2009 Saturn Vue Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Saturn Vue report power steering loss as the dominant concern, with the steering wheel becoming extremely hard or impossible to turn, often at low speeds or during turns. Electrical problems are the second most common theme, ranging from intermittent stalling and dead batteries to dashboard warning lights cycling on and off. A smaller but notable group of complaints describe transmission issues and key-removal problems tied to the shifter and ignition lock.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering loss or failure

   • 32 complaints (27%)
   • median 88,797 mi at 6.5 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2025

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very hard or impossible to turn, most often at low speeds while making turns or while backing out of parking spots. Some complaints note a grinding or whining noise before or during the loss of assist. According to complaints, dealers have diagnosed failed power steering pumps, leaking power steering lines, worn rack-and-pinion assemblies, and faulty steering angle sensors, with repairs sometimes recurring shortly after being completed. Complaints span a wide mileage range but cluster around 85,000 to 110,000 miles, with some occurring as early as 36,000 miles.

   Recall 08V470000Recall 08V616000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 08V470000 (power steering line nut) and recall 08V616000 (steering knuckle) have been completed on the specific VIN; check for any power steering fluid stains under the front of the vehicle and listen for whining or grinding when turning at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since april 2014 our 2009 Saturn VUE has experienced a loss of steering assist which requires both hands for steering at low speed. Recently we received a recall for our 2007 gmc acadia. The recall is for the same conditions we experience with our Saturn. As both vehicles have the same power train to the best of my knowledge I believe the recall should be expanded by GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #10668744, filed 2014-12, 90,000 miles

   “My vehicle has been leaking an abundance of power steering fluid. According to the dealer, my vehicle is not included in the current recall of the power steering nut. The exact same problems that have occurred with the effected vehicles are happening with my vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10606618, filed 2014-06, 91,500 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical system faults and warning lights

   • 33 complaints (28%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Complaints describe the dashboard lighting up with multiple warning indicators simultaneously — including StabiliTrak, ABS, airbag, and tire pressure messages — often accompanied by the radio and instrument panel cutting out. Some owners report the vehicle going completely dead, requiring a jump or battery replacement, with the problem returning after a short time. According to complaints, dealers have replaced batteries and alternators without fully resolving the underlying fault. Reported across a broad range of mileages, from under 20,000 miles on hybrid variants to around 80,000 miles on standard models, with no strong concentration at a single mileage point.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: A service bulletin addresses an intermittent no-crank or stall condition with the security light on; ask whether that diagnosis has been performed. Check for any aftermarket OBD or ALDL adapters left plugged in, as a separate bulletin notes these can introduce multiple unexplained faults.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car would not start, when you put the key in the ignition will not start. After several attempts you can finally get it to connect. This is an ongoing issue I have had the car in the garage several times. I have been stranded three times in the last six months. It doesn't happen all the time and never happens when the garage has the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10593402, filed 2014-05, 59,000 miles

   “My 2009 Saturn VUE hybrid has had 2 car batteries die and the hybrid batteries have had to be replaced as well. I purchased the VUE in july of 2009. The first car battery was reported dead by the lou fuze dealership less than a week after my purchase and replaced under warranty. The hybrid batteries were deemed dead by the lou fuze dealership in july 2010 and replaced under warranty. In october 2010, the car battery was again deemed dead and replaced by the lou fuze dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10359322, filed 2010-10, 19,000 miles
3. 3
   Electronic stability control

   Unexpected deceleration and traction/stability control

   • 15 complaints (13%)
   • median 93,700 mi at 6.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe the vehicle suddenly slowing or losing power while driving at highway speeds, with StabiliTrak and traction control warning messages appearing on the dash. Some complaints note the vehicle would not accelerate past 20 to 30 mph after the event. According to complaints, dealers have replaced brake pressure modulator valves and various sensors without always resolving the issue. Most complaints in this group involve higher mileages, generally between 80,000 and 144,000 miles, though a few lower-mileage examples appear.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake pressure modulator valve and wheel speed sensors have been inspected or replaced; during a test drive, confirm there is no unexpected lurching, sudden deceleration, or stability control warnings on flat roads.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While in motion on a city street going up hill, the car was having a problem accelerating up hill. When going downhill, the car would stop, and the brakes would lock up. Have to use acceleration when going downhill in order for it to move. Finally when I made it home and parked there was a loud noise (like something was scraping against something). And then the service traction control light came on. When I got out the car, it smelled like burnt metal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11205865, filed 2019-05, 54,225 miles

   “I was driving on the highway, cruising at 70 in the far left hand lane, and suddenly my vehicle speed dropped to 40 MPH and error codes started flashing on the dash (decrease engine, engine, stability track system, traction control, and others I don't remember). With semi trucks and a high volume of traffic behind me and blowing their horns, I attempted to change lanes in an effort to pull over on the right shoulder as georgia law states...but it would not accelerate and continued to decrease. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10706593, filed 2015-04, 120,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Key stuck in ignition / shifter not engaging Park

   • 10 complaints (8%)
   • median 80,551 mi at 8.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2022

   Owners report being unable to remove the key from the ignition after parking, needing to shift repeatedly or very forcefully before the transmission fully latches into Park. According to complaints, dealers have identified the shifter mechanism as the source of the problem and in some cases provided a manual workaround — moving the selector to manual mode and back to Park — rather than replacing parts. Reported from as low as 15,000 miles through roughly 100,000 miles, with no clear mileage threshold.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: A service bulletin describes a condition in which the vehicle may rock slightly in Park after a cold soak with a clunk noise; confirm the shifter seats fully into Park without unusual force and verify the key releases normally on first attempt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I park the car, the automatic transmission does not fully shift to park unless I throw it very hard into park and I can not turn the key to the off position and take it out of the ignition. Sometimes it takes several very hard throws and other times it acts normally.”

   NHTSA complaint #11065407, filed 2018-01, 77,500 miles

   “As of the beginning of last yr. My Saturn has been giving me trouble with the key not coming out of the ignition when I turn off the engine. I have try a number of things. Ex; turn engine back on & turn the wheel to the left & then to the right. Also I'll shift the trans from p to d & back. It seems to be something in the lock or what ever controls the trans. That sends a signal when ignition is off so you can turn the key all the way to the off position to release the key . My 1st yr I had no problems. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10508312, filed 2013-04, 15,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in crashes

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 46,400 mi at 5.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2020

   Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in collisions that owners characterize as significant, including frontal impacts and side impacts that sent the vehicle into fixed objects. Additionally, some owners report an intermittent "Service Airbag" warning light, in at least one case appearing consistently in extreme heat and disappearing in cooler conditions. According to complaints, dealers have charged for diagnostic tests and quoted additional repair costs. Non-deployment complaints involve vehicles at various mileages; the warning light complaint was noted at under 30,000 miles and was associated with high ambient temperatures.

   What to check: Have the airbag system scanned for stored fault codes before purchase; confirm no airbag warning light is present at startup, and ask whether the vehicle has ever been in a collision that required airbag-related repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall I have been getting a service air bag indicator. It seems to happen every day when the temperature is extremely hot over 100 degrees. On cooler days, I do not get the indicator light. When it is hot, the light comes on immediately when I start my car. If I drive a distance with the air on, it goes off. This started happening over a month ago. I went to a dealer and they charged me $105 to run a diagnostic test. They said something needs replacing and will cost me $495. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10909889, filed 2016-09, 27,800 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10935222, filed 2016-12, 116,000 miles

Buying note. The 2009 Saturn Vue has a well-documented pattern of power steering concerns, and prospective buyers should verify that the two steering recalls have been completed on the specific vehicle before purchase. Electrical intermittent faults and the key-in-ignition issue are worth confirming through a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored trouble codes.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.