NHTSA — Structure Problems

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,247 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Saturn Outlook Owner Comments

problem #17

May 132020

Outlook 6-cyl

  • miles

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

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 #16

Nov 012016

Outlook 4WD 6-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
The sun roof is defective causing water to enter into the frame of the car and causing electrical malfunction to the electrical / PCM as well has caused numerous notifications on instrument panel also causing instrument panel to not light up while driving at night with no functions, turning off headlights as well this is a known issue via Saturn forums and youtube videos as well as tsb number of 07-08-57-002F. I feel very unsafe driving and this is my only vehicle. While driving you can hear water moving around throughout the body of the car and there is also water in the doors have shorted out the speakers this is not normal wear and tear. My car also remains on when the key is in the off position.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 052015

Outlook

  • 40,500 miles
While traveling on the interstate on a rainy day with the windshield wipers on, water entered the vehicle from the windshield on both sides. Water was also dripping from the side air bag location.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #14

May 302014

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles

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

The problem starts with heavy rain leaking through the sun roof. According to the ed morse dealership representative, the sunroof is projected to pass some water (very few) that will drain through the drain tubes located at the front and rear columns (sides of the windshield). However, the tubes may get clogged an the water starts leaking inside the car through the columns were airbag are located. Nevertheless, these tubes are not long enough to drive the water until the bottom of the car so the water will leak into the inner fuse block, will damp the carpets on the passenger and driver sides and make much more damage than you can believe. As the insulator between the carpet and the floor is like a sponge, it will absorb the water and soaks all the connectors that run below the insulator (cables that run from the battery, to the seats motors and heater, etc, etc). Not to mention that it may damage the airbag triggers mechanisms located on the columns besides the windshield".based on the number of complains about this issue at the internet, why nobody has done anything yet? what if the front sides airbag does not deploy as expected due to this rain inside the car????" NHTSA should seriously inquire GM for that as it may put many lives at risk. And not only to Saturn Outlook owners. The same is happening to GMC acadias and Buick enclaves....there are many forums with such complain at the internet and in one of them a representative from GM ask us to contact her but I sent her 2 E-mails and so far I have no answer. Her E-mail is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #13

May 302014

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
I just left my 2008 Outlook xr at the dealer. According to them the problem are the tubes that drain the water from the sunroof. These tubes run inside the front and rear columns (on the sides the windshield in the front and the side columns on the back of the car). These tubes are not long enough to drive the water until the bottom of the car so the water will leak into the inner fuse block, will damp the carpets on the passenger and driver sides and make much more damage than you can believe. As the insulator between the carpet and the floor is like a sponge, it will absorb the water and soaks all the connectors that run below the insulator (cables that run from the battery, to the seats motors and heater, etc, etc). Not to mention that it may damage the airbag triggers mechanisms located on the columns besides the windshield".based on the number of complains about this issue at the internet, why nobody has done anything yet? what if the front sides airbag does not deploy as expected due to this rain inside the car????" NHTSA should seriously inquire GM for that as it may put many lives at risk. And not only to Saturn Outlook owners. The same is happening to GMC acadias and Buick enclaves....

- Valrico, FL, USA

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problem #12

May 052014

Outlook

  • 60,000 miles
After the vehicle sat in rain (sun roof closed of course), water was noticed running down the a pillar and out the sunvisor brackets and pooling on the floor. Upon inspection, it was noticed that water is building up in the sunroof bracket/frame and overflowing into the vehicle. It's likely the sunroof drain channels are clogged.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #11

May 252011

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 38,550 miles

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

Water has been leaking in my 2008 Saturn Outlook for over 2 years. It originally started leaking in through my lights and more recently has started to leak in through the air bag covers which caused the "service air bag" light to come on. I am fearful about the airbags working properly with possible water damage. I have spent the last hour online reading hundreds of complaints from other Saturn Outlook owners who have had no resolution in having this problem fixed. GM needs to do the right thing and have the vehicles recalled and fixed.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 022013

Outlook

  • 50,000 miles
Water leak from sunroof traveled down the driver's pillar and through the dash, onto the floor. This caused an electrical shortage which caused the emergency brake warning bell to sound. Water was also leaking out of the curtain airbag badge on the pillar potentially compromising the airbag. Water soaked the driver's carpet and mats. Now the dashboard indicator light for RPM is operating sporadically.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #9

Jun 072013

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 67,250 miles
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.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #8

May 032010

Outlook

  • 25,000 miles
The sunroof is leaking water. Had to take it to the dealer several times before they say they fixed the problem. I do not believe it is fixed. This issue of leaking sunroofs/ moon roofs has caused numerous problems in the same make/model vehicles and the leaks caused electrical problems, mold etc. In these vehicles. I will not drive my vehicle on days it looks like it might rain for fear it will leak again. As I understand this problem cannot be "fixed" and it is only a matter of time before mine leaks again. My vehicle only has appx 36000 miles on it. I should not be afraid of driving my vehicle. I want my money back.

- Clermont, GA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012011

Outlook

  • miles

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

We noticed that we were getting water in the car coming from the rearview mirror. We were finding water dripping through sunroof and going to the mug box. We noticed electrical problems also: The heating/cooling motor in the front of the car stopped to work and we have to change it. The buttons for rear wiper does not work anymore. The water overflows into the car and after a rainstorm we had 1.5 inches water below driver and passenger seats. I know that there has been several customers that had similar problems with the sunroof drains. It is a poor design that the Saturn Corp.

- Emerson, NJ, USA

problem #6

Dec 012009

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 21,888 miles
Purchased on 9/17/2008 and noticed a wet smell and brought it in 12/1/09 we also informed them of an electrical problem dvd/rear hatch - they found no problem with any of the issues. On 2/10/10 car in due to a wet smell rear hatch/dvd electrical issues. Found no issue with hatchback but the waterleak report "exterior - poor fits, water tested- removed headliner found excessive water leaking around glass-water running down headboard to rear - necessary sunroof window replacement. 4/14/2010 back with the dome light not working and smelled wet- dome light "inop verified due to water intrusion from sunroof leak"asked them to check the rear seat tracks -lots of rust- "surface rust on seat tracks- per tac normal condition - did spray down with silicone lubricant". in 6/8/2010 because of wet smell service states, "verified water in vehicle above headliner, removed headliner for water test - removed sunroof module and installed urethane sealer in drain holes and removed cross hatch area in drain tubes - watertested good" and under repair 1 "07-08-57-002E water dripping from 'a' pillars or ropcode:C9818 and repair 2, "07-08-57-002E water dripping from 'a' pillars or ropcode: C9820. Back on 8/24/2010 because a molding would not stay attached and front seatbelt adjusters was cut. In 12/23/11this time to rosner Chevrolet - electrical issues with warning lights-"open recall 10085 and they rerouted wireharness/replace-open recall- replaced connecter and re-routed harness as per recall". noise coming from the tires and"both front hub/bearing assemblies to be bad and replaced both left and right". the car has continued to stink like "wet dog" even though we are not seeing any dripping water. Today used a moisture meter - high levels of moisture throughout the entire car - all 4 door frames, the flooring, the hatch, pulled back floor mats to find white powdery mildew.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

problem #5

Jan 112012

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
My 2008 Outlook has been in the shop now three times for leaks. They can never find the leaks. Now I have the inner lining of the ceiling leaking with water from the rain and all my leather seats are wet, the inside of the windshield was wet along with all my lights dripping with water. I have read on so many forums how the electrical problems all started with these leaks and we should have a recall before anyone gets killed from the car dying on the highway while driving.

- Newport, NC, USA

problem #4

Dec 012009

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 4,500 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the engine stalled when the accelerator was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 4,500 and the current mileage was 41,000. Updated 11/07/11 updated 06/13/2012

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 162010

Outlook

  • 39,500 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle through the roof, causing various electrical problems with the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the dealer was unable to determine the origin of the leak but repaired the electrical failures. The dealer discovered water in the fuse box and transmission control module. The contact stated that the failure recurs in rainy weather and the contact believed that water was entering from the dome lights. The failure mileage was 39,500.

- Acushnet, MA, USA

problem #2

Jun 012009

Outlook

  • 25,000 miles
I have a 2008 Saturn Outlook that around 25000 miles started leaking water from the sun roof, windshield pillars and headliner. The water leak also caused the brake switch to corrode and the emergency brake light and alarm to continuously go off. Vehicle was taken to the dealership that identified a recall for sunroom drains that to correct the issue. About 3 weeks later water started leaking into the vehicle again and it has been ongoing ever since. The vehicle has been back to 3 different dealerships a total of 5 times for the water leak and each time the leak would go away for a couple of weeks or so. The vehicle smells from the continuous leaking water. I was advised that once the leak was totally repaired they would work with me to replace the damaged carpets and headliner. Around October 2009 the Saturn customer service offered me a complete bumper to bumper warranty to continue coverage on my vehicle and so they could work on the leak. In January 2010 the water leak re-appeared but all of the Saturn dealerships had closed down and GM had not determined what dealership I should use. I was advised in February 2010 to use a local Chevrolet dealership for all future repairs, I took the vehicle to this dealership for the water leak and another issue for repair and I was advised that the water leak was not a covered repair even though it was an ongoing documented issue. I was given a support number to call. When I called the number and open up another customer support ticket I was advised that I would be contacted in 24-48 hours. Two weeks later I received a call back and, I was advised that the extended warranty does not cover water leaks and they would not help me with my ongoing water leak. I was also advised that no repairs would be done for any of the water damage and that I would be charged at the end of my lease for all of the water damage. I have a leaking vehicle that smell S and the manufacture refuses to help me. What can be done?

- Elmwood Park, NJ, USA

problem #1

Apr 262008

Outlook

  • 15 miles
Since I leased this vehicle, I have had to return it to the dealership a total of 6 times. My vehicle has been out of service for repairs for approximately 20 calendar days. The current mileage on my vehicle is 18,654. My vehicle has had problems with steering, transmission, and the electric seat, but the main reason that the vehicle was brought in for repair on each of the six visits is as follows: When raining, water appears in the following locations: (a) passenger side, 2nd column; (B) passenger side, directly below glove compartment; (C) passenger side, floor area; (D) passenger side door, floor area directly below door; (E) passenger side windshield, dropping from top of windshield area onto dashboard; (F) passenger side seatbelt -- completely soaking wet; (G) passenger side airbag plug, water dripping out from edges; (H) driver side seatbelt; (I) driver side window. Please note that this does not happen each and every time it rains; it happens every 2 to 4 times it rains. The last time it was brought in to Saturn, smoke was pouring out from below the glove compartment and there was a very bad "electrical" type of smell. The headliner has been removed a couple of times; they have verified that there is dampness and a water leak above the headliner, but they cannot replicate or determine the source of the leaking. The dealership has informed that at this point they can do nothing further to determine the source of the leak. They state that an engineer from Saturn must look at the vehicle to attempt to determine the problem. I have written to Saturn and they are sending someone out to look at it next week. If it cannot be repaired, I am instituting lemon law proceedings. The car reeks of mildew.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

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