Worst 2008 Saturn Outlook Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Saturn Outlook.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 236 | 2 | 10 | 50,033 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 158 | 1 | 9 | 70,227 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 120 | — | 1 | 86,167 mi | |
| Airbags | 93 | 3 | 1 | 81,616 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 45 | — | — | 80,599 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 37 | — | 3 | 89,764 mi | |
| Body Structure | 25 | — | — | 92,186 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 20 | — | 1 | 106,480 mi | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 18 | — | — | 76,287 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 17 | — | — | 45,614 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 13 | — | 3 | 49,127 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 13 | — | — | 77,722 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 12 | — | — | 65,178 mi | |
| Brakes | 10 | — | 1 | 114,393 mi | |
| Visibility | 9 | — | — | 49,983 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | 1 | — | 52,267 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | 72,754 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 7 | — | — | 111,628 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | 37,019 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | — | — | 11,054 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 47,246 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Outlook. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Saturn Outlook
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,232,621 vehicles.
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 vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
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. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
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 EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Other Saturn Outlook Years
2008 Saturn Outlook — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Saturn Outlook reliable?
What are common problems with the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
How safe is the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
Does the 2008 Saturn Outlook have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2008 Saturn Outlook?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Saturn Outlook reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Saturn Outlook
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99