FaultScore

2008 Saturn Outlook transmission problems

128 of the 926 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Outlook are about the transmission — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 79,898 miles.

B

128

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Train 120 93.8%
Automatic Transmission 7 5.5%
Clutch Assembly 1 0.8%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Saturn Outlook year

2007 128 46.5%
2008 128 46.5%
2009 19 6.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Monroeville, PA

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 when forward drive failed.

NHTSA complaint #11622653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lebanon, OH

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.

NHTSA complaint #11548011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Zachary, LA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR CHEVROLET LOCATED AT (9352 PLANK RD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70811) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

NHTSA complaint #11317850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,430 miles Beaocn, NY

POWER TRAIN

DEAR NHTSA, PLEASE FIRST REFER TO THIS KNOWN ISSUE: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10126145 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: GCUS-9-2635 14404B ' SPECIAL COVERAGE.BULLETIN. THIS WAS AN OFFER FROM GM TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN DEFECT IF IT OCCURED EITHER BEFORE 120K MILES OR 10 YEARS. MY WIFE'S 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK IS USED FOR KID TRANSPORTATION AND LOCAL TRIPS MOSTLY SO SHE NEVER PUTS ON THAT MUCH MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE WENT INTO SERVICE IN OR AROUND 10/2008. ON OR AROUND MARCH 1, 2019 HER OUTLOOK BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ISSUES CONSISTENT WITH THIS GM TSB, FAILURE OF THE 35R WAVE PLATE, A KNOW ISSUE DOCUMENTED BY GM.THE THING WOULD JERK AND SHAKE IN REVERSE, WOULD EITHER FAIL TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 5TH OR IF IT DID, WHINE AND SHOW NO ACCELERATION IN THE LEAST. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES, ON LOCAL ROADS AND ON THE HIGHWAY, VERY DANGEROUS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT, ONLY 67K MILES AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER ABOUT HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED RATHER THAN REPLACED. HE REALLY RECOMMENDED A FACTORY REBUILT UNIT. WE WERE LITERALLY 120 DAYS, 4 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD ON THIS ISSUE. SATURN/GM WOULD NOT BUDGE AND TOLD ME THAT AT SOME POINT I HAD TO OWN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REPAIR! REALLY? ON A KNOW ISSUE THAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE TSB AS, "UPON FAILURE ONLY" SHOULD I BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. HOW IS THIS FAIR? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I EXPECT FROM THE NHTSA, BUT TO SIMPLY KNOW THAT GM SHOULD HAVE HONORED THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, IT WAS ONLY FOUR MONTHS PAST THE CUT OFF AND IT IS A KNOW ISSUE. THANKS FOR LISTENING, I DO PLAN TO FILE A SMALL CLAIMS CASE AND CONTACT ANY AND ALL CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES ABOUT THIS MATTER. (XXXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11229465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 203,700 miles South Solon, OH

POWER TRAIN

I WAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, AND THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND SLOWED DOWN WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH RPMS AND WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE BEING HIT BY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. A CODE WAS PUT OUT OF IT FOR THE SHIFT SOLENOID FOR GEARS 1-2 BEING 'STUCK ON'. AFTER HAVING THE FLUID CHANGED AS STATED FOR A POSSIBLE CAUSE, EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. TODAY, ON 11/19/2018, I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE A SAFE EXIT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, AND AUTO MECHANICS, THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING A LOT WITH THESE SPECIFIC VEHICLES, AS WELL AS SIMILAR MODELS FROM OTHER MAKES AND THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN.

NHTSA complaint #11152592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles East Palo Alto, CA

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK JUST LOST POWER. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. AS I WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE POWER CAME BACK BUT THE ENGINE WAS REVING VERY HIGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I MANAGED TO GET ALMOST HOME WHEN THE GEAR GOT STUCK IN 1ST AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCELERATE HIGHER THAN 20 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS JUST ABOUT HOME. ONCE I ARRIVED AT MY HOME I TURNED OF THE TRUCK AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BUT WAS GUESSING IT MAY BE A SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. ERROR CODES: P0741 & P0700. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR JERKING AROUND 30-35MPH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11142145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,800 miles Anderson, IN

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 3RD GEAR WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN MOTION AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE PUBLIC ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY THE RESULT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR CENTER AS IT WOULD NOT MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. REPAIR CENTER CONFIRMED THAT PARTIAL FORWARD GEARS WERE NOT OPERABLE AS WELL AS REVERSE GEAR. ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE PLATFORM WITH 6 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS OF A FRACTURED WAVE PLATE. REPAIR CENTER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND VEHICLE CURRENTLY WORKING FINE FOR LAST 6000 MILES. AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 122,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS

NHTSA complaint #11139428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Ortonville, MN

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11138849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Fort Collins, CO

POWER TRAIN

AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I ALMOST HIT MY SON WHO HAD ALREADY EXITED THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CAR APPEARED TO BE IN PARK BUT WOULD ROLL BACK AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I COULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS THEY USUALLY DO. I ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO A FRACTURE OF THE LOCKING TABS. THERE HAS BEEN A SIMILAR RECALL FOR DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS SEE GM RECALL NO. 12106

NHTSA complaint #11115831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Lafayette, GA

POWER TRAIN

IN MY SATURN OUTLOOK. THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. IVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES WITH SATURN OUTLOOK. ALSO TALK TO SERVICE MANAGERS AT A COUPLE DIFFERENT GM DEALERSHIPS. TO WHICH THEY HAVE ALL SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS THOSE VEHICLES ARE VERY BAD DESIGNED AND ARE NOT BUILT TO LAST. THEY HAVE REPLACED A BUNCH OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS. PROBLEM : STARTING OUT ON TAKE OFF. THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE AND JERK THE CAR. POTENTIALLY PUTTING YOU AND OTHERS IN A BAD SITUATION IF THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES. AND ONCE YOU ARE GOING IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. TO ME ITS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT GM SHOUPD ADDRESS AND FIX.

NHTSA complaint #11114717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY IN THE CARPOOL LANE, GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THE ENGINES RPMS SOUNDING LOUDER THAN SUPPOSED TO BE. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY DASHBOARD AND THEY WERE AT 7000 RPM. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT LIKE IT WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. PREVIOUS TO THIS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NEVER COME ON. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DEPRESSED IT AGAIN AND ONLY THE RPMS WENT UP AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. AT THIS POINT, I REALIZED I HAD NO ACCELERATION PEDAL CONTROL, WHILE IN THE CARPOOL LANE, SO AS SO AS SAFELY POSSIBLE, I MERGED OVER TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE SHOULDER, THEN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND REALIZED THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO AS FAST AS 20MPHS BEFORE TAKING THE RPMS OVER 5000. I COMPLETELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AGAIN ON THE SHOULDER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE IT AGAIN. AND WAS MET WITH THE SAME RESPONSE. I REALIZED, AT THIS POINT, THE TRANSMISSION IS THE PROBLEM. I SHIFTED THROUGH EACH GEAR TO SEE IF I HAD THEM, PARK REVERSE NEUTRAL DRIVE, AND I HAD THEM. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST 2ND GEAR AND I COULD NOT COMFORTABLY DRIVE FASTER THAN 41MPH. I HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED 75 MILES BACK TO MY HOME.

NHTSA complaint #11099447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Lafayette, IN

POWER TRAIN

HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY TRANSMISSION IT WILL NOT SHIFT IT IS TANKING MY RPM'S PAST 6 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT I CAN'T FINE IT.

NHTSA complaint #11078841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 154,000 miles Sturgis, MI

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOOL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (810 W CHICAGO RD, STURGIS, MI) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER REGARDING THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

NHTSA complaint #11071607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Stafford, TX

POWER TRAIN

THERE WAS RECALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG THE DEALER SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT BUT THE CODE IS BACK ON #B0081 CALLED DEALER THEY SAID OH WELL THE RECALL WAS FIXED WELL IF IT WAS THE CODE SHOULD NOT BE BACK ON FOR THE SAME THING. ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSON TOOK IT SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG THEN FINALLY THE SOLINEDS WENT OUT REPLACED THEM 1 MONTH LATER THE WHOLE TRANSMISON WENT THIS WAS ON A GM RECALL AND I FEEL BECAUSE I HAD COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THAT GM SHOULD REIMBURSE ME THE $5000 WE HAD TO PAY TO GET A NEW TRANSMISON. THE TRANSMISON WENT OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN ON WONT GO OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11048762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murrieta, CA

POWER TRAIN

EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY CAR GET A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER INSIDE CAUSING A MUSTY SMELL AND POSSIBLE MOLD. I HAVE TO VACUUM WATER FROM THE BATTERY AREA, IN THE TRUNK LIFT IT UP AND VACUUM OUT AND LEAVE IT TO DRY OUT IN SUN WHEN AVAILABLE. IT CAUSES MY SEAT BELTS TO BECOME WET. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FLOOR IS WET AS WELL AS THE BACK SEAT AREA FLOOR. IT CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO CONTINUALLY FOG UP AND THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. WHEN I PRESS THE GAS THERE IS A HESITANT SOMETIMES AND I WAS TOLD BY A GM SERVICE TECH THAT IS THE BATTERY LOSING POWER CAUSING THAT ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD MORE THAN ONCE FROM THE GM SERVICE TECHS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AND THAT CORPORATE IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT HEALTH AS WELL. MY FAMILY RIDES AROUND IN THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10954973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Mechanicsburg, PA

POWER TRAIN

WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35MPH, BROUGHT TO A SHOP AND IT HAD TRANSMISSION CODES, SHOP DRAINED FLUID WHICH WAS BLACK AND REPLACED WITH NEW FLUID. THINGS SEEMED FINE BUT THEN WAS USING CAR IN LOW GEARS AND LOST LOW GEARS. STARTED BEFORE CHRISTMAS, CAR SPENT TWO WEEKS AT SHOP TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. LOST LOW GEARS ON JANUARY 23.

NHTSA complaint #10947536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Fenton, MI

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10937079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,000 miles Lyman, SC

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #10927848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Peoria, IL

POWER TRAIN

3-5-R WAVEPLATE IN TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN DEFECTIVE. TRANSMISSION FIRST WENT OUT AT ~4 YEARS OLD AND 50,000 MILES LEAVING US STRANDED. ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER TCM (VALVE BODY) IN TRANSMISSION FAILED (LIKELY DEBRIS FROM WAVEPLATE FAILURE). FORCING YOU TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR AND OFF HOPE IT WOULD BEGIN SHIFTING AGAIN. FORTUNATELY, MADE IT TO DEALER UNDER ITS OWN POWER FOR THAT ONE. GM DID NOT COVER THIS, $1000 OUT OF MY POCKET. 8 YEARS OLD AND 99,000 MILES WAVEPLATE OUT AGAIN STRANDING US ON HIGHWAY... AGAIN. 2 WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN, THIS TIME SHAFT THAT HOLDS GEARS WAS SCARRED UP (LIKELY DEBRIS FROM WAVEPLATE FAILURES) STRANDED AGAIN AND $3200 TO FIX WITH SOME HELP FROM GM. 2008 TO 2013 ACADIA, OUTLOOKS, TRAVERSE, ENCLAVE ALL HAVING THIS ISSUE STRANDING PEOPLE ON ROADS.

NHTSA complaint #10927546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 176,680 miles Beaumont, TX

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #10915427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Racine, WI

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. 35R WAVE PLATE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE (CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE) IN OUTLOOK, ACADIA, ENCLAVE, VUE, ETC. THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10846222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,770 miles Canton, MI

POWER TRAIN

SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER AND FAILURE TO UPSHIFT WHILE ACCELERATING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAD TO PULL INTO CENTER LANE TO AVOID INTERFERING WITH TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING COLLISION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC PREPARING TO TURN. WAS NOTIFIED BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AWAITING ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 42K MILES SECOND FAILURE AT 86K MILES. OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS TYPE PROBLEM BUT FOR SOME REASON, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED

NHTSA complaint #10837651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,653 miles Port Charlotte, FL

POWER TRAIN

OCTOBER 16, 2014 TRANSMISSION 6T75 AWD FAILED. INTO SHOP 10/17/14. COST $4281.45 FOR TRANSMISSION PLUS $366.53 FOR CAR RENTAL. [HAVE BILLS] TRANSMISSION WENT INTO "LIMP" MODE DUE TO LOSS OF ALL GEARS EXCEPT 6TH GEAR. MARCH 2015 RECEIVED LETTER FROM GM STATING "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2008 MODEL YEAR SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CRACKED OR FRACTURED WAVE PLATE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF 3RD, 5TH AND REVERSE GEARS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 OR 6T75 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND FWD OR AWD." THE LETTER WENT ON TO SAY "IF YOU HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS FOR THE CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THIS LETTER, PLEASE COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED REIMBURSEMENT FORM AND PRESENT IT TO YOUR DEALER WITH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. IF THIS IS NOT CONVENIENT, YOU MAY MAIL THE COMPLETED REIMBURSEMENT FORM AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO REIMBURSEMENT DEPARTMENT, PO BOX 33170, DETROIT, MI 48232. I SUBMITTED TWO FORMS ON APRIL 11, 2015, ONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION [$4281.45 & ONE FOR THE RENTAL CAR WHILE SATURN BEING REPAIRED [$366.53]. MAY 22, 2015 BOTH CLAIMS WERE REJECTED BY GM. REASON GIVEN: "THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE TIME AND MILEAGE PARAMETERS OF THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ACTION PROGRAM. TO ME THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AND/OR HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY LOOSING YOUR TRANSMISSION [MOMENTUM/VEHICLE SPEED] CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMATELY. THERE SHOULD NOT BE "TIME AND MILEAGE PARAMETER" THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECTIVELY IMPOSED BY GM IN ORDER TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR POOR ENGINEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10820701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,024 miles Brighton, MI

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HIGH ENGINE REV DURING COMMUTE FROM WORK TO HOME.COULD NOT GET OVER 40 MPH AND HAD TO TAKE SIDE STREETS HOME. WAS FEARFUL THAT IT WOULD NOT MAKE IT !

NHTSA complaint #10787505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,376 miles Pasadena, MD

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #10746053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Muncie, IN

POWER TRAIN

WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM GM, AS WE PULLED OFF THE LOT AND MADE IT LESS THEN A HALF MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGHT SO WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. THEY ADVISED US IT WAS A POWER TRAIN ISSUE. WE CALLED GM AND THE REQUESTED US TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SO THEY'RE MECHANICS COULD LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. CONFIRMED THAT WE HAVE A TIMING CHAIN AND A POWER TRAIN THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. ULTIMATELY THEY REFUSED TO FOOT THE BILL AND SAID THEY WOULD ONLY GO IN HALF. NOW WE ARE HAVING TO PAY 1700.00 TO FIX A VEHICLE BEFORE WE EVEN MAKE OUR FIRST CAR PAYMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10745618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Buna, TX

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT GEARS AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE 35R WAVE PLATE FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10716248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Akron, OH

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY WENT OUT DUE TO WAVEPLATE.

NHTSA complaint #10715623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Sapulpa, OK

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING CAR, I NOTICED A VIBRATION AT 30 TO 40 MPH. A TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I WAS INFORMED THERE IS A RECALL REPAIR FOR THIS TRANSMISSION, BUT NO RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MOTORS.

NHTSA complaint #10705690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,533 miles Fenton, MI

POWER TRAIN

JAN 2014 HAD PROBLEMS WITH STABILITRAC / TRACTION CONTROL AND TRANSMISSION ENTERING EXPRESSWAY. THE STABILITRAC / TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR BEGAN SHIFTING HARD AS WE BEGAN TO ENTER TRAFFIC, THE CAR THEN STARTED TO LOSE POWER WE GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY IN FEAR OF BEING HIT AND WENT TO THE DEALER WERE THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THIS ON AND OFF FOR SOME TIME FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. IN JUNE 2014 COMING HOME FROM A SOCCER GAME I MY WIFE OUR SON AND ANOTHER PLAYER HAD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH ON THE US23 EXPRESSWAY, STABILITRAC / TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION LOST THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW ALMOST GETTING HIT. (THANK GOD WE MADE IT TO A SAFE PLACE) WE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF BROKEN WAVE PLATES WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. ON 3/7/15 TOOK CAR IN AGAIN FOR STABILTRAC / TRACTION CONTROL SAME THING AGAIN IS HAPPENING DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG TOLD US TO BRING BACK WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON. 3/14/15 LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN TOOK IN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SERVICE ADVISER THERE WAS NO DANGER DRIVING THE CAR BUT THAT I MIGHT AFTER TIME BEGIN TO LOSS POWER AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL OVER 20MPH. I EXPLAINED THE HISTORY TO HIM HIS ADVICE WAS TO AVOID THE EXPRESSWAYS. MY FEAR IS TO DIE IN THIS CAR WHEN MERGING INTO EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC. AFTER REVIEWING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION CONTROL / STABILITRAC ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE FOLLOWING CARS SATURN OUTLOOK, GMC ACADIA, CHEVY TRAVERSE AND BUICK ENCLAVE I HOPE THAT GM CAN COME UP WITH A FIX BEFORE ANYONE HAS TO DIE!

NHTSA complaint #10700651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 Saturn Outlook problems

← Full 2008 Saturn Outlook report