2008 Saturn Outlook problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (222) · Power Train (99) · Air Bags (56)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Saturn Outlook model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
538 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate 2015-06-30 · campaign 15V415000 · 691,144 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power li
Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Air Bags:side/Window 2014-03-17 · campaign 14V118000 · 1,176,407 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repai
Electrical System 2010-06-04 · campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles
Defect: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE P
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT
Service bulletins (1,059)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-09 · 13598 · Other
new vehicle monitoring programs section in ivh
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-07 · PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes b3055, b3060, b3935, c0750, c0755, c0760, c0765, and/o
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,059 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-30 · Power Train“transmission is failing. reverse is slipping. low torque trying back up inclines. known problem with 2008 acadia, enclave, traverse & outlook per transmission shop who test drove and scanned. no code via dashboard, but scan tools and professional diagnostics verify failure. techem has been replaced in february 2019, by gm service @ owners expense w…”
2023-11-14 · Air Bags“over this summer i went to start my truck and all the airbags pop out expect for the steering wheel air bag and dashboard air bag…”
2023-10-03 · Power Train“this has been a big problem for all saturn owners. the transmissions are always going out in them. this transmission is starting to slip. i’m surprised there is no recalls. very disappointed.…”
2022-04-26 · Electrical System“airbag sensor on passenger seat stays off even when passenger is in seat. i have read many complaints from same vehicle since they were new. also has electrical issues intermittently possibly from water leaking thru sunroof…”
2022-02-09 · Visibility/Wiper · 197,357 mi“the contact owns a 2008 saturn outlook. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wiper failed to operate as needed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with windshield wiper motor failure. the contact was informed that the windshield wiper motor cover assembly needed to be replac…”
2021-08-31 · Air Bags · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 saturn outlook. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the airbag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the mds was not communicating with the airbags. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was no…”
2021-08-26 · Tires · 155,692 mi“the contact owns a 2008 saturn outlook. the contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that all 4 tires had started cracking along the tread. upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 15t002000 (tires) however, the tires were not included. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the …”
2021-08-23 · Exterior Lighting“my low beam headlight started to intermittently go out for a while. then it went out completely. i go to replace the bulb only to find that the bulb wasn’t the actual issue. the harness, wires, and socket to the bulb were blackened, burnt and melted. so now it all needs to be replaced. i’ve seen on several forums that has happened to so many people…”
2021-07-21 · Steering · 138,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 saturn outlook. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the contact pulled over however, the steering functionality did not return. the contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure persisted…”
2021-07-15 · Electrical System“multiple time my vehicle became wet in the inside due to a sun roof drainage tube issue. my vehicle stopped while in motion and there was a burning smell. now none of my windows will go up and the car no longer starts. i have a loud knocking sound coming from the dash when i turn the heater or ac on. now my dash shows service theft deterrent system…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.