2008 Saturn VUE Saturn VUE 2008

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2008 Saturn VUE repairs by problem area

Engine (25%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (10%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Saturn VUE problem?

Chart based on 441 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Saturn VUE.

2008 Saturn VUE transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (5%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (20%)

< $100 (55%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 44 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

53000 mi Complete replacement of transmission was necessary 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

257-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

41000 mi

US $100
I was driving on a Friday evening when the Vue shifted hard a few times. I stopped at a light and when I went to take off from the light it seemed like I had no power. I noticed as I sped up - finally - that the transmission would not shift. 
54000 mi

US $100
Transmission slippage 3-5-Reverse Clutch waved plate failure. 
67000 mi Transmission control module. Re-imaged, if problem continues dealer says it will have to be replaced. 
37000 mi transmission failed 135r wave plate broken 
42000 mi

US $1500
transmission 
91000 mi

US $1300
Transmission control module replaced by dealer 
65000 mi Transmission began hesitating in reverse and while accelerating in drive. 
20000 mi Leaking transmission fluid, second time. 
30000 mi Leaking Transmission fluid 
97000 mi

US $800
Wave plate bent/ broken. Replaced with Partial coverage (70%) by GM 
4386 mi No charge fix for clicking noise in front end during cold weather Also did campaign #07232 for Battery undercharging issue 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

257-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

59180 mi Clutch discs disintegrated. A problem was reported 2-3 years prior re shifting inconsistently but nothing was found. then this happens with catastrophic results. Luckily it was still under warranty 
65000 mi The Vue had a problem with the transmission. This was the second time that the transmission failed. The estimated cost to repair it was $2,500 so I just got rid of the car since it's not worth it. The transmission failed twice within 65,000 miles - the first repair was done by a dealer just before the end of the powertrain warranty. 
123000 mi

US $100
Repair was not actually done. TEHCM unit in the transmission is failing, sometimes causing the transmission to be stuck in first gear. A transmission shop said that replacing the TEHCM would cost around $2000. They said that there are a lot of other parts in this model of transmission which are prone to failure and that they would not recommend replacing the TEHCM without doing a full rebuild to upgrade and replace the parts which are likely to fail soon. Because of the age and mileage of the car, they recommended trading it in or selling it because the cost of the rebuild would be more than the car is worth. 
20000 mi Mechanic recommended replacement of torque converter gasket. 
74300 mi

US $100
Replace transfer case 
91000 mi

US $1710
REMOVE & REPLACE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID REMOVE & REPLACE SHIFT SOLENOID 
77600 mi

US $1000
Waveplate broke and decimated the transmission. Led to total transmission failure, stranding me on the side of the road. This happened a WEEK out of warranty. 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

257-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed automatic FWD

90000 mi 3-5-R wave plate failure. GM would not provide any assistance as the event was 4 days past the warranty cut-off based on vehicle paperwork and not delivery. Dealer quoted $4648 for replacement of the transmission. Repair not made, but vehicle was traded in and another vehicle purchased. 
44020 mi Needed a new transmission at a cost of over $5K. Took 6 weeks for the dealer to source the part and get the car back to me. 
68300 mi

US $5500
Transmission died. Some plates broke. Also replaced the CV axles while there. 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

257-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed automatic AWD

43500 mi transmission failure; replacement 3 and 5 clutch plates; clean and repair of transmission; fully covered under powertrain warranty transmission failure; replacement 3 and 5 clutch plates; clean and repair of transmission; fully covered under powertrain warranty 
106000 mi

US $1000
trouble shifting from third to fourth and into reverse, affected parts replaced 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

222-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic AWD

76000 mi

US $31000
ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED! 
28000 mi

US $40
Transmission slip, Tech said could not replicate 
30000 mi Found Slip from earlier trip. Replaced Transmission valve body 
57600 mi transmission was slipping and not shifting smoothly and normally, repair was covered by drivetrain warranty, repaired by GM dealership 
72540 mi

C $421
Oil leak in differential 
75640 mi

C $648
Transmission cooler lines leaking at crimps 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 4-speed automatic FWD

89500 mi

US $250
Hybrid system error/Stabilitrak error/check engine light was poping up during long distance driving. Local mechanic replaced camshaft parts. 
118000 mi

US $600
A lot of vibration, grinding sound above 40 mph. Replaced ball bearings but problem still existed. Dangerous to drive on highway. Independent repair shops could not fix the problem and even dealership service guy recommended to abandon the car. 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4dr SUV

169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

51000 mi Axle seal 
190700 mi

US $78
Replaced CV axle shaft 
116000 mi

US $300
Replaced axel seal 
119000 mi

US $850
Powertrain control module 
132000 mi

US $450
New seals on both drive shafts, due to leakage 
53000 mi The issue occurred again and no one could assist. I was told: if the light is not on when it is occurring we cannot help you. as a result in july of 2013 I traded the vehicle in for a Hyundai. of course the light went on that day. 
The dealer changed battery and shift lever. It seems a batch of bad batteries have been installed on some VUE XE 08 FWD 
91640 mi

C $479
Axel seals had to be replaced 
62000 mi Transmission was unable to shift into reverse, 1st and 2nd gear. Transmission was "rebuilt". 
46800 mi Humming noise from the front end 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

1000 mi Slight vibration under load at highway speed, diagnosed as the torque converter and it was replaced 

Return to top

2008 Saturn VUE 2-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

1000 mi Transmission hunting for gears when in cruise control set at around 70mph. Constant shifting every mile from 4th to 6th gear regardless of the pavement angle. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Saturn models.

2008 Saturn VUE Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Saturn VUE problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.