VehicleVerdict

2010 Saturn Outlook problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2010 Saturn Outlook — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

23

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Outlook years?

Outlook NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted926 complaints2007: 728 complaints2008: 926 complaints2009: 262 complaints2010: 23 complaints
Outlook NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlook years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Saturn Outlook problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering730%
Lighting626%
Electrical System522%
Speed Control29%
Other14%
Engine14%
Body & Structure14%

Does the 2010 Saturn Outlook have recalls?

4 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.

14V266000Seat BeltsMay 20, 2014 · 1,339,355 units

Defect

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

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.

10V375000Seat BeltsAugust 12, 2010 · 207,210 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN TRYING TO PARK IN A SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING IN MOTION INTO A STREET OFF A HIGHWAY WHILE BRAKING. POWER STEERING FLUID LEVELS WERE FULL BOTH TIMES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 20, 2019

“RECENTLY MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT REGULARLY. I HAVE ONE GO OUT EACH MONTH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CREATES A PERSISTENT SAFETY PROBLEM AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THE 2010 OUTLOOK REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF THE FRONT WHEELS AND WHEEL WELLS TO REPLACE THE BULB. I UNDERSTAND FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 1, 2012

“RECENTLY MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT REGULARLY. I HAVE ONE GO OUT EACH MONTH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CREATES A PERSISTENT SAFETY PROBLEM AND IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THE 2010 OUTLOOK REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF THE FRONT WHEELS AND WHEEL WELLS TO REPLACE THE BULB. I UNDERSTAND FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 1, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SATURN OUTLOOK. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. OCASSIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 23, 2017

“WHEN DRIVING SLOW FORWARD OR BACK, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT LOCKS UP THEN WILL COME LOOSE, LETTING YOU TURN THE WHEEL. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM BY THE CHEVY TRAVERSE OWNERS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. CASE NUMBER IS [XXX], FILED 3/12/13. SINCE I HAVE A SATURN, THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 13, 2014

2010 Saturn Outlook — common questions

Is the 2010 Saturn Outlook reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2010 Outlook problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (7 complaints), lighting (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 2010 Saturn Outlook have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Saturn Outlook. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 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.