2008 VUE XE Transmission issues

[gel85]

We have an '08 XE FWD and have noticed the same issue. It depends on where the cruise is set, but if it is set too high then I've noticed that it will just downshift regardless of whether or not you are going uphill or not. The only problem is that it never wants to shift back to overdrive.

I feel the vehicle has too high a gear ratio for fuel economy and the engine hasn't enough power to accelerate the vehicle without down shifting. The trouble is it slows below the target speed and then wants to accelerate in a passing mode to regain the 5 mph lost; thus, overshooting the desired speed. It then backs off the accelerator, up shifts and proceeds to go through the whole cycle again. It would not be so bad if it would down shift only one gear rather than two.

[gel85]

Ok
the dealer could not duplicate the problem. He went in and erased the computers learning memory. The service manager said there were no technical bulletins but could be in the future. The sales manager said even if I had swaped out the car for another 2008 VUE XE it probably would have done the same. His comment was it appears the new engine/tranny combo is not working because of the additional weight of the car. Thats it in a nutshell.

He also said that the more people that bring their cars in and id that issue even if they do not resolve it the more chance of some kind of change happening at SATURN via a technical bulletin or recall or retrofit. So keep complaining to your saturn service department.