2007 Saturn Vue: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2007 Saturn Vue
On the 2007 Saturn Vue, the failure owners report most often is other electrical problem, and the reports cluster around 60,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other body or interior problem, reported by a median of 45,000 miles. Overall it scores 62 out of 100, high risk for a 2007.
High risk for a 2007 — 320th riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. 417 owner reports; fleet size borrowed from other years of the same model.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 41 named failure modes on the 2007 Saturn Vue, and the three most-reported carry 38% of everything filed.
Other electrical problem leads with 65 reports, about 1.0 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 39k to 105,000 miles.
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault follows with 51 reports, usually reported between 68k to 100,000 miles.
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure follows with 42 reports, usually reported between 62k to 125,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (140), airbag (62) and engine (43).
When these failures get reported
345 of the reports on the 2007 Saturn Vue came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 80,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 26% by 50,000 miles, 65% by 100,000 miles and 89% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 9 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 80,000 and 90,000 miles, which alone holds 12% of the dated reports.
16% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: other body or interior problem around 45k, other electrical problem around 61k, other engine problem around 69k and control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure around 71k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 41. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 9 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 10 mention a crash, 14 a fire and 9 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.10, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault at $300–$1,600, ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure at $250–$1,500 and other engine problem at $300–$4,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
18% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 65 | 55 | 39k | 61k | 105k | 1.0 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 51 | 46 | 68k | 80k | 100k | 0.8 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 42 | 35 | 62k | 100k | 126k | 0.6 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 18 | 15 | 50k | 69k | 104k | 0.3 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 17 | 12 | 67k | 97k | 141k | 0.3 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 14 | 14 | 99k | 115k | 230k | 0.2 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 14 | 10 | 22k | 77k | 132k | 0.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 12 | 8 | 71k | 84k | 103k | 0.2 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 11 | 10 | 4k | 71k | 82k | 0.2 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 11 | 10 | 30k | 45k | 58k | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 10 | 5 | — | 3k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 8 | 5 | — | 89k | — | 0.1 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 8 | 7 | — | 22k | — | 0.1 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 7 | 7 | — | 5k | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 6 | 3 | — | 70k | — | 0.1 | $200–$900 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 5 | 5 | — | 80k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 5 | 5 | — | 81k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 5 | 5 | — | 84k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 5 | 4 | — | 18k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Electrical fire or melted wiring | electrical | 4 | 4 | — | 180k | — | 0.1 | $1,500–$9,000 | Critical |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 4 | 4 | — | 89k | — | 0.1 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Wheel bearing or hub failure | drivetrain | 4 | 4 | — | 81k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 4 | 4 | — | 43k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 4 | 1 | — | 134k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Overheating | cooling | 3 | 3 | — | 140k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Fuel gauge or level sensor failure | fuel | 3 | 3 | — | 130k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,200 | Moderate |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 3 | 2 | — | 148k | — | 0.0 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 3 | 3 | — | 70k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 3 | 3 | — | 53k | — | 0.0 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 2 | — | 51k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 3 | 3 | — | 72k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 59k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 2 | 2 | — | 177k | — | 0.0 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| CV axle or driveshaft failure | drivetrain | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,200 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 86k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Rust or structural corrosion | body | 1 | 1 | — | 204k | — | 0.0 | $500–$6,000 | High |
| Door latch or handle failure | body | 1 | 1 | — | 57k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | High |
| Wiper or washer failure | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $120–$800 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 1 | — | 100k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 47 | 40 | 52k | 93k | 124k | 0.7 | — | Moderate |
This year had no usable recall paperwork, so the fleet-size estimate is the median of other years of the same model. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2007 Saturn Vue draws about 6.2 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 83rd percentile of complaint rates among 2007 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. This year had no usable recall paperwork, so the fleet-size estimate is the median of other years of the same model.
The working figure is 67,385 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2007 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other electrical problem
Our new 2007 saturn vue green line hybrid SUV had a check engine and battery light at 2334 mileage. We luckily were in town and parked the car in our driveway, which was then toed to the dealership for repair. This could have resulted in failure of the vehicle in traffic or on an interstate with catastrophic consequences. Saturn had a tech doc#1978388 and tsb#07-06-03-004 as noted on our service receipt. It is very disturbing that they knew the problem existed with these vehicles and did not perform a engine harness jumper replacement and reprogram before the new vehicle was sold. I would refer the NHTSA to the edmund townhall forum at the web address below which has similar complaints, which also list incidences of the saturn vue green line stopping in traffic due to the same problem. Http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/webx/.f0d7fdb/ *jb I believe this is a potentially life-threatening safety problem that needs to be addressed.
Hello, I am writing concerning issues with my brand new saturn green-line hybrid vue. I purchased it about 2 months ago, and there have been some frightening issues. This is a serious issue about the voluntary recall of the green-line hybrid vue- the fix does not work. It has put our family in harm's way. I received a voluntary recall notice to fix the electric harness wiring on my hybrid, to prevent problems. Well, I took it in today, and not less than 1 minute after I left the dealership the engine light came on (first time ever). Then about 8 minutes later, all hell broke loose in the car... All electronics failed- radio lights, dash lights, headlights, engine wouldn't change gears, lights were flashing on and off, speedometer didn't work, then they were all flickering, then the headlights went out, onstar died, radio died, power steering died! Me and my family were in the car and almost died in a head on collision because I couldn't barely steer the car!! Well, from taking my new car in to prevent a problem, to the saturn team almost killing us, I am far from happy. Please let whoever needs to know this, know immediately. If…
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault
I have two 2007 saturn vehicles, a vue and an ion the air bag light comes on periodically. I took the vue to a dealer and they said the sensor was bad and wanted to charge about $500.00 to fix it. The ion has the same problem but I haven't taken it in to be checked. It looks to me like there is a problem with the 2007 saturns and should be fixed by gm. *kb
Air bag light on dash illuminated if the heated seat is not toggled regularly from low to high. On permanently and does not recognize seat occupant if heated seat is left in the off position. Heated seat does not work even if in the low or high position. *tt
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure
Tl*the contact 2007 saturn vue. When the contact stated attempted to exit the vehicle, the key was stuck inside of the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer each time the failure occurred where the ignition switch would be replaced or new keys to the vehicle would be provided. The failure mileage was 23,446 and the current mileage is 41,537. Updated 7/26/10 *cn updated 08/18/10*jb
I needed to use my car to do routine chores, the key would not turn. I called the dealer that I got the car from and was told they would need to tow the car in, put it on a machine and replace the ignition switch at my expense. I refuse since I had just purchased the car in february of 2013. I called a lock smith who informed me that something was wrong with the way the ignition switch was placed in these cars. I paid to have it fixed by the lock switch. It got stuck again the next day and he replaced it again, at my expense. It is beginning to stick again, where can I go to get the problem resolved without expense to me. *tr
How it ranks in the 2007 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
High risk for a 2007 — 320th riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 8 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2007 comes out best at 62 and 2003 worst at 73, with 2007 itself at 62.
No other year of this model scores meaningfully better than 2007, so if this generation is what you want, the year is not the lever.
Within the 2002–2007 generation specifically, 2007 is the strongest year at 62 and 2003 the weakest at 73.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2002-2007 generation, 2007 Saturn Vue scores best at 62 and 2003 Saturn Vue worst at 73.
What the numbers say to check
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure from about 4k, other powertrain problem from about 22k, other body or interior problem from about 30k and other electrical problem from about 39k.
On a 2007 Saturn Vue with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
What this page cannot tell you
417 owner reports; fleet size borrowed from other years of the same model. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 417 reports, 345 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 83% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Saturn Vue?
The most-reported failures are other electrical problem (65 reports, median 60,000 miles), airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault (51 reports, median 80,000 miles) and ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure (42 reports, median 100,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2007 Saturn Vue problems start?
Other body or interior problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 45,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 30,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 80,000 miles.
Is the 2007 Saturn Vue reliable?
It scores 62 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 320th riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2007 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Saturn Vue is best?
Within the 2002–2007 generation, 2007 scores best at 62 out of 100 and 2003 worst at 73. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed