NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2009 Saturn Outlook (Page 1 of 3)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,278 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.

2009 Saturn Outlook electrical problems

electrical problem

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2009 Saturn Outlook Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #42

Oct 122022

Outlook

  • miles

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

UNKNOWN We have only had this vehicle for approximately 4 months and have had soon many issues but the electrical system has been a problem non stop

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #41

Sep 022019

Outlook

  • 150,000 miles
Driver headlight harness overheats, causing headlight to go out. This has happened three times now in less than two years. I replaced the connector harness and within a few weeks it had melted and the light was out again. When I looked up what to do I found out that many other Saturn Outlook owners have the same problem.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #40

Aug 262019

Outlook

  • miles
The headlight wiring has melted

- Santa Fe, TX, USA

problem #39

Dec 032018

Outlook

  • 134,000 miles

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

In 2016, I purchased a 2009 Saturn Outlook from a dealer, with 90,000 miles on it. Two months later, "transmission overheating, let engine idle" indicator came on, and the Saturn shut itself down as I drove down I-35! mechanic said they couldn't find anything wrong. They reset my codes, and all seemed okay. This happened a few more times, but know one could tell me what was wrong other that bank 1 low. For the most part it drove without problems. Regular service maintenance, and oil changes consistent with the manual. I rarely drove it after the second year of owning it. On way home to Oregon (purchased Outlook in Iowa), I continuously lost power going up the passes. Semi trucks were passing me, as if I were sitting still. With new air-filter system, maf sensor, coils, boots, and spark plugs installed I continued at a snail pace all the way to Oregon. A two day trip took me seven days. Nobody could tell me what was wrong other than the bank 1 low, O2 sensor, which I replaced those as well. I get home and seven months later, I almost get hit by a school bus, because my Saturn stalled in the middle of the intersection. Three light changes later, I make it across the street to the college. It shuddered all the way, till I parked it, where I had to wait to be towed three blocks to home. I paid over $15,000 for a vehicle that lasted me under 50,000 miles. It is paid in full, and is now dead. Still no clue as why. Codes show bank 1 and 2 low " but why will it not start? why did my battery die" I could not have taken better care of my baby, if I tried! please, help me fix her. There is no reason for this vehicle to be out of commission, yet it is at 134,000 miles. GM, please fix this. This was faulty at 90,500 miles. I have always taken great care of every car I have ever owned. It got worse after I took it to a Chevy dealer in Missouri! catalytic bank 1 and 2.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #38

Aug 102018

Outlook 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a progressive loss of electrical power without warning. Larry fannin Chevrolet Buick GMC (329 E main St, morehead, ky 40351, (800) 467-0411) indicated that the vehicle was excluded from the manufacturer internal contamination campaign (14515B) regarding the electronic chassis and replaced the electronic control module. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. * the consumer stated he also has 2 punctures inside bracket of the A/C line.

- West Liberty, KY, USA

problem #37

Jul 212018

Outlook

  • miles
Takata recall, to start I have had many issues with this vehicle including having to replace my transmission. Also my vehicle does not immediately start after filling up the gas tank, not when I had been empty just filling it up in general I have to try starting it a few times before it takes. My most recent and worrisome complaint is that the front blower motor has stopped a few times and today when pulling it out it was filled with water. I have children and cannot feel safe with them in such a poor quality vehicle. I know this model has been discontinued and I can see why. There are so many issues that are known about these vehicles and nothing has been done to protect the customer, recall these vehicles, they are dangerous.

- Florence, AZ, USA

problem #36

Oct 192016

Outlook

  • 115,000 miles

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

No sound from speakers including radio, turn signals and warning alarms. Disconnected wiring boots from all 4 doors; each had 1/4 cup of water in them (figured this out by reading numerous complains about this vehicle, the GMC acadia and the Buick enclave all having this issue). Taken to dealer who stated a corroded wire zapped the amplifier (which again has been complained about on numerous web forums). $1020 to fix it a the dealership. GM needs to make this a recall.

- Michigan Center, MI, USA

problem #35

Apr 052016

Outlook

  • 78,700 miles
When I was entering moving traffic from a completely stopped position, a car was coming faster than I realized so I floored the accelerator and this is what happened: 1.all power to my car shut off and the car rolled forward slowing down. 2.all of the dashboard lights and symbols lit up. 3.my car jolted strongly once, sputtered (many times), and hiccupped (many times). The jolt was so strong that it threw me forward and made my seatbelt catch me. 4.at the same time as # 3, the gps rebooted itself 3 times in a row and all of the car door locks unlocked and locked themselves 3 times in a row. 5.I gently pressed the accelerator and the car accelerated but the car felt weak and I felt uncertain. I was not sure what would happen if I tried to accelerate normally so I put on my emergency blinkers and slowly drove home.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #34

Oct 022015

Outlook

  • 4 miles
The wire harness for the front headlights fails after you change the build causing the light to short out.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #33

Sep 032015

Outlook

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, smoke started emitting from above the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- O'fallon , MO, USA

problem #32

Apr 152015

Outlook

  • 67,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side headlight was not working. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic. The light was replaced on various occasions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #31

May 012014

Outlook

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to experience a loss of acceleration which resulted in a loss of power without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was unable to be diagnosed. The failure recurred 4 to 5 times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000. The VIN was not available.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #30

Dec 012014

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
When driving at highway speeds I notice the indication lamp in the dash where speed, temp and direction is lit, flashes on and off intermittently. Also that webbing in rear seat belts does not retract and is frayed through and may result is failure to restrain occupants. Dealership claims all the recalls were address prior to the sale of the vehicle (1 owner) before it's sell to me the consumer.

- Durand, MI, USA

problem #29

Mar 272014

Outlook

  • 80,948 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while attempting to turn, the steering wheel seized and failed to straighten out. Also, the door locks failed to unlock when exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that a wire under the driver's seat malfunctioned and caused the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,948.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

problem #28

Jun 252014

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
June 25, 2014: One week after we spent $1600 for an unresolved engine light issue we were somewhat hopeful that nothing else could go wrong with this vehicle. I went to unlock the car with the remote and it did not respond. My husband tried to jump start it and discovered that the battery was dead. The latest battery we purchased was in November 2013, so this was concerning to us. As we lifted the floor mat to get to the battery compartment we found mold. Once the battery cover was moved and the battery was removed we found about 2 inches of brown water at the bottom of the battery compartment. In addition, the battery which we kept had mold on it as well. We were blessed to have been at home when this occurred because the car was working the previous night with no issues. Had we been away from home this would have been a bigger issue because our children would have been with us in the hot, houston heat. This is safety concern because there is no reason that water should be in the bottom of the battery compartment. We have no idea how long the water was there and because of this I feel like we have to be cautious when it rains, even a little because the battery may die. I am glad we found this ourselves because we have pictures as evidence to support the issue. I have made this issue known to Saturn customer care.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #27

Jun 122012

Outlook

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the air bag and traction control would activate and deactivate independently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #26

Mar 312013

Outlook

  • miles
While driving home at night, the driver side headlight went out. Next day I bought new lamps and replaced both of them but the driver side headlight still didn't turn on. I did notice a burning smell coming from the harness and lamp socket on the driver side. It seems that the headlight had overheated and melted the wiring harness and some of the socket assembly. After doing some research I found that many people have had the same issue with these vehicles and believe that this should be considered a recall for safety reasons. This could potentially cause and electrical fire or a serious traffic accident while driving at night.

- Altadena, CA, USA

problem #25

Jul 252012

Outlook 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Transmission slips and car bucks, shutters, and skips at a RPM at around 1400-1600 RPM's.

- Doylestown,, PA, USA

problem #24

Jul 102012

Outlook

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not accelerate over 30 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics who advised that the drains in the pillars were clogged, causing a short in the fuse box. There was also mold and water under the front driver and passenger sides of the floorboard carpet. The mechanic stated the fuse box would have to be replaced and the wiring harness would have to be cleaned. The carpet would also need to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed a strong fishy odor in the vehicle, which also stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the contact was advised that the vehicle was equipped with an incorrect battery. The battery was replaced. The contact stated the battery was the original battery when the vehicle was purchased. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #23

May 232012

Outlook 6-cyl Diesel

  • 40,000 miles
There was a leak that soaked the front passenger floor. Entire electrical system ultimately failed. Initially car continued to run with the key removed. Subsequent attempts to start vehicle resulted in key stuck in ignition and inability to start engine; battery only shows output of 4 volts!!!

- Bethpage, NY, USA

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