Transmission Failure problems of the 2007 Saturn Outlook

Our 2007 Saturn Outlook broke down with the dreaded wave plate transmission failure. Symptom was that the transmission shifted into neutral on its own around 30-35 mph and would not continue. We tried several times to restart. Each time the transmission held up until 30-35 mph then shifted into neutral and stopped. We had the Outlook towed to fna transmission in wakefield, MA who confirmed that the wave plate failed and shredded the rest of the transmission. . . Nothing could be saved. While I am happy no one was hurt, a transmission should last more than 104k miles, which is of course out of warranty period. The repair cost $3000. Why is there no recall on this known issue? we had planned to trade this Outlook in for a newer traverse, but now I am not confident in the product. Gm, please fess up to this problem. Thank you.

Hello I have the 2007 Outlook that has experienced the notorious transmission failure. My car was taken back to the dealership soon after I purchased it with 40,000 miles and told them the car would roll back while on a hill in gear. They said it was inherent with this transmission and sent me on my way. As dangerous as this was to send a customer away with a car that rolls backwards. Today the transmission failed without notice. I backed out of a parking spot in the lowes parking lot and the car shuttered violently. I made it to the corner about a half mile away before the car simply would not move. I had it towed to lunghamer GMC at 5825 highland road in waterford michigan. I pulled the engine code myself and had p2723, p0700 I am finding everywhere on the web through hundreds of forums that this transmission is a real issue due to the defective china made wave plate. This is a defective part that implodes internally then takes out the entire transmission. This is an expensive $4000. 00 repair , replacement. This should be a recall because gm has known about this failure early on.

The transmission failed and almost caused me to get in a wreck on the interstate.

Transmission failure! I was trying to park, the reverse control didn't work properly, check engine came on. After few hours parked, I went back home, the speed wasn't working (rpm 3 and 4 speed 35) and the light was still on. I got home, a mechanic came over to check it, he said it was the transmission. I took it to GMC, they worked the recalls (?? I don't know still what recalls they work on it), and told me it is the transmission. I have to pay $4,500 if I want a new one, $200 less if I want an used one or rebuild. Since it is more that 5 years old, no warranty on in. I still owe $11000 on this vehicle.

The vehicle suffered transmission problems. Dealer diagnosed the well-known wave plate breakage issue. This problem has been we-documented for years in vehicles with this transmission, and gm has issued various technical bulletins regarding the problem. Why is there no recall for this dangerous problem? transmission failure can occur at any time, even while driving.

While driving vehicle at highway speeds the vehicle lost power and then slammed into gear which caused loss of speed and control. Transmission failed more precisely was the wave plate in the transmission.

Was getting on I 80 in south bend in. ,when transmission failed,on my way home from south dakota, I live in PA, almost got hit by a tractor trailer,,did some research and discovered this is a very common problem with this gm model ,7 months out of warranty,had the hole family with ,what a nightmare.

Wife called me and said her car wouldn't move - belt problem? had heard clattering and high pitched whine earlier and yellow check engine light came on. Was able to start car and shift it into reverse and drive. We decided to drive it to the dealer - champion GMC Buick in brighton. Going up a hill near maltby intermediate school, the car began to stall and slow. Blue smoke came out of the engine. Stopped at top of hill. Got out and inspected engine again. . . Acrid burning smell. Was able to limp car down other side of hill and park in mt. Brighton parking lot and called aaa to tow the vehicle. No flames detected. Dealer said gaskets transmission had failed, coating underside of hot engine.

Original owner. Transmission failure at 76k miles. Powertrain originally warranted for 5 years/100k miles. However, since the vehicle just outside of warranty timeframe (not miles), the cost was $3500 rebuild from dealer. Based on internet research this appears to be a widespread issue with 2007, 2008, 2009 Outlook and acadia due to "wave plate" failure. (not clear whether this is the problem with our vehicle since we did not repair. ) although we were happy with vehicle until this issue, we elected to trade in vehicle at a loss (due to issue disclosure) for a non-gm product since internet bulletin boards indicate that transmission rebuilds not reliable in long term for this model.

My 2007 Saturn Outlook suffered complete transmission failure at only 59,700 miles. The incident occurred while driving across town at a rate of 25 mph. Car has been babied since we got it. Basically an all-wheel drive Mini-van. No off-road activities. Did not use it to pull any trailers or other vehicles. Was a great car until this occurred. Warranty expired in sept. Of 2012. I had the car towed to a local mechanic who said that the "wave plates" had broken and caused the transmission to fail. I am not a mechanic and do not know much about cars, but I contacted gm and was told that I had to have the vehicle inspected by a certified gm repair specialist. So, I had it towed again to a gm repair shop and they confirmed that it was the wave plates that had failed. They also informed me that the wave plates were a universal problem for this make and model of car - they had repaired numerous vehicles with the same issue. . . All transmission failures at or before 75,000 miles. In their opinion this was a defective part and they thought gm should issue a recall. No car should have a completed transmission failure on a vehicle that early! gm contacted the repair shop I was working with and informed them that because my warranty had expired, the best they could do was to offer me a "CO-payment" of $1500 to "repair" the transmission. If I wanted to replace the entire transmission I would have to pay the full cost of $4500 out of pocket. I opted to have the transmission repaired for $1500. I felt it was my only option. Cash is tight and $4500 out of pocket is way too much for what is obviously a defective part. I did not feel I should have to pay anything at all - gm built a bad vehicle. These vehicles should all be recalled and the wave plates should all be replaced - and all of it should be on gm's tab. So, nhtsb, do your job . . . Put pressure on gm and get the recall in place.

Transmission failure.

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that as he attempted to merge into traffic driving 15 mph the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the 3-5-r gear wave plate malfunctioned which kept the vehicle from accelerating. As a result, the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 61,000.

Transmission failed, was rebuilt, failed again and rebuilt again. It has now failed a 3rd time. A 'service' bulletin was issued - but only to 120k miles or 10 years. My vehicle was 10k over the 120k but still within the 10 year. Saturn refuses to make the product right. Searching the internet is full of the same complaint at various stages. The vehicle has a faulty transmission - and should be replaced. Just because I drive miles, I am being penalized and stuck with a faulty product. My car has been dealer maintained since I purchased it new in Nov 2007. Please help Saturn owners that purchase a vehicle in good faith that it will work. We need transmissions replaced for our cars.

My wife had been experiencing sudden acceleration and revving of engine at stop lights and then the transmission failed and left her stranded at the side of the road. We have had this repaired but the problem persists and we don't know when the transmission will fail again.

I bought the vehicle and one week later had a transmission failure. I was pulling out onto a road and the transmission quit working. The rpms would rev, but there was no power. Since then this has become a regular occurrence, and gm is not willing to help at all. I've spent thousands of dollars having parts replaced and I'm not comfortable driving my children in this car anymore.

Transmission failed on a steep hill goin up. Almost was rear-ended. Had transmission replaced. 1/4/2013, new transmission failed @ 135000 miles. Only lasted 44000 miles and 1year and half. Failed going 70 mph on interstate, had to pull over pass speeding traffic, almost got nailed by semi-truck. Gm not doing anything but sorry you are out of luck! nice service. Glad we bailed them out.