general problems of the 2008 Saturn Outlook

Six problems related to seats have been reported for the 2008 Saturn Outlook. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Saturn Outlook based on all problems reported for the 2008 Outlook.

1 Seats problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2020

Water started dripping down into the glovebox, every time it rains it gets soaking wet and there's some problems with the electrical panel.

2 Seats problem

Failure Date: 04/03/2017

Tl 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.

3 Seats problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2012

When a passenger is seating in the front seat, the air bag light indicator will say off instead of on.

4 Seats problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2011

The passenger side seat sensor for the airbag intermittently does not recognize that a person is sitting there. In the case of an accident the airbag will not deploy. This has occurred randomly for several years. I see another complaint for this issue as well.

5 Seats problem

Failure Date: 07/13/2011

I purchased a 2008 Saturn Outlook used at approximately 65,000 miles. The passenger air bag sensor had difficulties right off the bat. The gm service department looked at it and after glancing briefly at the computer monitor, it looked like the previous owner had many issues with the airbag sensor, too. They said it was probably something with where my son was sitting in the seat (17 year old boy). The sensor would go on and off intermittently. After some time, the air bag warning light came on. I took it to the dealership again a few months ago and they said I needed to replace the entire sensor for about $1,200. I was unable to do that (also thinking that it would fail again). So, we are driving around with what appears is no passenger side airbag. There have been various service bulletins for the airbag issue and numerous online complaints. I think that this warrants a recall.

6 Seats problem

Failure Date: 04/26/2008

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.


Other Seats related problems of the 2008 Saturn Outlook



Fuel Economy of Outlook Vehicles
Outlook Service Bulletins
Outlook Safety Recalls
Outlook Defect Investigations