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2009 Saturn Vue Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Saturn Vue carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering arm and hose, piping, and connections. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Ignition key trapped in ignition or shifter.” 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.

Save this car as:

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Campaign #08V616000 · Nov 24, 2008

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Campaign #08V470000 · Sep 17, 2008

Issue: 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.

Risk: THE FLUID COULD CONTACT HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Fix: 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Recall data refreshed Jul 9, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Saturn Vue.

Reported to NHTSA

Ignition key trapped in ignition or shifter

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2022-10

“CARE WAS PARKED IN STORE PARKING LOT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, KEY WOULD NOT MOVE FROM ACC TO PARK. CAR WOULD START, BUT NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED, I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. DROVE TO DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE SHIFTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342710
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SEIZED WHILE THE KEY WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10981571
“UPON STOPPING AND SETTING GEARSHIFT TO PARK AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY TO THE POINT OF OBTAINING A DEAD BATTERY. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD A NEW KEY CYLINDER PUT ON. KEY STILL GETS STUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873502

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission slipping or failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2023-06

“I have only 68,329 miles. My transmission lost reverse. When first driving it will only go up to 10 mph and over time the maximum speed is 30 to 40 mph. Even if it gets to this speed it hesitates. The car is a danger and not drive able”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11525489
“THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 122,000 AND IS IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, YET THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BADLY. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR AFTER 120,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11366159
“IT STARTED RAINING IN AN AREA I WAS NOT FORMILLIA WITH. WHEN I HIT THE GAS SOMETIMES IT ENGAGED OTHER TIMES IT DID NOT. THEN IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I COULD ONLY GO FORWARD IN LOW, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTTO 2ND OR DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11297276

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal sticking or slow to release

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2018-08

“' TAMARA RECALL' WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND STICKS AND WHEN RELEASED THE CAR DARTS AWAY AND MAKES IT HARD TO STOP. I HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS AND HAVE RECEIVED TWO TICKETS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11115497
“WHEN BRAKES ARE LIGHTLY APPLIED THEY CONTINUE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE UNTIL YOU PLACE YOUR FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PULL IT UP TO GET IT TO RELEASE . THE MECHANIC DECIDED THAT THE BOOSTER OR THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS THE PROBLEM. WE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $946.52”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985627
“I TOO AM EXPERIENCING MY BRAKE PEDAL STICKING, SEEMS TO DRAG AT TIMES, ANY IDEAS, HELP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10568482

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power steering assist

STEERING

34 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2025-10

“The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691955
“The power steering goes out especially at lower speeds are from take off ,it takes every thing you have to turn wheel it has almost caused me two accidents, fluid level is fine, makes no unusual noise steering just goes out making it very dangerous to turn to the right are left”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11446620
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWERING STEERING OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10476681

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical malfunction causing stalling, dash loss

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2024-10

“CAR HAS LOST POWER ON DASH LIGHTS, RADIO WHEN OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR AROUND TOWN ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNIN THE STEERING WHEEL, LOOSES POWER, AND SHE WAS FORCED TO GET INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122299
“THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHEN A MESSAGE STATING "STABILITRACK OFF" APPEARED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I CONTINUED DRIVING WITH THE MESSAGE AND PARKED AS NORMAL.THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR THE MESSAGE WAS GONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10981648
“APPROXIMATELY JULY 2013, MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO SHUT OFF. THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. AFTER MOVING THE BATTERY, THE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10628258

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power or unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2015-11

“WAS ON INTERSTATE WITH MY 10 YR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME WITH CRUISE SET AT 75MPH, LANE WAS MERGING, SO I ACCELERATED TO GET PAST A SEMI TO GET OVER. LET UP OFF GAS AND CAR KEPT ACCELERATING FASTER. HIT BRAKE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. CAR STILL KEPT ACCELERATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10667092
“AUGUST 2015 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AROUND 6:25PM ON I-75 THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND RPM WERE HIGH AND TRUCH FELT LIKE I WAS PUSHING GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL AT SAME TIME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10789473
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10574900

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sun visor wiring harness overheating

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-01 → 2018-05

“I HAVE A 2009 SATURN VUE XE WITH ONLY 40,515 MILES AND THE WIRING IN THE HEADLINER ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER SIDE VISOR CAUGHT ON FIRE! THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A BURNED AREA ABOUT A FOOT AROUND IS NOW IN THE HEADLINER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10536928
“2009 SATURN VUE XR. IN DECEMBER 2010 I NOTICED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD OCCASIONALLY START FLICKERING, APPROX. 2 HZ RATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT; SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS SAID "PROBABLY A SHORT..." BUT I NEVER HAD ANYONE ACTUALLY TRY TO TROUBLESHOOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10377060
“THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS MELTING, CAUSING ME TO LOOSE THE USE OF THAT HEADLIGHT. I HAVE ALREADY REPAIRED THE SITUATION TWICE, NOW I AM SEE THAT OTHER SATURN OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED GM AND THERE IS NO RECALL? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11091968

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-01 → 2016-12

“DRIVING VEHICLE AROUND 55MPH VEERED OFF ONTO LOOSE GRAVEL. HIT A DRAIN CULVERT FLEW INTO THE AIR, SLAMMED DOWN INTO A DITCH, AND HIT SEVERAL CUT TELEPHONE POLES USED AS LANDSCAPE DECORATIONS WITH NO FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND FILED POLICE REPORTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935222
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10672049
“VEHICLE (2009 SATURN VUE) WAS TRAVELLING SOUTHBOUND THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, BY ANOTHER VEHICLE (TRAVELING EASTBOUND) WHO DID NOT STOP FOR A RED LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10573107

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)

21 crashes 1990–2024

How the 21 occupant deaths break down

20

driver deaths

1

passenger deaths

21

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2011 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.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2009 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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