NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Saturn Outlook (Page 1 of 8)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,782 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Saturn Outlook electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Saturn Outlook:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Saturn Outlook Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #158

Apr 262022

Outlook

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

airbag sensor on passenger seat stays off even when passenger is in seat. I have read many complaints from same vehicle since they were new. Also has electrical issues intermittently possibly from water leaking thru sunroof

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #157

Sep 012018

Outlook

  • miles
Unknown

- Santee, SC, USA

problem #156

Jun 262021

Outlook

  • miles
My low beam headlight started to intermittently go out for a while. Then it went out completely. I go to replace the bulb only to find that the bulb wasn-??t the actual issue. The harness, wires, and socket to the bulb were blackened, burnt and melted. So now it all needs to be replaced. I-??ve seen on several forums that has happened to so many people that have a car manufactured by GM. The original wiring is not quality enough for the heat and current that goes through there.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #155

Jul 142021

Outlook

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Multiple time my vehicle became wet in the inside due to a sun roof drainage tube issue. My vehicle stopped while in motion and there was a burning smell. Now none of my windows will go up and the car no longer starts. I have a loud knocking sound coming from the dash when I turn the heater or AC on. Now my dash shows service theft deterrent system. The first time I thought maybe the tube was clogged. I now come to find out that is was/is a on going issue with GM. I could've lost my life or been possibly rear-ended at highway speed due to GM not knowing how to make a sunroof.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #154

May 182021

Outlook

  • miles
While driving. Lost power, steering locked up. Discontented and reconnected the battery. Problem cleared.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #153

Mar 252020

Outlook

  • 181,000 miles
The sunroof leaks water from the dash the rear causing the ceiling to be soaked and malfunctioning of sunroof water leaked on floor of the whole car cans side rear views causes the dash electrical system to go out motor blowers is filling up with water so ac/ heater can not defrost car so visibility to drive car it is unsafe and can cause an accident and very expensive to constantly replace a blower that will constant fill up with water to to sunroof drainage constantly clotting and won't drain and floors flooding eventually this will cause corrosion or fire being water and electricity don't mix well I have 3 children I don't feel we are safe in our vehicle this is our only form of transportation the speakers go in and out due to the water leaked and soon come winter car will not be able to leaky drive being motor blowers will not be able to constantly be purchased due to going out because water back up and leaked and the car becomes drenched in water via seats and floor drive seat is electrical eventually water will cause a problem I just want my kids safe and secure in a vehicle and as I read previous problem some have experienced the same issues I'm going through as of right now. The car can be stationary or in motion water just leaks from ceiling on floor floor is wet as I drive I can hear water on ceiling moving around some water even run accross windshield while I'm driving a lot. Some runs on my leg while I'm driving where the brake pads and gas pedal are which have wires there that are electrical on top of the floors being soaked that's a fire hazard

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #152

Jul 102020

Outlook

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When it rains water is leaking into the vehicle & throughout the 2 years I've owned it the rain has leaked in multiple locations despite having it fixed & causes the wiring, lighting & detrimental/safety sensors & electrical parts to be damaged. I became especially worried when I learned a friend with a 2008 GMC acadia (identical vehicle to Saturn Outlook) is having the exact same water issues. Within a month or 2 of having the leaking and damaged fixed new sensors get wet & issues arise due to leaking in new/different locations. I first noticed it leaking in the front by the windows & sunroof & causing the radio speakers to quit. Within a short while after fixing it the headlights, tail lights & air conditioning then started cutting out & not working. Once again I had the issue fixed but now it is leaking in the dash where water can be heard sloshing around when turning & occasionally leaks into the front floor board. Now the 'stabilitrak' & traction control are all having issues as well as transmission sensors making my car undrivable and unable to shift from second gear until the car sits in the sun or dries out for a few days. The speakers are also not working making the back up cam, and even the warning dash lights have no sound. ** as mentioned before there are many online forums that talk about this leaking issue in both the Saturn Outlook & GMC acadia's. it is very worrisome that things will seem to work & suddenly stop working due to water log damage & when driving at night & headlights/tail lights flicker or quit it is very scary & dangerous. The serious issues with sensors (transmission sensors & stability) just began on my car recently & since I've had this issue fixed so many times it needs to be investigated further before someone gets hurt.

- Nixa, MO, USA

problem #151

Jun 232020

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 159,000 miles
Engine power reduced- this has happened on several occasions, where the engine just stopped running while driving, in town. Main wiring harness was repaired the first time because insulation was deteriorated and wiring was stuck together. Less than two weeks later, engine stops again while driving in town, was able to coast to the side of road, car restarted, trying to get home, car died again, would not restart, towed to auto shop again. Auto repair is unable to diagnose the problem, it will run great and just randomly stop running while driving, car has been in the shop for almost 2 weeks now. Nothing is coding when they run diagnostics. They have checked everything possible! I am having them keep the car until problem is resolved because I am scared to drive it and end up in a wreck. I have been fortunate that I was in town when this has happened, that I was in town and my grandkids were not in the car with me! this is a very serious safety risk!!! thank goodness I didn't go on a planned 12 hour trip to Colorado! note: I have already put $6500 in repairs within the last year because of random issues with the vehicle.

- Cleburne, TX, USA

problem #150

May 132020

Outlook 6-cyl

  • miles
Water started dripping down into the glovebox, every time it rains it gets soaking wet and there's some problems with the electrical panel.

- Beloit, WI, USA

problem #149

Feb 062020

Outlook

  • miles
My 2008 Saturn Outlook xr leaks from the roof/sunroof and when it rains hard it has both the driver and passenger side gets soaked and down both sides of the top of the door frame headliner is soaked and also my floor board from both passenger and driver side are always wet

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #148

Feb 272020

Outlook

  • 136,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Left driver door manual switch continuously malfunctions, absolutely does not give power to open any windows, lock or unlock doors, and enables your safety in dangerous exits. Locks have been locking when I exit my vehicle, locking my children locked inside of vehicle. Rear lift gate will fall on your head slowly and injured my forehead.

- Shaker Heights, OH, USA

problem #147

Jan 102020

Outlook

  • miles
Drivers side low beam headlight wiring harness and plug have melted and I have had replaced and it happens again. The air bag warning light keeps coming on, saying service airbags now. All the speakers in the car have quit working, but if you open and close drivers side rear door they will work until you hit a bump in the road.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #146

Oct 132016

Outlook

  • 148,564 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the sun roof leaked each time it rained. The water traveled across the top of the vehicle, onto the windshield, and into the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to stuteville Chevrolet Buick GMC of ponca city (3330 N 14th St, ponca city, ok 74601, (580) 749-5976) where the body control was replaced; however, the failure continued. The contact stated that the vehicle needed a new battery due to the water that was leaking onto the battery. The battery was replaced. The contact also stated that the ppm chip for the air bag was missing, which caused the air bag warning indicator to illuminate. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V118000 (air bags). The contact also stated that the vehicle would lurch forward when in park or drive. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 148,564.

- Ponca City, OK, USA

problem #145

Oct 012019

Outlook

  • 30 miles
Water leak from sunroof

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #144

Jul 012019

Outlook

  • 84,000 miles
When I first got the vehicle in 2017 it was always parked in the garage so the problem wasn't noticed until I stopped using the garage. When it rains a lot water is leaking through the front sunroof which is then draining underneath the hood of the car in the electrical area and finally leaking through the front passenger side floor boards. It caused electrical issues with the Outlook because of the initial sunroof 'clog'. also the car could be driven but when you turned off the vehicle it would not shut down. I've seen many issues of the same problem that other owners are having as well with their Outlooks. If the numbers are there from people complaining I'm not understanding why this hasn't been investigated and turned into a recall. What starts as a sunroof leak can easily and quickly lead to thousands of dollars worth of repairs because the water is leaking under the hood area.

- Lockport, IL, USA

problem #143

Feb 022019

Outlook

  • 190,000 miles
Takata recall....water leaks into the car behind kicker panel on passenger side going directly into the fuse/relay box. It leaks in all door jams and the rear liftgate area. I have problems with my car not shifting. Throwing code P2723 which is transmisson pressure control shift solenoid E. I believe its due to water getting into the fuse box because there is a constant drain on my battery and when testing the fuses with a test light not all of them seem to be getting a good connection due to all the corrosion. Also sunroof leaks. All door circuits get wet. I have to dry evrything out before I can start it. The carpet smells and its full of rust. Common sense would tell you that this cannot be good from any aspect. Im to the point to going up to GM and making them look really bad because this is unacceptable. I cannot believe with so many common problems there is yet to be a recall. I hate GM and never will I ever purchase any GM product nor will I have anything good to say about GM. When all this occured my car was outside either in my driveway or a parking lot or driving down the road. I havr to cover the car up. The entire car. I bought the car sometime last year. I noticed this was happening about 4-5 months after purchase. Ive tried fixing it myself and I just fail everytime and its ridiculous.

- Highlands, TX, USA

problem #142

Mar 112019

Outlook

  • 134,000 miles
Baugbt the vehicle March 10 2019 no air bag cracked steering wheel sunroof leaks bad under glovebox fuse section has rust powder. Stero goes on and off only one key works to start one works to open door heater dont work im front. Baught in pueblo Colorado only drive as far as walsenburg co and back to pueblo N9 further bad gas millage

- Pueblo, CO, USA

problem #141

Mar 012019

Outlook

  • miles
My sunroof was leaking in my car and caused an electrical problem the auto shop said it would cost 7000 to fix

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #140

Feb 142019

Outlook

  • 80,000 miles
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. I had to pull to emergency lane and have vehicle towed twice. Dealer states its an issue with obd/obi codes and clears code. Vehicle continues to do this almost daily, weekly. Water leaks through sunroof, front window glass, under dash on feet of driver and passenger; water leaks via dvd system while driving and stationary. Alternator caught on fire while driving and I coasted into a driveway and lifted hood the flames started, fire dept. Contacted immediately to put out. Damage to vehicle wires, tubes, etc under hood. Passenger side front window and mirror will not push out of roll down due to electrical issue driving and stationary. Recall on struts for auto lift gate, but real issue is module to lift liftgate was a fee to be repaired. What did recall cover with lift gate? these issues happen no stop since 2012 when vehicle was purchased used. I drove on interstate and and check engine light came on, transmission went to low gear and I almost was hit because vehicle jerked when this happened and power/speed instantly dropped.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #139

Jun 122018

Outlook

  • 87,000 miles
Upon raining very hard water leaks into the cabin of the SUV via behind the emergency break, airbag ports and from under the glove box onto the floorboards. My vehicle stays on when the key is out of the ignition. There needs to be a recall on this asap. The water leaks in while driving in the rain as well as if the vehicle is sitting outside while its raining.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?