Exterior Lighting. Review the 247 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports19 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

633 reports

58,800 miles · Jun 12, 2013

Power Train

SATURN 2008 OUTLOOK STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. FEELS LIKE GOING INTO 3RD GEAR IS THE PROBLEM AND SOMETIMES IN REVERSE. SOUNDS LIKE A REV OF THE ENGINE AND THEN A HARD SHIFT INTO THE GEAR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY POSTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS AND UNFORTUNATELY GM IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH HOW THEY RESOLVE. THIS SOUNDS LIKE…

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NHTSA ODI #10519510

95,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013

Power Train

WE WERE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT FULL RPM'S. WE SLOWED AND PULLED OVER ACROSS TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ENGAGE FOR A SECOND BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE MORE THAN A FEW FEET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519443

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2013

Visibility

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PURCHASED PRE-OWED 2008 OUTLOOK IN NOV OF 2009. FIRST SUNROOF/MOONROOF LEAKS NOTICED IN SPRING OF 2010. DRAINS WERE "FIXED", BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE MOLDY MUSTY SMELL TO VEHICLE AFTER HEAVY RAINS AND DRIVER SEAT FEELS WET. OTHER PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ENGINE CONTINUING TO RUN WITH KEY OUT, AIR BAG LIGHT ON, POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE, REAR SPEAKERS ARE WATER DAMAGED, REAR AC HAS ALWAYS MALFUNCTIONED, MAIN AC IS NOW MALFUNCTIONING. NOT TO MENTION ALLERGIES SUFFERED FROM MOLD EXPOSURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516170

67,250 miles · Jun 10, 2013

StructureVisibility

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I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH. ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH, WATER STARTED POURING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE A PILLAR BECAUSE OF A LEAKING SUNROOF/MOONROOF. I UNDERSTAND FROM RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A REPEATED ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES, YET GM WILL NOT FIX THEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I PAID $20K FOR THIS VEHICLE TWO MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE MADE ONE PAYMENT OF 72, AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE CAN NEVER GET WET OR THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516062

46,242 miles · Jun 9, 2013

Air Bags

SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515895

98,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013

Power Train

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MY 2008 OUTLOOK STARTED TO JERK DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THEN HAD VERY HIGH RPMS BUT NO ACCELERATION IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION I COULD NOT MOVE AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND IT HAD A BROKEN WAVE PLATE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO STILL BE COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BY ONLY 2 WEEKS. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THESE AS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL YET IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514941

108,000 miles · Jun 1, 2013

Power Train

WHILE ACCELERATING VEHICLE ABRUPTLY REDUCED SPEED AND DID NOT MOVE THIS CAUSED VEHICLES FOLLOWING MY CAR TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO NEARLY MISS REAR ENDING MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514589

37,612 miles · May 21, 2013

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,612 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,911. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513019

65,000 miles · May 2, 2013

Air BagsSeats

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I PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK USED AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR HAD DIFFICULTIES RIGHT OFF THE BAT. THE GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT IT AND AFTER GLANCING BRIEFLY AT THE COMPUTER MONITOR, IT LOOKED LIKE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR, TOO. THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING WITH WHERE MY SON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT (17 YEAR OLD BOY). THE SENSOR WOULD GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SOME TIME, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SENSOR FOR ABOUT $1,200. I WAS UNABLE TO DO THAT (ALSO THINKING THAT IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN). SO, WE ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH WHAT APPEARS IS NO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THE AIRBAG ISSUE AND NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS. I THINK THAT THIS WARRANTS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510450

21,036 miles · Apr 21, 2013

Steering

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ORIGINAL OWNER, UNDER WARRANTY AT 21,036 MILES, HAD THEIR DEALERSHIP (MARK CHRISTOPHER AUTO CENTER, ONTARIO, CA 91764) DIAGNOSE AND CONFIRM/REPLACE INTERNAL RIVETS LOOSE, NECESSARY TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY, 03/18/2010. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER, AND OUR DEALERSHIP, POLAR CHEV OF WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110, ALSO RECOMMENDS AGAIN REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AT AN EXPENSE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,600, @ 62,000 MILES. WE FEEL GM KNEW OF THIS DEFECT BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE (IE. SOCIALMEDIA@GM.COM AND CAC@SATURN.COM JUST TO NAME A FEW). WE FEEL WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND GM HAS PUT US ALONG WITH OTHERS, IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508992

Official recalls

15V415000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Jun 30, 2015

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 & remedy

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.

14V118000 · Air Bags:side/window

Mar 17, 2014

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 & remedy

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.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

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 & remedy

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.

08V441000 · Electrical System

Aug 28, 2008

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 & remedy

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> .

08V410000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Aug 14, 2008

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 & remedy

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> .

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP12003 · Loss Of Headlamp Illumination

Opened Jun 4, 2012 · Closed Jul 24, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

As of July 16, 2014, out of a population of 248,453 subject vehicles, NHTSA received 473 consumer complaints of inoperative head lamp. Many of these complaints indicated that the head lamp harness suffered damage from overheating. After reviewing the complaints, ODI found: -69% (328) alleged that a single head lamp was inoperative. -18% (86) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but not at the same time. -9% (41) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but the complaints did not indicate whether the failures had occurred at the same time. -4% (17) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative at the same time. -One additional complaint cited wire harness damage to both sides but did not specify an outage -No crashes or loss of vehicle control were reported. -Any alleged thermal damages were limited to melting of the head lamp harness and the head lamp housing. -A head lamp would intermittently fail to come on or flickers before becoming completely inoperative. For the seventeen complaints that alleged simultaneous failure of both head lamps while attempting to turn them on or while driving, the head lamp failures likely had occurred one at a time. The subject vehicle's head lamps are connected in a parallel circuit and each circuit is fused. Therefore, failure of one head lamp or its harness should not affect the other head lamp operation. Over the last 25 years, ODI has opened numerous defect investigations of the loss of headlamp illumination.Investigations that resulted in safety recalls involved simultaneous loss of illumination from both headlamps. NHTSA does not consider the loss of a single headlamp as presenting an unreasonable safety risk-such failures are readily detectable by the driver while allowing the vehicle to retain forward visibility and conspicuity from the remaining headlamp.There is typically enough time between the failure of the first headlamp and the second during which the vehicle operator can obtain the needed repairs. Based on the information currently available, NHTSA does not believe that the headlamp condition as alleged by the petitioner indicates the likelihood of a safety-related defect that would warrant a formal investigation.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.Further specifics can be found in the Federal Register Notice ODI complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

EA08010 · NON-CRASH Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2008 · Closed Sep 8, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (9)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring