Starter problems of the 2007 Saturn VUE

Severe problem with hybrid / electrical system impairing safety, use and value of the vehicle. Began with engine shutting down and restarting itself - lurching forward when it does - despite pressure on the brake. At a later date noticed a strong odor consistent with an electrical fire inside the vehicle cabin. On another occasion the engine shut down losing all power and vehicle functionality - including power steering and other vehicle systems. The vehicle would not restart. On the most recent occurrence the vehicle shut down, restarted itself and the check engine light and battery light came on yet again. The vehicle then proceeded to shutdown again three more times while enroute to the dealership for the attempted repair under warranty. Since February 2010, the hybrid batteries have been replaced twice and the ecm reprogrammed three times, the starter generator / alternator has been replaced and the starter generator control module relay has been replaced. The problem with the hybrid / electrical system still has not been isolated or resolved - despite an eight year, 100,000 mile warranty from the manufacturer and now assumed by general motors. At this point the vehicle has been taken to the Saturn and gm dealers for service on the hybrid / electrical system a total of 6 times in the past 10 months. The vehicle has been out of service now for the last 26 days and is still at the dealership trying to be repaired.

My Saturn hybrid Vue has had several "incidents" since it's purchase. The first was at around 800 miles. The vehicle stalled and could not be started for several minutes. All engine and traction control lights were on. When it finally started, it jerked severely and lunged forward several times. Had another vehicle or a pedestrian been in front of me they would have been hit. I had the car towed into Saturn service. There were several problem codes in ecm. They said it was a chaffed wire that needed to insulated. At around 1,200 miles the jerking happened again. Over the next couple of months there would be episodes of where the engine lights or traction control lights came on and it would stall but then it would drive fairly normal. I checked with onstar to do a diagnostic check and they said every thing seemed ok. I complained to the Saturn dealer but the problem seemed to be persistent but intermittent. I began to fear driving the vehicle, especially with my grandchildren in it. All during this time the mileage was very low (especially for a hybrid). Three month's since its first failure I took the Saturn Vue into service with all the engines lights on -- they found problems with starter generator, and the charging and autostop systems related to the 12 v and 36 volt batteries. They replaced the engine wiring harness. Now it is one month later and it is going back into service for lunging forward at a stop sign, and for answers about why I get such low mpg (22).