Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Saturn Vue Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank Saturn Vue model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (6) and the 2003 the most (622).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

Saturn Vue model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
2010
Among the fewest complaints		 6 0 Electrical system — 19–28
2009
Among the fewest complaints		 118 2 Steering — 18–28
2002
Among the fewest complaints		 167 2 Electrical system — 19–22
2005 170 0 Electrical system — 19–23
2004 276 2 Power train — 19–23
2007 286 0 Electrical system — 19–26
2006
Among the most complaints		 300 0 Electrical system — 19–23
2008
Among the most complaints		 406 3 Power train — 17–28
2003
Among the most complaints		 622 1 Power train — 19–22

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the Saturn Vue years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

2003 Saturn Vue: 622 complaints

Most-reported: Power train 316 (51%); Electrical system 124 (20%); Engine and engine cooling 62 (10%).

Reports mention 29 crashes, 9 fires, 27 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.

2008 Saturn Vue: 406 complaints

Most-reported: Power train 120 (30%); Electrical system 88 (22%); Steering 86 (21%).

Reports mention 16 crashes, 11 fires, 14 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,337 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.

2006 Saturn Vue: 300 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 103 (34%); Air bags 93 (31%); Steering 29 (10%).

Reports mention 18 crashes, 6 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.

The Saturn Vue years with the fewest complaints

2010 Saturn Vue: 6 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (50%); Engine 2 (33%); Steering 1 (17%).

Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.

2009 Saturn Vue: 118 complaints

Most-reported: Steering 38 (32%); Electrical system 35 (30%); Power train 14 (12%).

Reports mention 8 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.

2002 Saturn Vue: 167 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 52 (31%); Engine and engine cooling 31 (19%); Power train 24 (14%).

Reports mention 13 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 74,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in Saturn Vue owner reports

Saturn Vue owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
201060100—
2009118837180,000
2008406161114075,337
20072861067075,000
200630018610075,000
200517015315076,348
200427623520078,456
200362229927070,000
20021671357074,000

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest Saturn Vue recalls

  • Ignition Key Can Be Removed When In On Position (2002–2004 model years; 202,155 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2014; 14V490000)
  • OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE STICKS/BINDS (2008 model year; 44,451 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2009; 09V233000)
  • POWER STEERING LINE NUT (2008–2009 model years; 42,408 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2008; 08V470000)
  • GM/FMVSS 120/TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL (2004 model year; 6,134 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2003; 03V519000)
  • INCORRECT STEERING KNUCKLE (2009 model year; 2,149 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2008; 08V616000)

All 7 Saturn Vue recall campaigns · Saturn Vue problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

Saturn Vue years FAQ

Which Saturn Vue year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (6). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there Saturn Vue years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2003, 2008 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common Saturn Vue problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (683 of 2,351 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the Saturn Vue have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the Saturn Vue. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Saturn Vue recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Data sources

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI