NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Saturn Outlook (Page 2 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

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2008 Saturn Outlook Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #138

Jul 192018

Outlook

  • 125,000 miles

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

Oh boy...here goes. I have a 2008 Saturn Outlook fwd. For the second time in a span if a few years, water has leaked from the sunroof and into the electrical components, fuseboxes, floors, etc. This is the infamous drainhose clogging issue that many may know about. The car now only starts when the key is removed from the ignition. The steering wheel is locked but I can shift gears and move the car backward and forward. I've cleaned up the water, grime and little larvae growing from the water intrusion. All electronics work correctly (even the butt warmer 😊) what I've tried so far: -replaced the ignition switch. -replaced the battery -checked all of the fuses of the underhood fuseboxes -checked several fuses of the under dash fusebox -threw a temper tantrum -cut my finger trying to get to impossibly placed screws -checked for recalls. GM still does not support and take responsibility for this issue -pulled the codes. The recent ones I've gotten are: C0899, C0561, P0017, P0011 last time this happened, it cost me over $1500 to replace all of the fuses/wiring. I am frustrated, yes. No, I don't have the money to fix this yet again. But I am more amazed at how GM leaves this issue with a tsb and a grain of salt, in spite of the overwhelming evidence of this long occurring problem. I am looking for advice. Mechanical advice. Legal advice. Meditation tips. I'll take anything. "sally", as the family calls her, is how we get to work, drive the kids to school, church, playdates, visit family, and other things that families have to do and like to do. I'd like to hear from GM, too, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Instead, you'll find me somewhere inside, beneath, or on top of sally. I'll be the one covered in grease, constantly sighing and wondering about all the others who have this same issue.

- Stoddard, WI, USA

problem #137

Apr 032017

Outlook

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the transmission intermittently would not shift out of gear and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and there was an abnormal noise coming from the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to kool Chevrolet Buick GMC (810 w Chicago rd, sturgis, mi) where it was determined that the sensor in the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer regarding the air bag warning indicator and it was diagnosed that the passenger seat was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

- Sturgis, MI, USA

problem #136

Nov 282017

Outlook

  • 130,000 miles
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. It looks like it started near the battery in the back of the truck. I had no problems prior to this happening. It just all of the sudden caught on fire.

- Niles, MI, USA

problem #135

Jun 192017

Outlook

  • miles

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

We kept getting a service airbag warning, took it to a Saturn certified mechanic and he said the passenger sensor in the seat is bad and could prevent the airbag from inflating in the event of an impact. Wondering why since he said this is a known problem that there hasn't been a recall. Also, the auxiliary amplifier went bad... he thinks this is from a leak, and the way the wiring harness was done apparently water gets into it and shorts the amp. Another known problem he said... unfortunately, all warning/safety chimes do not sound because of this and all the speakers don't work except for the front tweeters.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #134

Jun 062017

Outlook

  • 100,000 miles
I have had several issues since day one transmission replaced at 40K miles they only rebuilt so have had issues ever since still having issues ever since major electrical dashboard goes dark when driving flashes after it rains I loose power steering when driving for literally a minute sunroof leaks through airbags service has been checking for over 3 years now other issues I had prior to your extended warranties however no im over the 120K mile limit this vehicle has continual dangerous issues and now that you no longer manufacturer I feel gmac doesn't care and the cost to fix when repais are needed are outrageous I am now at 200K miles however this all started from the beginning through warranty and with the bulk once warranty expired this is a dangerous vehicle the steering and electrical alone

- Rexford, NY, USA

problem #133

Apr 242017

Outlook

  • 129,000 miles
The speakers in will randomly stop working. Most of the time most of the speakers work, but often the only speakers working will be both in the drivers door and the tweeter in the passenger door, all other speakers are dead. Sometimes when I hit a bump some speakers will start working then fail again.

- Chesaning, MI, USA

problem #132

Apr 192017

Outlook

  • 159,000 miles

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

There is a leak in both corners of the sunroof allowing water to leak down into the console affecting the performance of the airbags. There are drain holes on both sides of the sun roof but the water dosent go down. The water damaged several wires under the passenger seat and it also damaged the fuel box. I did not know this until I started the car and saw smoke coming from the passenger side floorand under glove box. I took it to the repair shop where he showed me the burned fuse box and also a puddle of water underneath the passenger seat and the wires under the seat were also burned. This car has a defect in the sunroof allowing water to drain into the consol onto wires and they catch fire.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #131

Mar 102017

Outlook

  • 90,000 miles
Low bean headlights are getting so hot they started melting the headlight housing.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #130

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 #129

Nov 032014

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. While stationary, fluid leaked from the sun roof into the cabin of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle would not start when prompted and the ignition key became stuck in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 115,000....updated 03/13/17 updated 08/15/2017

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #128

Apr 282016

Outlook

  • 67,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. While driving and also while in park, the liftgate opened and closed independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V415000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #127

Jun 202016

Outlook

  • miles
Driving late one night when my low beam lights stopped working, I was left with my high beam lights and my fog lights only. Ended up getting pulled over by a police officer on my way home, who advised that it is a common problem with the wiring in similar vehicles.after writing me a warning, I went home with little light for driving. Woke up this morning, attempted to check fuses and bulbs, no issues noted. Can smell a burnt wire smell near headlight. Did my research and apparently is is a very common problem indeed. Please recall headlight wiring harnesses.

- Glenpool, OK, USA

problem #126

May 112016

Outlook

  • 73,000 miles
When it rains, the headliner gets soaked. The water runs down arm going down in the front that connects the roof and dashboard and floods the driver side dead pedal and floor board. Water also leaks from rear sunroof glass and drips from the rear dome light and leaks to the 3rd row seats/rear compartment.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

problem #125

Apr 062016

Outlook

  • 80,500 miles
Sporadically, water leaks from the ceiling air vents/rear view camera/ A-braces/ airbag covers and basically any other place water can come out of. I have had it to the GMC dealer 2X to look for the issue but they cannot replicate. In viewing information online (specifically edmonds.com) it appears that this has been a well known problem since the auto was manufactured - I am just lucky that mine has been sporadic. It has not effected components of the vehicle yet, but if it keeps happening I have little doubt that there will be issues - parts corroding, electrical issues, etc. As mentioned earlier, it baffles me that there are 18 pages of identical complaints, yet the manufacturer has never been made to do anything about it - an idiot can tell that there has to be some manufacturer defect to have that # of occurences. I really don't expect anything to come of my issue, but wanted to document what has happened in case there are more serious issues later such as an accident caused by equipment failure due to water damage - it is only a matter of time before this defect causes serious harm to someone.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #124

Mar 272016

Outlook

  • 86,000 miles
After a heavy storm rainwater leaked into the cabin of my parked and unoccupied vehicle through the factory installed sunroof, which was fully closed. The water also leaked into the cabin behind the glove box, under the dash, and through the headliner. This resulted in rainwater getting into the fuse box causing electrical corrosion and the rear wiper to malfunction. Besides the potential safety issue, an electrical malfunction while driving or fire, there is also a health issue of mold in the headliner and under the carpeting. As a result of the water getting inside the car the headliner is now permanently water stained and the carpeting was soaked. The dealership "blew out" the drain tubes but could not guarantee this would fix the problem. I was further advised of a GMC customer satisfaction recall on this car (08207A) which expired on 09/30/09 and that this repair was never done on my vehicle, based on a check of the VIN. I contacted Saturn directly on 04/04/16 who refused to pay for this customer satisfaction recall since it expired 7 years ago. I've gotten more water inside my car since my trip to the dealership and was advised that the approximate cost to extend the drain tubes, as recommended on the customer satisfaction recall, would be at least $500. This price does not include replacing the headliner, the carpeting, possible mold removal, or repairing/replacing the fuse box. My main concerns are for the safety and well being of my small children while riding in this car.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

problem #123

Mar 062016

Outlook

  • 120,000 miles
While driving in the rain, water comes in from the sunroof running thru the airbags and has shorted my speakers and played havoc with my electrical system in general. The radio/car wouldn't turn off which drained the battery (which I've replace three times in a three year span) after the key was removed. I've had the drainage tube replaced several times but it still happens. My driver's side carpet stays wet and now it has a mildew smell and I've had to replace the floor mats twice. 3/6/16 was the latest occurrence.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #122

Dec 192015

Outlook

  • 165,000 miles
My 2008 Saturn Outlook recently started leaking water. I first noticed that my front passenger floorboard was wet, in December 2015. After noticing this I started having issues with the rear windshield wiper continually going, I could not turn it off. I then started having trouble with the radio staying on when I exited the vehicle. Within a couple of days my car battery died and I figured this is why I was having those issues. I replaced the battery with a brand new one. On Jan 19, 2016 I got into my car on an extremely rainy day and noticed a huge puddle of water on the front passenger floorboard. I looked all around the car and could not find any leaks, nothing from windshield, sunroof or damaged weather stripping. I took out the mats and the car dried out. On Jan 31, 2016 there was another extremely wet and rainy day and once again water was pooled up in front passenger floorboard. As I drover car away water started pouring into the vehicle from all openings, ie seatbelt harness, windshield, from below dash, vents, everywhere. All of the passengers in car were getting wet. Once home I parked the car in the garage and I took out floor mats and opened up windows for car to dry out. After a couple of days the rear windshield wiper started going off repeatedly on it's own, like before. I could not turn it off, once again. Then the radio continued to stay on once the car was turned off, key removed and driver door opened. I last drove the car on wed night 2/3 and parked in the garage overnight. When I went to get in car the next morning it was completely dead. No power at all, brand new battery. Then the key got stuck in the ignition and car was stuck in garage. I had to have tow company come and tow car off to dealership. I filed complaint with GM. I see this has been a problem for others as well.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #121

Jan 312016

Outlook

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. While driving in the rain, the vehicle collected water within the wedging of the sun roof and headliner and began leaking from any opening within the vehicle (doors, vents, etc). When the vehicle was parked and/ or stopped, the vehicle began to accumulate water on the floor of the vehicle. The contact stated that the ignition key was stuck in the ignition switch and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

- Disalia, CA, USA

problem #120

Dec 312015

Outlook

  • 120,000 miles
Water leaking from blocked drains in sunroof, now have to replace fuse box module. When it rains water comes from airbag on both farms by windshield, water collects at base of dash board on both driver & passenger sides. When pulling out key from ignition, key wouldn't release. Battery dead every morning due to car "thinking" it was on all night. Dashboard light issues & warnings for airbags & stabiltrack system. Replaced battery before finally having issues diagnosed correctly as an electrical issue. Looks like I'm by far not the first to report this "known" issue.

- Mentor On The Lake, OH, USA

problem #119

Jan 012014

Outlook

  • 40,000 miles
Low beam headlights continue to go out after replacing with new ones. Has happened parked once but usually occures accelerating after being stopped or after driving distances more than 30 miles. This started back in early 2014 and has continually gotten more and more frequent. Other various electrical problems keep occuring such as lights dimming while driving (interior dash) and climate control setting changing to what I can presume are default settings (74 deg for both driver and passenger side turning on)

- Sherwood, AR, USA

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