2009 Saturn Vue
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 39 of 125 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 417 in 2008 to 125 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,300 | 2,250–3,650 | 2,250–3,450 | 2,250–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–26 | 17–28 | 18–28 | 19–28 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–23 / 23–29 | 15–25 / 22–32 | 16–27 / 23–32 | 16–25 / 23–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–468 | 317–523 | 317–494 | 317–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 312 | 417 | 125 | 6 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 17 | 8 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 11 | 3 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 15 | 7 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Saturn Vue have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Saturn Vue?
Electrical: 39 of 125 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Saturn Vue get?
EPA rates it 18–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Saturn Vue?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 25 mpg | 32 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 27 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 39 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM · Campaign 08V616000 · Nov 25, 2008
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 18, 2008
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE FLUID COULD CONTACT HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: 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> .