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Engine & cooling

Saturn Outlook Engine problems by year

105 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Outlook's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20101000
200921000
200852000
200731000

Latest Outlook engine complaints

2009 Saturn OutlookEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the timing belt had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not...

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covered under GM Campaign Number: 10287C since the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11618548
2009 Saturn OutlookEngine & cooling

I was driving and my car started to lurch and went into reduced power mode. I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. It was towed into the shop, and we found that the timing chain had broken. We had just had our engine mounts replaced and the oil changed. The vehicle has been well maintained. I have seen the issue with the timing chain failure is a common problem in Saturns/GM from internet research. It looks like there was a service bulletin to bring the car in if Service light comes on and you "think"...

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it's due to premature wear of timing chain. Now we are told the engine needs to be replaced because it was damaged by the timing chain failure and it seems like a known defect that should be covered because it exceeded the value of the car to have such a fix.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11561602
2009 Saturn OutlookSteeringEngine & cooling

I bought this 2009 Saturn Outlook yesterday from a used dealership they said there was nothing wrong with the car well I live over 100 miles away from where I bough it and about halfway home it's it was dark outside I was driving on the highway going up a hill the motor was acting like it wanted to jump out f the car (I'm not sure exactly how to describe it) anyways it only did ur for just a second then stopped all went back to normal and today just died while driving and now it wont start wont even turn over

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11476684
2009 Saturn OutlookEngine & cooling

The timing chain is getting stretched is what the codes say and needs to be repaired feels like it's loosing power

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11386008
2008 Saturn OutlookElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11337172
2008 Saturn OutlookSteeringAirbagsEngine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Steering · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11209626
2007 Saturn OutlookTransmission & drivetrainDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Receiving message on dash display: engine power reduced, service stabilitrak, service traction control. Notice a sever drop in engine power and will practically not move if put in gear. Typically noticed when starting vehicle and pulling away. Can turn vehicle off for several minutes and issue is not experienced. (Until the next time) there is no typical combination of events that happen before issue occurs, random. Have checked forums online and seems to be a common problem with this and other similar vehicles from gm (outlook, acadia, enclave, traverse)

Filed Incident Power train · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11186295
2007 Saturn OutlookElectrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

When starting the stabilitrak light comes on and the buzzer goes off, then the check engine lights flickers off and on. This causes a rough idle like a misfire .I have had plugs and coil packs replaced as well as shocks and struts. Error still remains. Mechanic says one issue triggers the other. Have seen 100's of other similar complaints on full size gm trucks and other suvs. Hopefully soon a recall issue

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11185822
2007 Saturn OutlookAirbagsDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn outlook. The contact stated that the air bag and check engine warning indicators remained illuminated. Also, the stability control indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle's on star system performed a diagnostic on the air bags and concluded that the air bags needed to be serviced. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 93,000.

Filed Incident Air bags · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11184820
2007 Saturn OutlookEngine & cooling

The car was towed to the foulk road automotive center on february art 15th to get a transmission rebuild. Upon completion and road test the car was driven and the engine seized up during the test run after correct programming.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11183505
2008 Saturn OutlookElectrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & coolingFire

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11180048
2009 Saturn OutlookElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

In 2016, I purchased a 2009 saturn outlook from a dealer, with 90,000 miles on it. Two months later, "transmission overheating, let engine idle" indicator came on, and the saturn shut itself down as I drove down i-35! Mechanic said they couldn't find anything wrong. They reset my codes, and all seemed okay. This happened a few more times, but know one could tell me what was wrong other that bank 1 low. For the most part it drove without problems. Regular service maintenance, and oil changes consistent with the...

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manual. I rarely drove it after the second year of owning it. On way home to oregon (purchased outlook in iowa), I continuously lost power going up the passes. Semi trucks were passing me, as if I were sitting still. With new air-filter system, maf sensor, coils, boots, and spark plugs installed I continued at a snail pace all the way to oregon. A two day trip took me seven days. Nobody could tell me what was wrong other than the bank 1 low, o2 sensor, which I replaced those as well. I get home and seven months later, I almost get hit by a school bus, because my saturn stalled in the middle of the intersection. Three light changes later, I make it across the street to the college. It shuddered all the way, till I parked it, where I had to wait to be towed three blocks to home. I paid over $15,000 for a vehicle that lasted me under 50,000 miles. It is paid in full, and is now dead. Still no clue as why. Codes show bank 1 and 2 low ? But why will it not start? Why did my battery die? I could not have taken better care of my baby, if I tried! Please, help me fix her. There is no reason for this vehicle to be out of commission, yet it is at 134,000 miles. Gm, please fix this. This was faulty at 90,500 miles. I have always taken great care of every car I have ever owned. It got worse after I took it to a chevy dealer in missouri! Catalytic bank 1 and 2.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11176129

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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