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Model year record

2009 Saturn Vue recalls & problems

The 2009 Saturn Vue has 2 safety recalls and 118 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (40 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints118filed by owners
Crashes · fires8 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths7 · 1reported in complaints
2009 Saturn Vue in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SteeringNov 24, 2008

Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm

Recall 08V6160002,149 vehicles

Problem
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> .
SteeringSep 17, 2008

Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

Recall 08V47000042,408 vehicles

Problem
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 repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Saturn VUE 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.9%
2009 Saturn Vue NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Vue FWD

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Vue FWD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Vue FWD

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Vue AWD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Vue AWD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Vue AWD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SteeringElectric power assist system; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections4010188,700 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch3611059,000 mi
Power train1420080,950 mi
Air bags1050365,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)9001120,000 mi
Service brakes9101109,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door820364,000 mi
Engine7212117,500 mi
Unknown or other700087,410 mi
Exterior lighting501059,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5000106,850 mi
Engine and engine cooling301053,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.