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2007 Saturn Vue Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Saturn Vue has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission judder and hesitation.” GM wound Saturn down in 2009, so parts now come through the GM catalog rather than a Saturn dealer. Which Saturn you own changes the maintenance picture completely. The S-series cars, meaning the SL, SC, and SW, use a 1.9 liter four with a timing chain, and the twin-cam version is known to burn oil as it ages, so checking the dipstick between changes matters more than the interval does. The L-series and Astra are Opel designs and want European-spec parts. The later Vue, Ion, Aura, Outlook, and Sky are mainstream GM under the badge. One item deserves a direct warning: 2002 to 2005 Vue models fitted with the VTi continuously variable transmission had a poor reliability record, and GM stopped building it. If you are buying one, confirm which transmission it has first.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Saturn Vue.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission judder and hesitation

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2020-05

“MAY HAVE A TORQUE CONVERTER CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN A TRANSMISSIONS VIBRATIONS OR SHAKING MOTION (JUDDER) WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 TO 45 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11306398
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND DECELERATE TO 5 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11230784
“MY CAR IS A 2007 SATURN VUE. WE ONLY HAD IT FOR A COUPLE YEARS. I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT ONLY HAD 80000 MILES ON IT ITS NOW AT 105000 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON IT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11041535

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key ejects or sticks in switch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

80 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2023-07

“YOU CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN THE RUN POSITION. IT'S VERY EASY TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE IN THIS POSITION. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621719
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OVER PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10758849
“IGNITION KEY LOCKED IN PLACE AND WOULD NOT TURN ON OR UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE IMMOBILE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO HAZARDIOUS IF THE STEERING LOCKED WHILE MOVING. OTHER GM VEHICLES, INCLUDING SATURNS HAVE HAD RECALLS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627888

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently

AIR BAGS

45 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2021-11

“The contact owned a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle went around a right-hand corner and skidded. The vehicle then crashed into an embankment, and it stopped in a ditch. No air bags were deployed upon impact”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11440794
“AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF SPORADICALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862936
“MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WERE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THAT COMPLETELY TOTALED OUR 2007 SATURN VUE. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN IN A RAVINE AFTER HITTING A SIGN AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865432

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling and loss of power while driving

ENGINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2024-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10640207
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11584265
“WHILE MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY I LOST ALL POWER. NO ENGINE, LIGHTS, ETC. ALMOST GOT RUN OVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816347

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration with cruise control engaged

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2019-04

“WHILE PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON US 17A WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO DECREASE THE SPEED CONTROL AND WHEN I TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10927765
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10817697
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10733997

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame and subframe corrosion

SUSPENSION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2023-01

“LOWER CONTOL ARM LEFT REAR SUSPENTION,PULLED OUT OF MOUNT. BODY RUSTED AND MAIN COMPONENT PULLED OUT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11118685
“The brackets welded to the frame of the vehicle holding the steering knuckle/subframe together was designed in a very poor way”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501729
“LATER THAT DAY HAD VEHICLE CHECKED AND TECH FOUND REAR SUBFRAME BOLT HAD LOST ITS HEAD (LITERALLY) APPEARED TO BE BADLY RUSTED BELOW DEPTH OF SUBFRAME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10712115

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump line leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2015-02

“DETECTED STRONG ODOR OF GAS AROUND REAR OF CAR. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAD THE CAR ON A LIFT AND COULD NOT DISCOVER SOURCE OF GASOLINE SMELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10661976
“BROUGHT MY 2007 SATURN VUE TO REPAIR A POWERFUL GASOLINE SMELL AROUND THE REAR OF CAR, NEAR GAS CAP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683058
“MY VUE HAS MYSTERIOUSLY STARTED EMITTING A STRONG SCENT OF FUEL BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO A DAY ALERT TO DIAGNOSE AND SERVICE IT I WAS ON THE ROAD WHEN A FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE FILLING IT WITH SMOKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621056

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Models from about 2003 on use the GM Oil Life System. Change when it asks and at least once a year. On S-series cars with the twin-cam 1.9, check the level every other fuel stop. Oil consumption on a worn one can empty the sump well before the next service is due.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the sidewall date codes too. On cars this age, tires usually time out before they wear out.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on S-series cars and rear calipers on the Vue and Ion both stick on vehicles that sit for long stretches.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. This is the single cheapest thing you can do to keep an aging ABS pump and calipers alive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Drain and fill every 45,000 miles. Fluid depends on the car: Dexron VI for most conventional automatics, a specific CVT fluid for 2002 to 2005 Vue models with the VTi, and Saturn-spec manual gear oil for the S-series manuals. Confirm the spec before anyone pours anything in.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

100,000 miles on platinum or iridium plugs. On the S-series 1.9 and the Ecotec fours, replace the coil pack boots at the same time. Brittle boots misfire and mimic a failing coil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

Replace the belt and the tensioner as a set once either one is cracked, glazed, or noisy. A tired tensioner will destroy a new belt.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. Easy access on the S-series and the Ecotec engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Every 5 years on a car this old. Most Saturns use orange Dex-Cool, which must never be mixed with green coolant. Ask the shop to check for seepage at the water pump and the intake gasket while the system is open.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Power Steering Check

Every 50,000 mi

Most of the lineup uses conventional hydraulic steering, so check the fluid level and the hoses. The Ion and some Vue models use an electric power steering unit instead, which has no fluid but was the subject of GM recall activity. Worth confirming yours was addressed.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$185–$220

Shop

~$130–$155

DIY

~$15–$40

Most cars built after ~2012 use electric power steering and have no fluid to service.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year. A weak battery on this generation of GM electronics produces warning lights that look like much more expensive problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

85 crashes 1990–2024

How the 85 occupant deaths break down

65

driver deaths

20

passenger deaths

85

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Saturn Vue reflects Saturn's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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