2008 Saturn Outlook
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 511 |
| 2008 | 633 |
| 2009 | 192 |
| 2010 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
37% of complaints: exterior lighting — 236 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE25% of complaints: electrical system — 158 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190214
THE TRUCK ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND A FIRE STARTED. I GOT EVERYONE OUT AND THE FIRE BLEW UP AND EVERYTHING BURNED DOWN TO THE BODY. WE HAD IT TOWED BY POLICE TO PREVENT A FURTHER FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171130
19% of complaints: power train — 120 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241030
This has been a big problem for all Saturn owners. The transmissions are always going out in them. This transmission is starting to slip. Iâm surprised there is no recalls. Very disappointed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231003
15% of complaints: air bags — 93 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140520
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND HYDRO-PLANED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140402
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140319
7% of complaints: steering — 45 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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, SI
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://WW
Campaign 08V441000 — check if this car was fixed
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, DELAWA
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
Campaign 08V410000 — check if this car was fixed
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 E
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 BEE
Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of Headlamp Illumination
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.
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.
Campaign 14V118000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 15V415000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Saturn Outlook — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (236 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (158 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (120 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V441000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V410000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V118000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V415000 (structure) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2008 Saturn Outlook reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Outlook have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.