and 14 things that needed replacement.
42500 mi
gas cap wouldn't seat. dash light on.
21000 mi
Blown cylinder head, cracked piston ring.
29000 mi
Minor engine oil leak. Replaced seal, but problem persists.
100000 mi
US $40
emission purge solenoid inop; replaced.
52700 mi
C $2500
Pressure release valve/solenoid replaced. Couldnt pump fuel into the vehicle and had a fault code too.
Check engine light triggered by bad emission sensor. Repaired emission sensor. Emissions sensor bad, replaced. Mechanic then encountered MANY computer problems. Wiring appreas the issue. Tear down of vehicle required. A week in the shop before traded it in for a newer of the same (newer in the production line). SOLD!
59000 mi
US $400
engine light on, emission control operating out of range, replace EVAP recalibrate ECM
11000 mi
Accelerator position sensor corroded. First trip computer reset. Second trip sensor replaced and some part of body molding resealed to prevent moisture from reaching the sensor.
23000 mi
Faulty heater core.
102000 mi
US $1300
Emissions sensor; also installed new brake pads all the way 'round
oil pan gasket replaced
front crank seal replaced
both cylinder head gaskets replaced
43864 mi
Replace head gaskets, front seal and oil pan seal
46500 mi
oil pan seal leak, oil pan seal replaced
47760 mi
C $756
Leaking radiator replaced
111600 mi
C $3500
crankshaft sensor failed. had to be replaced.
18000 mi
car does not start properly, cranks but does not start, after key is released and returns from "start" engine continues to crank on its own, then must turn key 2nd time to get it to start, dealer says it is known fuel pump issue, no repair!
20000 mi
Front crankshaft oil seal began leaking oil and was replaced as per TSB from manufacturer.
106199 mi
US $10
Replaced Oil Flange Gasket located by oil filter.
105400 mi
C $400
One spark plug failed causing an engine misfire when accelerating
114700 mi
Quite a fluke with the car on a highway trip. I was driving about 100 km/h on a major highway when the dashboard lights for anti-skid came on and the car started to slow down and pressing the gas pedal wasn't doing anything. The car came to a full stop in about 10 seconds, brakes seized. It was not a pleasant situation on that highway as there were cars right behind me travelling at over 100 km/h. I could have been hit hard from behind due to this... I shut the car off, tried to pull the battery leads off but did not have the tools with me. In about 5-10 minutes I attempted to restart the car and succeeded at it - everything seemed to be functioning normally... I still had to drive over 200 km on a mountain highway and we made it to the destination safely without any additional issues. I later heard that others had a similar issue with the vehicle and pointed at a camshaft sensor as the culprit. Although the problem sorted itself, this is a major intrinsic defect, which can put an owner at a substantial risk when travelling on a highway. The manufacturer should never have designed the sensor that way. If I saw a specific light come up on a dashboard, it should have been enough in this situation. Thus, buyer beware - cheap, flimsy american vehicles are garbage and it just shows how low they are willing to go in order to save some money for their bottom lines.
31000 mi
Transmission slip returned Check engine light on.
The replaced a speed sensor.
27900 mi
Front main seal leaking
65920 mi
C $400
Backfire in plug #5. Had to replace spark plugs even though it is recommended replacing them at 150,000 km.
Message on dash indicated engine problem, with message "check hybrid battery". Recall on hybrid batteries due to corrosion. Batteries back ordered. While waiting, hybrid batteries shorted entire electrical, car had to be towed in. Dead.
91100 mi
US $200
Hybrid system error/Stabilitrak error/check engine light was popping up during long distance driving. Local mechanic replaced camshaft parts.
110000 mi
US $200
Engine oil leaking thru crankshaft seal. Visited several independent shop since it requires special tools.
Emissions. Check engine light. Item replaced but the light returned. Into shop next Wedn to revisit issue.
86800 mi
Same issue as reported in October 2015
87420 mi
C $125
Replaced purge valve
96100 mi
C $200
R&R intake valve timing control solenoid
104780 mi
C $870
Exhaust system
57300 mi
US $359
The check engine light has been on for about 3 months. When I took it for repair the mechanics could not find a problem. They told me I could take it to the dealer, but I haven't because I have not had any problems. The light is still on
5580 mi
Rear right speed sensor harness had corroded,needed to be replaced
64151 mi
C $350
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, DIAGNOSTICS, REPLACE INTAKE CAM POSITION ACTUATOR SOLONOID
74400 mi
C $298
check engine light on. replaced Exhaust cam position actuator solonoid
15000 mi
key gets stuck in ignition upon turning engine off. Trip to dealer was unsuccessful, as dealer could not replicate problem. problem still persists intermittently.
4000 mi
Updated software in TCM (Transmission Control Module) & BCM (Body Control Module) to effect repair against a TSB helping transmission to shift less when cruise engaged.
5000 mi
Transmission required re-flash of software, previous software flash was causing transmission to hang for extended period in 3rd gear and rendering manual mode unavailable by forcing transmission to stay in 4th gear, unable to change with - button. Technician forgot to reset oil life monitoring system when completing required recall issued by GM to fix the light that was supposed to illuminate when oil life low.
54000 mi
US $575
Replace cam position sensor and evaporative emmissions sensor.
90000 mi
US $60
Exhuast camshaft position sensor turned on Check Engine light.
40000 mi
Replaced intake and exhaust solenoids.
2000 mi
Check engine light on - evap systems leak.
4000 mi
Code P0442. Replaced Evap Canister and problem was solved.
16000 mi
The oil life monitor indicator light never lit. Engine downshifted too much on even the slightest incline when cruise control was used. The caused the vehicle to speed up dramatically. A TSB specifying a software update for the TCM resolved the problem.
136000 mi
US $235
Oil pan rtv (no gasket) began leaking oil. Mechanic dropped oil pan and resealed
5000 mi
While engine is running, there is a loud rattle coming from engine on passenger side. The vehicle has been in and out of the shop 2 other times to attempt repair. The techs can hear the noise and see what is rattling, but cannot repair it. Was told the... Another trip to dealership to diagnose rattling noise while engine is running. The techs are trying to determine best way to repair. The problem was not repaired as person was still not available to work on vehicle.
6000 mi
After vehicle was remote started the heating and cooling system fan and temperature could not be adjusted. Computer needed to be re-programmed.
21000 mi
Engine light came on. Determine a engine misfire set off the engine light. However still had to bring it in to get the light reset. what a pain.
15000 mi
trans TSB 08-06-04-036 and OLM recall
30000 mi
Radiator may burst (TSB) - radiator hose altered
37000 mi
US $40
Intake valve sensor. Reason it wa replaced was the "check engine " light came on.
7000 mi
Codes P2101 Throttle Position Performance,P1516 Throttle Actuator Control Performance found. Found internal short in ECM (electronic control module). They replaced and programed ECM. Powertrain Control Module Replacement.
102000 mi
US $577
Replaced catalytic converter
182500 mi
US $795
Exhaust system replaced from the engine back. Required manufacturer's parts.
203000 mi
US $788
catalytic converter
211000 mi
US $50
Leak at bypass pipe o-rings. Replaced O rings and thermostat gasket.
220000 mi
US $436
O2 sensor, plus a broken manifold bolt.
46000 mi
US $216
Re-wired for sensors in dash. Sensors OK.
67000 mi
US $175
Defective intake solenoid valve. Replaced.
93400 mi
US $925
install transmission mount
141000 mi
US $350
Radiator rotted out
141000 mi
US $300
Cracked exhaust manifold
50500 mi
US $350
Transmission error codes existed. Local shop indicated bring to dealer. Dealer diagnosed and found ignition switch issue causing transmission code erros. Ignition Switch was replaced (not under warranty).
48000 mi
US $260
check engine light on--failed local inspection--emission system had malfunctioned--new parts required--code not yet read by computer--need to drive it more they say and will be best read once gas level is half full
102800 mi
US $40
I received an MIL Code of P0010. Research indicated the probable cause to the the Camshaft Position Sensor Actuator Solenoid (akaOil Control Valve) on the intake side. This sits right on top of the head of the engine. Easy to replace.
28000 mi
shutter on 1-2 shift compass keeps losing calibration
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frequently 2008 Saturn VUE problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.