Steering Column problems of the 2008 Saturn Outlook

The steering column squeaks when you turn the steering wheel slowly and backing up and turning into position slowly.

Original owner, under warranty at 21,036 miles, had their dealership (mark christopher auto center, ontario, CA 91764) diagnose and confirm/replace internal rivets loose, necessary to replace defective steering column assembly, 03/18/2010. We are the second owner, and our dealership, polar chev of white bear lake, mn 55110, also recommends again replacing this defective steering column assembly at an expense of approximately $1,600, @ 62,000 miles. We feel gm knew of this defect based on other complaints online (ie. Socialmedia@gm. Com and cac@Saturn. Com just to name a few). We feel we should not have to pay for the replacement and gm has put us along with others, in a potentially dangerous driving situation!.

The vehicle's engine shuts off and the steering column locks up. There is a rapid decline in speed and the volt meter drops to less then 11. I have to hope that my vehicle is not hit by oncoming traffic and that I do not guide the vehicle into something that will cause damage. The 2008 Saturn Outlook is an unsafe vehicle. I have had issues with the vehicle shutting off during operation on several occasions while driving in city traffic, highways and at toll locations including bridges and tunnels. I have taken the vehicle to several dealerships and contacted gm to no avail. If they cannot replicate the issue, then the issue does not exist.

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.