general problems of the 2008 Saturn VUE - part 1

I noticed a few days ago that the wheel was getting harder to turn so I made a maintenance appointment for Saturday I was driving to work in texas in fort worth coming from arlington today and smoke started coming from under the hood I pulled over and it was smoking I was on the highway so to get off the highway in a safe area I had to drive about 5 more miles up the road to the next exit so I started driving it didn’t smoke right off so a couple of minutes into the drive it starts smoking so I finally get to the exit smoke is now coming through the vents , I hurry and pull over and go to open the door it wouldn’t open I then I climb over and get out the back door I go into the business parking lot at this point it’s engulfed in black smoke and then it starts burning.

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 08v470000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,445.

2008 Saturn Vue awd. Steering wheel is very difficult to turn while driving. There is a lot of resistance. No leaking fluid visible and no visible loss of fluid levels. Transmission was torn down/repaired in 2017 for metal bits present at 95,000 (approximate) miles. It is currently at 107,600 miles. Transmission gets stuck in lower gear and rpms rev up without the vehicle gaining acceleration. The tear down/rebuild was due to bad 3 5 wave plate also and seems to be replicating the issue again. Check engine light comes on amd goes off intermittently and cannot get issue to replicate at the mechanics. Key has also gotten stuck in the barrel. Took almost 2 hours to try numerous ways to get it to release-also had to unlock manually on the door handle, none of the lights inside worked and when it was able to get started it was very slow and deliberate. Battery appeared to be dead but after jump starting and taking to have it checked, battery was found to be fine. These are serious concerns regarding the vehicle as 1 or all could cause serious damage to the driver and others on the road. It happened again today with the high rpms and low gear/not shifting to next gear.

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from under the dashboard on the passenger’s side. The contact stated that the abnormal grinding sound was also heard while the gear shifter was in park(p). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle. The contact added power steering fluid to the vehicle; however, the power steering fluid was leaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact stated that the power steering fluid leaked out entirely after driving for a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The contact stated that a clamp was added and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that there was oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 08v470000 (steering) and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under recall and that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 08v470000 (steering). The failure mileage was 83,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was lack power steering fluid. The contact added power steering fluid to the vehicle; however, the power steering fluid was leaking while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. The contact stated that the power steering fluid would leak entirely after an hour drive. Additionally, the contact stated the leakage was more significant while the vehicle was parked. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 08v470000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

While driving on the freeway, something weird happened with the steering wheel & my daughter lost control of her vehicle. She crashed into the brick wall on the freeway & totaled her vehicle. She was hospitalized & had to have surgery to repair a broken jaw (in two places), fractured bone under her left eye, & other various fractures in her face. Her teeth were also knocked out of alignment on the bottom.

The contact's cousin owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that while his cousin was driving 65 mph, the power steering locked which caused the vehicle to veer off to the left side off the highway across three lanes of traffic. The contact's cousin was able to stop the vehicle on the shoulder of the highway. The contact stated that he was uncertain if any warning lights had illuminated prior to or during the failure. After some time, his cousin was able to restart the vehicle and the power steering returned with normal operation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

It is hard to turn when it sit idle, and the steering wheel only loosenes up when I press on the gas pedal, witch makes it hard to park or turn when at a green light or stop sign and when I reverse or need to go forward and turn a little bit in small spaces to adjust the placement of which my vehicle is in its to dangerous because in order to move the steering wheel you have to press on the gas pedal and the vehicle has to be in motion for the steering wheel to move without having to use so much strength to force it to turn.

The steering wheel locks up and is hard to turn! this is unacceptable I looked it up and it was a recall!! I need to know the steps to access how to get it fixed!! the vehicle was drip at the time and the information center has a light that came on.

Trouble with my steering!! it's bad I fear the safety for my family!!!the problem hapenned while in motion on highway 6!!.

My steering tigthrns up when I am in reverse or drive and the way I get it to lossen is putting back back I drive and moivn then back in reverse.

On Friday October 26, 2018, my battery died. I had it replaced after the tow company diagnosed it. It was later discovered that the alternator was malfunctiong. My car on a busy intersection just died with on coming heavy traffic. I could not move or put it in nuetural to move it. It had to be jumped in order to clear the dangerous situation. My concern that the car just locked up, no power or ability to move. I could not use my hazard lights. A very unsafe situation. The vehicle was in motion and then I was accelerating then all of a sudden everything went dark. Please advise of what type of documentation you will need for this file? I am just writing because this was a safety related malfunctioning that was life threatening.

The vehicle is having problem with the electric steering. Unlike the fully functional power steering wheel does, it makes the driving experience feel unsafe. It feels extremely obvious when making sharp turns, which could be extremely dangerous.

Power steering doen not work.

My car was not steering correctly. It was veering back and forth to the yellow line and to the right. I took it in to the mechanic and he replaced the steering rack. (driving on streets).

Takata recall. While I was making a turn on my 2008 Saturn Vue the steering wheel got stiff and I couldnt turn it no more. . . I stepped on the brakes and it started working again but now the steering wheel feels more stiff and sometimes shakes as I make turns.

"takata recall" while driving I hear some knock noise and when making a left curve turn my steering wheel will lock before I can complete the left curve turn forcing me to steer right then left to brake hold while making a left curve turn. The Saturn Vue I got it (10-11-2017) with 66450 miles on it now it has 68845 miles (11-28-2017) now I can trust this car and I see other have steering issue.

When the key switch is in the on position there is a click at the position (approximately ten degrees, right) where the steering wheel lock appears to be attempting to engage. This could lock up the steering wheel while making a slow right turn, as when exiting a freeway. When the key switch is in lock position and key is removed the warning chime still occurs when the door is opened.

Stiff steering at times around corners. Almost like no power assisting the turn. Comes back right after the turn.

"takata recall" my 2008 Saturn Vue has been recalled for 3 items, all of which I am experiencing issues with but according to my VIN number my vehicle does not apply for these recalls. I did receive a notice a few years ago but since my vehicle was still okay at the time, I never brought it in. The 3 recalls are as follows: 1. Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, 2. Power train:automatic transmission, 3. Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. My vehicle is currently at mike anderson chevrolett due to these issues but the only item that's appearing covered is the transmission. I don't understand how my VIN has anything to do with the recall when all the 2008 Saturn Vue's are made with the same parts. I would like an investigation to be made due to my vehicle falling under the recall category but not falling under the correct VIN number category. My vehicle currently won't allow me to go pass 40mph, my steering wheel gets locked making it hard for me to turn and there is a leak, also when my locks are unlocked the handles still won't open as if it's still locked. Immediate attention is respectfully requested.

Traveling at 80 mph on interstate, stepped on gas to change lanes, and engine revved, but no power to move. Had to run off of the highway onto the grass berm. Before that happened, the steering wheel had been acting strangely - much vibration and play. My sister and I could have been killed had the car overturned or something at that speed. Now I am told the car needs new transmission, struts, and power steering issue still being looked at. Can I get any help from gm dealer with this dangerous issue. I read that these exact issues affected my model and year, with recalls. Please investigate and advise.

First was the parking brake, after shopping in williamsburg mall we got back in the car and would not move, the parking brakes got stuck. Towed to mechanic and they released the brake so tha we could go back home, richmond. And told me not to engage the parking brake till a mechanic in my city will fix the problem. Today Dec 12 2016, the brakes started to lock while drivin home after taking my wife to work, within the city, I noticed that the pedal was getting harder, I did made home and I checked the wheels,all four, and the disks were very hot to the touch and the brak3s are locked, the car is about 58. 000 miles only. Any idea what is, I have to mention that 5/6 month ago I had problem with th abs, all lights concerning the brakes came on, traction and abs and others, it cost me around $300. 00 to fix that problem. Any knoledge of other people having these problems, is the manufacturer resonsible for these? also the power stearing fluid need to be filled every month, I notice oil on the driveway. Thank you carlo gangale and debra moore.

While driving to school my 2008 Saturn Vue the power steering suddenly went out. I parked and turned off the car. After 15minutes I restarted it and started driving everything was fine. This is the 3th time that it happens. I spend some money fixing it and it happens again. I would like to know what is the problem or what part I need to replace. I know that this is a common problem and the gm is doing nothing to fix the problem.

Power steering intermittently stops working making very difficult to steer vehicle.

After driving my car the ignition key would not turn to the "off" position once the car is stopped and the shifter in park. The key was stuck the after driving ? had power but I couldnt remove my key , its stuck , couldn't move my steering wheel its locked. I tried moving back into the park position several times before the ignition key would release allowing the key out so can leave. Key in "off" position. I couldnt remove the key, steering wheel locked up, this happened twice now ? both times after driving in on slightly bumpy road fwy. ?.

My wife told me she was having some difficulty steering so I drove the car myself this morning. As I started out, yes, I found turning the steering wheel felt quite klunky. When I got up on the freeway all of a sudden the steering wheel just locked straight ahead. I bumped the brakes and hit the steering wheel to get the car to veer right to get onto the exit. By the grace of god I made it. Then it all of a sudden got a bit looser and I was able to get back home. It's at the mechanic now.

Are their any recalls on any parts?.

Driving down road, went to turn right onto other road when power steering went out. Looks to be blown line.

While backing out of a parking spot, my car just quit, locked up steering, everything dead. Could not move the steering wheel or anything. Car did start up again. Drove down the road a 1/2 block and car stopped again, dead in road, no steering, could not operate door locks or anything. Car started again and managed to move the car to a safe spot before it went out again. Nothing was workable. When the car was taken to Chevrolet dealer in llano, TX it was diagnosed as the positive connection to the main fuse box had come loose. The only fix was complete replacement of the fuse box assembly because the main positive lug to the fuse box is only held on by plastic. The design of this fuse box is definitely poor creating the possibility of a very dangerous situation. Had I been driving on the highway at a high rate of speed when this occurred, the outcome could have been disastrous causing an accident and possible death. This poorly designed fuse box with main lug nut held by only plastic needs to be addressed immediately to prevent future accidents and possible death to occupants of the vehicle.

My power steering and transmission doesn't work, I just found out that my vehicle is on recall and the dealer never told me.

While driving vehicle on the expressway, the power steering locked up like car had stalled momentarily then regained power. Startled I decided to exit freeway and while making a right hand turn it locked solid again and I heard like a actuator motor make a buzzing sound. This made me very nervous because I lost power twice. I called onstar right away to report incident . This was extremely dangerous. I have driven thousands of cars in my lifetime as I was a former g. M. Dealer but I never have experienced anything like this . I am very concerned someone could be injured severely if this problem occurs in this car or others like it.

Key wouldn't engage in ignition and steering wheel locked up while parked.

Vehicle all of the sudden stopped in the middle of an intersection. Everything ran fine as far as electrical, just wouldn't drive. Power steering has been going out many times.