RoadVitals

2008 Saturn Outlook Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
52
Latest Jul 2, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 633 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Saturn Outlook submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 52 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 52, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 2, 2020

ENGINE POWER REDUCED- THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING, IN TOWN. MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE INSULATION WAS DETERIORATED AND WIRING WAS STUCK TOGETHER. LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER, ENGINE STOPS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF ROAD, CAR RESTARTED, TRYING TO GET HOME, CAR DIED AGAIN, WOULD NOT RESTART, TOWED TO AUTO SHOP AGAIN. AUTO REPAIR IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, IT WILL RUN GREAT AND JUST RANDOMLY STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING, CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS NOW. NOTHING IS CODING WHEN THEY RUN DIAGNOSTICS. THEY HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE! I AM HAVING THEM KEEP THE CAR UNTIL PROBLEM IS RESOLVED BECAUSE I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND END UP IN A WRECK. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT I WAS IN TOWN WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED, THAT I WAS IN TOWN AND MY GRANDKIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR WITH ME! THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY RISK!!! THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T GO ON A PLANNED 12 HOUR TRIP TO COLORADO! NOTE: I HAVE ALREADY PUT $6500.00 IN REPAIRS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF RANDOM ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11337172
Incident
Jun 23, 2020
Mileage
159,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2019

OIL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I THINK ITS AN INTERNAL LEAK

NHTSA ID
11241922
Incident
Aug 13, 2018
AirbagsEngineSteering
Filed May 24, 2019

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT AND RETURNS CAUSING JERKY LURCHING TURNS COUPLE YEARS NOW SINCE REACHING OVER 100K MILEAGE, HAVE 173K MILES CURRENTLY. IS NOW LEAKING FLUID. PCV VALVE REPLACED TWICE, NOT RECALLED BUT MECHANICS HAVE SAID IT'S COMMON FOR MY VEHICLE, CAUSES HESITATION WHILE IDLING LIKE IT'S TRYING TO STALL OUT. HAVE HAD TO PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND REV GAS AT STOPLIGHTS. AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS, PASSENGER SIDE DOESN'T DETECT. ALTHOUGH RECALL, DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE DIAGNOSTIC FEES EVEN WHEN I HAD DONE FOR FREE AT LOCAL PARTS STORE AND GAVE THEM CODE, THEY SAY HAVE TO DO THEIR OWN. PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL DOWN, BUT DOES ROLL UP, WITH DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROLS, DOES WORK WITH PASSENGER SIDE CONTROLS. SOMETIMES DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW STICKS TOO EITHER UP/DOWN HAVE TO BANG ON DOOR FOR IT TO ENGAGE. SPEAKERS HAVEN'T WORKED PROPERLY IN YEARS EITHER.

NHTSA ID
11209626
Incident
May 24, 2019
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 14, 2019
Fire reported

ISSUES WITH MY OUTLOOK ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ENGINE ON FIRE, ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH STABILIZER/TRACKING CONTROLS, WINDOWS/MIRROR AND MAINLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO LOW OR 2ND GEAR. I HAD TO PULL TO EMERGENCY LANE AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TWICE. DEALER STATES ITS AN ISSUE WITH OBD/OBI CODES AND CLEARS CODE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DO THIS ALMOST DAILY, WEEKLY. WATER LEAKS THROUGH SUNROOF, FRONT WINDOW GLASS, UNDER DASH ON FEET OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER; WATER LEAKS VIA DVD SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND I COASTED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND LIFTED HOOD THE FLAMES STARTED, FIRE DEPT. CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY TO PUT OUT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WIRES, TUBES, ETC UNDER HOOD. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW AND MIRROR WILL NOT PUSH OUT OF ROLL DOWN DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. RECALL ON STRUTS FOR AUTO LIFT GATE, BUT REAL ISSUE IS MODULE TO LIFT LIFTGATE WAS A FEE TO BE REPAIRED. WHAT DID RECALL COVER WITH LIFT GATE? THESE ISSUES HAPPEN NO STOP SINCE 2012 WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED. I DROVE ON INTERSTATE AND AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TRANSMISSION WENT TO LOW GEAR AND I ALMOST WAS HIT BECAUSE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND POWER/SPEED INSTANTLY DROPPED.

NHTSA ID
11180048
Incident
Feb 14, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 7, 2018

BOUGHT FROM STERLING MOTORS IN WATERTOWN SD, IN 2017. TRADE IN WAS 2000, PLUS 500 DOLLARS CASH, FOR A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK XR AWD. LOAN WAS FOR 10000 AFTER THE 2500 TRADE/PAYMENT. HAD 160000 MILES NOW HAS 180000. WITHIN LESS OF A WEEK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, STABILITRAC, SERVICE AIR BAG, TIMING CHAIN, TRACTION CONTROL ALL CAME ON. AS OF 2018 WE HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, BRAKES. STRUTS, ROTORS, TIE RODS, BATTERY, CO2 SENSOR, THERMOSTAT, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. IT STILL NEEDS POWER STEERING PUMP, TIMING CHAIN FIX, CV JOINTS REPLACED AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME I CAN NOT TRADE BACK, AND WHEN WE BOUGHT IT HE SAID IT PASSED THE SUSPECTION TEST AND CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. HE HAD TO TOP OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID AS IT WAS WHINING AND LOW, SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY FLUSHED IT. SO NOW UPON TURNING IT HAS THIS WEIRD RUBBING VIBRATION AND LOUD SOUND, IT SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS, IT LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING STUTTERS AT LOW SPEEDS, PASSENGER WINDOW BUTTON DON'T WORK, LOUD NOISES WHEN IDLING, WHINING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING EITHER JUST FROM STATIONARY OR DRIVING. IT TAKES FOREVER TO PASS SOMEONE AS IT ALMOST STALLS WITH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT HAS A WEIRD CHEMICAL SMELL WHEN USING HEATER. THIS SATURN OUTLOOK IS UNRELIABLE, VERY UNSAFE EVEN AFTER FIXING WHAT I HAD ALREADY FIXED. I HAVE AN INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS FROM WATERTOWN FORD DEALERSHIP IN SOUTH DAKOTA. STERLING MOTORS WILL NOT HELP, SAID THEY COULD FIX BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND WORK. HE SOLD ME A LEMON AND HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELLBEING OF ME, MY CHILDREN OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. TALK TO THE LOAN PLACE AND ALL THEY SAID IS I HAVE AN AGREEMENT TO PAY REGARDLESS IF THE CAR WORKS OR NOT. I'M CURRENTLY 2 MONTHS BEHIND. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER 700-3000 FIX WHILE PAYING 300 A MONTH FOR A SUV THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11138849
Incident
Apr 17, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 16, 2018

I HAVE 1 REAR BRAKE GOING OUT. THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS LIKE A SIEVE. I HAVE A LEAK SOMEWHERE NEAR MY RADIATOR. AND I'M TOLD THE CHIP IN MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON ME. I HAVE MY DASH BOARD SCREECHING BLOODY MURDER AT ME AND MY EARS SWELL AND I LOOK LIKE I HAVE THE MUMPS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOT I'M BUYING FROM AND THEY SHRUG AND SAY OH WELL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I RARELY IF EVER GO ON THE FREEWAY. I PARK OFF THE STREET. I USE THE ALARM SYSTEM RELIGIOUSLY. AND IT'S OVER HEATING WHERE THE BATTERY IS.

NHTSA ID
11073263
Incident
Feb 13, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 28, 2017

MY SATURN 2008 ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY SUV IS RUNNING BAD, MY AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON AND MY TRACTION LIGHT IS ALSO ON.

NHTSA ID
11002054
Incident
Jun 26, 2017
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 22, 2016

11/17/2016 REPLACED 2 TRANSMISSION IN TWO YEARS WITHIN A FEW WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM REPAIR SHOP WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON 12/16/16 THE CAR STOP RUNNING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. DEALER STATES THROTTLE BODY WAS FREEZING DO TO CONDENSATION BUILDING UP WITHIN THROTTLE BODY STATED THIS IS COMMON IN THESE CARS. AGAIN GOT THE CAR BACK AFTER SPENDING A TON MORE MONEY GETTING IT FIXED HAD TO TAKE IT RIGHT BACK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITHIN 20MI OF DRIVING. DON'T WASTE YOU TIME BUYING THESE LEMON CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10937079
Incident
Dec 16, 2016
Mileage
116,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND HEARD A LOUD POP BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE FLAMES ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE, AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,415.

NHTSA ID
10929429
Incident
Oct 4, 2015
Mileage
84,415 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 25, 2016

DURING TRANSIT ON INTERSTATE THE ENGINE STOP PROVIDING POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION AND RPM DECREASED TO 1,000 WHILE DECELERATING THE VEHICLE FROM 70MPH TO 45MPH MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CHANGE LANES TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ALMOST RESULTING IN A FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. AFTER ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS THE ENGIN REENGAGED. 30 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLES SYSTEM ALERTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS OVERHEATING AND RECOMMENDED THAT WE PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NUTRAL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID
10927848
Incident
Nov 24, 2016
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 11, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STABILITRAK AFFECTING THE BRAKES,TRANSMISSION,AND ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET CAR NOW WILL NOT START.

NHTSA ID
10915427
Incident
Oct 11, 2016
Mileage
176,680 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LOST POWER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10897722
Incident
Jun 15, 2016
Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A FUEL STATION AND WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10896406
Incident
Jul 20, 2016
Mileage
86,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2016

DRIVING ON A SMALL HIGHWAY AND THE STABILI RAK LIGHT BLINKED AND A CHIME RANG. ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON TO SERVICE STABILITRAK WHILE CAR BEGAN TO BUCK AND LOSE POWER. HAD TROUBLE GETTING CAR TO ACCELERATE - CAR KEPT BUCKING AND IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS AFRAID OF GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND SINCE I COULDN'T MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ERROR LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. IN THE YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR, I HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE THE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND THE CHIME WOULD RING WITH THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE CASES, THE CAR HESITATED BRIEFLY BUT MAINTAINED A MORE NORMAL SPEED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A GM DEALER AND IT WAS A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. THE SATURN OUTLOOK FOR 2007 AND 2009 HAVE SPECIAL WARRANTIES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2008 MODEL. GM DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE EXISTS ON THIS MODEL YEAR - BUT I HAVE FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE ON YOUR SITE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
10896364
Incident
Jul 16, 2016
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 3, 2015

TIMING CHAIN FOR 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK NOT COVERED UNDER SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR REPLACEMENT BUT THEY ARE COVERING THE 2007 AND 2009 MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SAME PART NUMBERS AND WERE ALL PRODUCED THE SAME WAY FOR 3 YEARS THEY ARE NOT COVERING KNOWN DEFECTS IN THERE PRODUCTS LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR YOURSELF THANKS FOR YOUR TIME FYI RECALL # IS 10287 FOR YOUR REFERENCE

NHTSA ID
10808300
Incident
Dec 3, 2015
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID
10786276
Incident
Apr 30, 2015
Mileage
104,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 4, 2015

THE 2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME ON THE HIGHWAY. THE INCIDENT WAS AROUND 5/13/15 TRAVELING ALONG ROUTE 81. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL THUS LOSING POWER AND CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY.. THE 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 7/31/15. WHILE DRIVING ALONG ROUTE 695 IN BALTIMORE THE WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER AND OVER HEATING THE ENGINE. THUS BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD ON BUSY HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
10746053
Incident
May 13, 2015
Mileage
124,376 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2015

-25 F, 2 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME, 7 PM AT NIGHT, TWO KIDS IN THE CAR, AND TREACHEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS ~ TRANSMISSION FAILS !!!! WAS IN THE SHOP LESS THEN TWO WEEKS PRIOR FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & SERVICE STABILITRAK/TRACTION CONTROL WARNINGS. GM DEALER CLEARED LIGHTS & SAID THEY WERE HISTORIC & NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD & IT ISN'T HUNDRED OF CARS AFFECTED, ITS THOUSANDS AND PROBABLY TENS OF THOUSANDS (AS THESE TRANSMISSIONS PLAGUE THE OUTLOOKS, ACADIAS, TRAVERSES, & ENCLAVES). SO FAR GM IS DOING NOTHING ~ APPARENTLY IT TAKES PEOPLE DYING TO ISSUE MAJOR RECALLS, AND EVEN THEN IT TAKES MANY YEARS AND INVESTIGATIONS BY VARIOUS AGENCIES. UNACCEPTABLE AND CRIMINAL !!!! I HAVE OPENED UP A CASE WITH GM CORPORATE TO SEE IF ANYTHING WILL BE DONE TO OFFSET OR EVEN COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE JUNK TRANSMISSION ($3800) ~ BUT, AFTER READING COUNTLESS BLOGS, WEBPAGES, ECT OF OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCES WITH GM, I AM NOT HOLDING MY BREATH. I WILL CERTAINLY JUMP ON THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAGON, IF IT EXISTS, OR WHEN IT DOES COME TO FRUITION !!! THIS IS CERTAINLY THE LAST GM PRODUCT I WILL EVER BUY! FURTHERMORE, I WILL TAKE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND ANY OTHER PLACE I CAN TO TELL MY STORY AND MAKE SURE OTHERS KNOW ABOUT THESE CARS AND THE "SERVICE" THAT GM PROVIDES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10690771
Incident
Feb 23, 2015
Mileage
86,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2015

DRIVER WAS ON THEIR WAY TO DR APPT WITH SMALL CHILD WHEN THE CAR REVVED VERY HARD & JERKED & MAKING LOUD NOISES. I THEN WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO PARKING, ONSTAR WAS CALLED AND DIAGNOSING IT AS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS THROWING CODES. A TOW TRUCK CAME AND TOOK THE CAR INTO CAVENDER IN SAN ANTONIO.THEY FOUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTORS FAILED. THEY FOUND THE WATER PUMP WAS FAILING AS WELL AND REPLACED IT AS WELL. THE NEXT INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MAY OF 2012, MY HUSBAND WAS BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY & WE WERE ADVISED AFTER WE GOT SETTLED BACK IN OHIO TO HAVE IT SERVICED. IN WHICH WE DID, TO HAVE FOUND THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD A SMALL LEAK. WE TOOK IT TO GM DEALERSHIP DON'S AUTOMOTIVE AS WE HAD A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WORKED THERE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT, THEN NOT EVEN A MONTH WENT BY WE FOUND IT WAS LEAKING. WE THEN DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO DAVE WHITE CHEVROLET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, THEY EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED RIGHT. THEY THEN FIXED IT. WE THEN HAD IT FIXED AND WERE BACK ON THE ROAD. THEN WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THE REVVING AGAIN AND IT WOULD HESITATE WHEN DRIVING CAUSING PANIC IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS FOR MY HUSBAND AND I. WE THEN TOOK IT BACK TO DAVE WHITE TO FIND THERE WAS A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR THAT WAS FAILING. WE THEN HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED. NOT TOO LONG AFTER, WE BEGAN TO NOTICE PINK FLUID ON THE DRIVE, WE IMMEDIATE TOOK IT BACK TO DAVE WHITE, THEY EXPLAINED IT WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT THE COUPLING WAS NOT COVERED BY POWER TRAIN. WE CONTACTED GM BECAUSE THIS SHOULD BE A COVERED PART AS IT COULD CAUSE FAILURE. THEY AGREED TO HELP WITH PAYING FOR IT, BUT DAVE WHITE WAS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. THEN IN NOVEMBER OF 2013, PUTTING IN REVERSE WOULD CAUSE IT TO HESITATE, TRANSMISSION WAS OUT. WE THEN HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT. THEN FEB 2015, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT PASS 1ST GEAR ON BUSY ROAD. IT WAS TOWED 2/23/15 TO DEALERSHIP MCNEILS. *JS

NHTSA ID
10690189
Incident
Feb 23, 2011
Mileage
53,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Feb 10, 2015

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. THERE IS A RAPID DECLINE IN SPEED AND THE VOLT METER DROPS TO LESS THEN 11. I HAVE TO HOPE THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THAT I DO NOT GUIDE THE VEHICLE INTO SOMETHING THAT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE. THE 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF DURING OPERATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, HIGHWAYS AND AT TOLL LOCATIONS INCLUDING BRIDGES AND TUNNELS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND CONTACTED GM TO NO AVAIL. IF THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEN THE ISSUE DOES NOT EXIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682475
Incident
Jul 15, 2009
Mileage
25,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 28, 2015

WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE AND THE WIND IS BLOWING, WHEN I ACCELERATE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES AND THE IT SAYS POWER WILL BE REDUCED. THE POWER IS REDUCED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES A HOUR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF ABOUT 8 TIMES GIVING TIME IN BETWEEN TO RESET SOMETHING. AT THE TIME OF THIS I WAS ACCELERATING ON TO A DUAL HIGHWAY WITH A INFANT IN THE CAR. SO AT APPOINT I TOOK IT TO POAGE'S IN QUINCY ILL, THEY FLUSHED OUT SOMETHING AND THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THEY COULD PROBABLY FIX IT WITH A COST AROUND $800.00. I ASKED THEM IF THERE WAS ANY OTHERS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THEY SAID NO. COME TO FIND OUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 2007 OUTLOOK AND HERS IS DOING THE SAME THING. IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUTSIDE AND WIND COULD BE BLOWING. POAGE SAID WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD OUTTHE AIR INTAKE, AIR SEEMS TO BE SUCKING UP AIR UNDER THE FENDER, WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO TRY FIXING IT SO THE AIR WOULD COME OFF OF THE ENGINE, IT WAS LIKE A VAPOR LOCK. THE LAST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY I WAS PASSING A CAR, ONCE I ACCELERATED THE POWER WAS REDUCED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES, SAME THING TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON THEN IT STATES POWER WILL BE REDUCED. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT SOMEWHERE, I CALLED GMC ALL THE COULD SAY THAT THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS, BUT IN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THEN THEY FURTHER SAID WILL IT IS A SALVAGE TITLE, I HAVE HAD MY OUTLOOK SINCE 02/09 HAD NO COMPLAINTS UP UNTIL JANUARY 2013 WHEN THE WEATHER REALLY GOT COLD. I TOLD GMC I WAS GOING TO CONTACT YOU AND NOTHING WAS SAID. ALSO STATED TO THEM THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE IN MY VEHICLE. THERE WILL BE A LAW SUIT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679554
Incident
Jan 9, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2015

AFTER A NIGHT OF SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES, I TURNED MY CAR ON IN THE GARAGE TO WARM UP PRIOR TO LOADING MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN WE WERE ALL SET, I PULL OUT OF THE GARAGE AND CONTINUE TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY DOWN THE STREET WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE AND MY DASHBOARD PANEL STARTS COMMUNICATING MULTIPLE ERRORS, INCLUDING "ENGINE POWERED DOWN", "SERVICE STABILITRACK", "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON. WHILE ALL THIS IS GOING ON, MY CAR STOPS EXCELLING AND LITERALLY STOPS ME ON THE ROAD ONLY ALLOWING ME TO ACCELERATE TO 1 RPM AND MAYBE GOING 5 MILES AT MOST. AFTER SLOWLY MANEUVERING OUT OF TRAFFIC, I TURNED MY CAR ON AND OFF A FEW TIMES WITHOUT ANY LUCK. AFTER TALKING TO A SERVICE TECHNICIAN, I WAS GOING TO GET IT TOWED FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE I WAS TALKING TO THEN, AND THEN RANDOMLY TURNED IT BACK ON SINCE IT WAS COLD, AND ALL THE ERRORS WENT AWAY AND THE CAR WAS MOVING PROPERLY. AFTER ANOTHER DAY OF DRIVING IT, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND AS I EXITED ON THE RAMP AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, THE WHOLE PROCESSED HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN AT THIS POINT, SINCE I FELT EXTREMELY UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE, KNOWING IT COULD STOP OPERATING RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING. IT TURNS OUT THAT IT GENERATED AN ENGINE POWER DOWN CODE BECAUSE THE THROTTLE WAS AFFECTED. CODE P1516. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) OUT FOR THIS APPARENT ISSUE, BUT I AM UNCERTAIN HOW THIS ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND OTHER MODELS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING IT, CONSIDERING IT LITERALLY STOPS YOUR CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR, I WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. IF YOU CAR STOPS OPERATING PROPERLY WHEN DRIVING THAT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD FOR YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10672048
Incident
Jan 8, 2015
Mileage
72,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 6, 2014

APPROXIMATELY APRIL OF 2014 WE HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO "POP" INTO NEUTRAL (NO CHANGE OF GEARSHIFT LEVER, JUST ENGINE REVVED). AS THE TRUCK NO LONGER HAD POWER, WE MANAGED (THANK GOODNESS) TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER AVOIDING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. MOVED GEARSHIFT LEVER TO PARK AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE WITH NO CHANGE - ENGINE JUST REVVED AS IN NEUTRAL. TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. WHILE WAITING FOR SAME, WE TURNED THE TRUCK BACK ON, AND TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO BOTH WIND GAP CHEVROLET (PLACE OF PURCHASE) AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT AAMCO - VERDICT WAS THE SAME: BROKEN "WAVE PLATE" AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF OVER $3000.00. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DATE. WHEN WE REFERENCED THE ENDLESS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF SAME, GM WAS UNMOVED, ALTHOUGH THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. VERY DANGEROUS - LOSE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH MULTIPLE CLOSE CALLS!!!! HEADLIGHTS: HEADLIGHTS, BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAM, CONTINUALLY BURN ANYWHERE FROM MINUTES TO DAYS AFTER BEING REPLACED. SWITCH ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CANNOT GET LOW BEAMS TO ILLUMINATE AT TIMES, THEN NO HEADLIGHTS AT TIMES. VERY DANGEROUS. AGAIN, ENDLESS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. SUNROOF: ENDLESS ISSUES WITH THE SUNROOF LEAKING AND SOAKING THE FLOORBOARDS ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDES. TAKEN TO WIND GAP CHEVROLET, TOLD WE NEED TO HAVE SUNROOF REPLACED. AGAIN, ENDLESS ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. BASED ONLINE AND ON THIS NHTSA SITE: IT SEEMS THAT THESE ARE SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE!!!!! RECENT HEADLIGHT RECALL ON SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHY IS THIS VEHICLE NOT RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION/POWER TRAIN AND HEADLIGHT ISSUES!?!? *TR

NHTSA ID
10662562
Incident
Apr 14, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 21, 2014

DASHBOARD INFORMATION CENTER WARNINGS OF STABILITRACK AND SERVICE BRAKES WITH AUDIBLE CHIMES DURING DRIVING. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO BRAKE BOOSTER. NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE LEAK EVER. SEEMS TO BE ONGOING FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL OF ALL OF GM PRODUCT LINES AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660071
Incident
Nov 20, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 25, 2014
Fire reported

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH ON HWY. CAR SHUT OFF AND BACK ON, IT WAS ALSO RAINING. SMELT REALLY BAD LIKE A FIRE. WENT STRAIGHT HOME, TOOK CAR TO SHOP THE NEXT DAY. THE WATER LEAK I THOUGHT HAD BEEN FIXED WAS LEAKING INTO THE ELECTRICAL BOARD CAUSED A BURN OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639028
Incident
Aug 20, 2013
Mileage
79,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .