Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid with NHTSA between 2013 and 2019.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Saturn VUE Hybrid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 14
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Saturn VUE Hybrid
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
541.7%
Median failure at 99,781 miles
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
18.3%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Steering
18.3%
Median failure at 73,000 miles
Airbags
18.3%
Median failure at 170,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
18.3%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
18.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
325.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
18.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
650.0%
150,000+ miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2013peak 3Apr 2019
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesDenton, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED DUE TO A FAILED AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED VARIOUS OTHER FAILURES, INCLUDING A DRAINED BATTERY AND THE STABILITRAC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11203395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesDenton, TX
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED DUE TO A FAILED AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED VARIOUS OTHER FAILURES, INCLUDING A DRAINED BATTERY AND THE STABILITRAC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11203395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesDenton, TX
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED DUE TO A FAILED AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED VARIOUS OTHER FAILURES, INCLUDING A DRAINED BATTERY AND THE STABILITRAC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11203395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesAlbany, GA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRINCE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC OF ALBANY (LOCATED AT 2701 LEDO RD, ALBANY, GA 31707, (229) 432-6271), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11181776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesHuntley, IL
POWER TRAIN
HYBRID BATTERIES ARE FULL OF CORROSION AND MOST LIKELY LEAKING. SAW SOME STUFF ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11119982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesHuntley, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HYBRID BATTERIES ARE FULL OF CORROSION AND MOST LIKELY LEAKING. SAW SOME STUFF ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11119982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesHuntley, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HYBRID BATTERIES ARE FULL OF CORROSION AND MOST LIKELY LEAKING. SAW SOME STUFF ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11119982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSpokane, WA
STEERING
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. NEW ADDITIONAL PARTS ON ORDER FOR 230.00 WAITING TO FIND OUT IF THIS FIXES THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10873502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWoodruff, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES WHERE THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10588806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWoodruff, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES WHERE THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10588806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLAS Angeles, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE OCCURRENCE WAS A NORMAL REACTION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10542271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,781 milesPacoima, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IN THE PAST (SERVICE BULLETIN NO. SB-10136A), 07/19/2010, FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE 05/06/2009. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES REGARDING HYBRID SYSTEM PLACING MYSELF AND ALL OTHER DRIVERS IN POTENTIAL DANGER. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO STOP FEATURE THAT TEMPORARILY SHUTS VEHICLES ENGINE DOWN TO SAVE ON GAS WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP (EX. RED LIGHTS, NEGOTIATING LEFT TURNS, STOP SIGNS.). WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, VEHICLE THEN RESTARTS ELECTRONICALLY AND ADVANCES. MY ISSUE IS THAT WHEN I COME TO A STOP, OR MAKE LEFTS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT TURN BACK ON. THERE IS AN APPROXIMATE 5 TO 8 SECOND DELAY, THEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTS MANUALLY. THE STARTER ENGAGES AND THE CAR GOES AGAIN. THE DELAY HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE TURNING LEFT, WHICH LEAVES ME AT A RISK OF EITHER BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND OR HEAD ON COLLISION FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY PACK HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE AND THEY CONSIDERED THE MATTER CLOSED. SAME INFORMATION WAS RELAYED FROM THE TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR SATURN. ONCE THE RECALL SERVICE IS COMPLETE, THAT'S IT. VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE A PATTERN OF HYBRID BATTERY REPLACEMENT (07/19/2010 AND NOW, MARCH 2013). IN MY OPINION, THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED AND THE MANUFACTURER GIVES NO IMPLICATION THAT THE SERVICES COMPLETED SOLVED ANYTHING. HYBRID COMPONENT PACK REPLACEMENT APPROX. EVERY 1 OR TWO YEARS SOUNDS UNREASONABLE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IF ,IN FACT, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH HAVING TO OWN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10502058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.