Four problems related to steering rack and pinion have been reported for the 2008 Saturn VUE. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Saturn VUE based on all problems reported for the 2008 VUE.
Tl the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Vue. While pulling out of a parking lot, the steering wheel jerked and seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering motor and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact called milton ruben superstore at (888) 516-3797 (3512 washington rd, augusta, GA 30907) where the technician recommended a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to pay for the vehicle to be towed to the dealer, but would not cover the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 131,102.
In 2013 I had steering wheel problems with the 2008 Saturn Vue xr and the dealer replaced at the beginning of the year the rack and pinion and front wheels strut bearings and I paid around $900. This year, I start having problems again with the steering wheel ( not being able to steer at low speed and low steering fluid level ) and the dealer cost was $530 replacing the steering pump. Gm had a recall on this type of vehicle on the steering fluid line nut but my VIN number was not included. I called gm asking for cost assistance since it is the same system ( steering ) and concerned about safety and the only thing they offered this year was to call the dealer to see if they can assist. This is a lot of money ( $1,430 ) to be spent by a vehicle owner on the same vehicle system ( steering ) that is related to safety and my concern is that the problems will not stop here. This should be a recall since I found a lot of Saturn owners complaining about steering wheel ( components ) issues.
I was driving my daughter to hair appointment, taking a sharp curve and all of a sudden I heard a noise, and I lost all steering, we veered off of road and I got the vehicle stopped. We were very lucky their was nobody coming the opposite way, or a little farther up road was a gully!! the pinion was totally stripped out from rack. It really was a serious unsafe situation! and I see I am not the only person to experience this.
Started making a rubber on rubber sound when turning. Now at 89000 miles has started to bind and noticeably takes an effort to turn. It does not prevent a turn. Dealer said it is a faulty rack and pinion and will probably cost $900. 00 to repair. It has been suggested that it is common to the Vue.