The most-reported Vue run is 3GSCL33P58S (2008 builds) with 18 complaints, 4.4× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 28% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 5.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for Vue model years 2002–2009.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saturn Vue has 469 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Vue complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3GSCL33P58S•••••• | 2008 | 3 | — | |
| 5GZCZ33D63S•••••• | 2003 | — | 1 | |
| 5GZCZ33D13S•••••• | 2003 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5GZCZ33D53S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 3GSCL33P48S•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 5GZCZ33DX3S•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 5GZCZ33D23S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5GZCZ43D23S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 3GSCL53758S•••••• | 2008 | 1 | 1 | |
| 5GZCZ43D13S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5GZCZ33D03S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5GZCZ53424S•••••• | 2004 | — | — |
Each of the other 457 Vue runs has 14 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 22 Vue VINs so far, most often 2009, 2008, 2007 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Saturn Vue the gap between build years is 4.8×: a 2003 car draws 5.7 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | 5 | — | |
| 2009 | 107 | 44 | 7 | |
| 2008 | 353 | 75 | 14 | |
| 2007 | 257 | 67 | 10 | |
| 2006 | 245 | 51 | 14 | |
| 2005 | 149 | 59 | 14 | |
| 2004 | 229 | 65 | 18 | |
| 2003 | 465 | 82 | 19 | |
| 2002 | 128 | 37 | 10 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 5.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2010 at 1.2.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 28% of everything Saturn Vue owners report: Electrical System, 581 of 1,939 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 11 | 22 | |
| Power Train | 18 | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 55 | 4 | |
| Steering | 8 | 6 | |
| Engine | 6 | 11 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 4 | |
| Suspension | 12 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Saturn Vue; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2009. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V490000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2002–2004 |
| 08V470000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 2008–2009 |
| 08V616000 | Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm | 2009 |
| 09V233000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 2008 |
| 08V200000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 2008 |
| 03V519000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2004 |
14V490000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2002: 12 years on the road before the recall.
The Vue against its rivals
The Vue draws 4.1 complaints per production run; the Jeep Commander 7 and the Buick Rendezvous 5.7. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturn Vue | 1,939 | 469 | 5.5% | |
| Jeep Commander | 2,879 | 412 | 3.5% | |
| Buick Rendezvous | 973 | 171 | 4.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,939 reports on the Saturn Vue, 5.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Saturn Vue | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,939 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 106 (5.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 39 (2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 89 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saturn Vue share of that is 1,939 complaints over 469 runs, 0.17% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Saturn Vue VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,939 NHTSA complaints from 469 Vue runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Vue production run has the most complaints?
3GSCL33P58S, a 2008 build, with 18 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical Vue run has 4.1.
Which Vue years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 5.7 complaints per run and 2010 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Vue get more complaints than the Jeep Commander?
No: 4.1 complaints per production run for the Vue against 7 for the Jeep Commander.
How many Vue complaints involve a crash?
5.5% of 1,939 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 39 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.