VehicleVerdict

2008 Saturn Outlook problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 926 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Outlook year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 4 Outlook years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Lighting leads the complaint categories with 250 reports (27% of the total).

926

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

30

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Outlook years?

Outlook NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted926 complaints2007: 728 complaints2008: 926 complaints2009: 262 complaints2010: 23 complaints
Outlook NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlook years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Saturn Outlook problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting25027%
Electrical System18820%
Transmission12814%
Airbags9811%
Engine526%
Body & Structure465%
Steering455%
Visibility & Wipers364%
Other303%
Speed Control131%
Brakes121%
Fuel System81%
Seats71%
Seat Belts61%
Suspension30%
Tires & Wheels20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2008 Saturn Outlook have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V415000Body & StructureJune 30, 2015 · 691,144 units

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 liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

14V118000AirbagsMarch 17, 2014 · 1,176,407 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

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 POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

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 WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V410000Visibility & WipersAugust 14, 2008 · 88,809 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPERS RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE MOTOR SHAFT AND THE WIPERS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER CRANK ARM, DRIVER'S SIDE LINK, AND A CRANK ARM NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN O OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT HEAD LAMP WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED AND CAUSED THE BULB TO FAIL. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE OTHER HEAD LAMP WOULD SOON FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 8, 2011 · fire

UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT HEAD LAMP WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED AND CAUSED THE BULB TO FAIL. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE OTHER HEAD LAMP WOULD SOON FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 8, 2011 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WAS MELTED. AS A RESULT, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 18, 2011 · fire

MY OUTLOOK WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT DIDN'T. THERE WAS LOTS OF SMOKE, SMELL AND POWDER AS IF THEY HAD GONE OFF BUT NEVER DID. THIS WAS AFTER THE SUPPOSED AIRBAG RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED. I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE IN THE 3 SHORT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 16, 2014 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 20, 2013 · fire

2008 Saturn Outlook — common questions

Is the 2008 Saturn Outlook reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 926 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 4 Outlook years. It is one of the Outlook years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Outlook problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (250 complaints), electrical system (188 complaints), transmission (128 complaints).

Does the 2008 Saturn Outlook have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Saturn Outlook. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Saturn Outlook under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saturn Outlook years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlook years to avoid are 2008. The cleanest record among Outlook years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.