Transmission Slip Out Of Gear problems of the 2008 Saturn Outlook

Transmission valve body failed. Car was unable to shift out of first gear.

On November 28, 2013 we experienced our first symptom that something was not quite right on our 2008 Saturn Outlook. Upon acceleration our car started to rev excessively at around 35-40 mph. We were able to continue to drive and the vehicle seemed to switch gears ok in every other gear. . . But really struggled when in the lower gears. We brought it into to see if possibly it just needed to have the transmission flushed and were advised against doing that. Instead, they topped of the transmission fluid and our vehicle seemed to run smoothly for exactly one week. And than boom, we had the exact same symptom where the vehicle could not shift out of lower gears and this time it had a burning type smell. I went online and, to my surprise, found page and page of discussions surrounding transmission issues with the 2007 and 2008 Saturn Outlook. In all cases, the symptoms were identical. In all cases, complete transmission rebuilds were the only solution. Most vehicles were just outside of their warranty, but in some cases, the mileage was as low as 30,000. Gm is fully aware of the situation, yet is doing nothing to rectify the matter. They know that they have a faulty "wave plate" in these cars that is causing the transmissions to completely break down. If you google "2008 Saturn transmissions" you will find all of the evidence you want to support the need to investigate a possible recall. This is both dangerous and incredibly costly and something that gm needs to accept and step up and repair. Our vehicle has only 72,000 miles on it and we are looking at a minimum of $3,400 in repairs. The mechanic that is fixing our vehicle has had six Outlooks in his shop alone. When I spoke to the customer service agent, [xxx] at gm 866-790-5700 ext [xxx], she freely and readily admitted that they were fully aware of the problem. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Without warning, I left a parking lot and my car seemed very sluggish. I noticed that it would not shift out of 1st gear. The check engine light came on, so I pulled over and killed the engine. I let it sit a few minutes and started the engine again. I had the same problem as I accelerated to go down the road. I didn't know what to do, so we called a wrecker and had it hauled to the transmission place. They called and told me the transmission would have to be rebuilt and the computer inside the transmission replaced and programmed. These repairs totaled just over $3,000. I am so angry because I have read on a Saturn forum that this is a pretty common problem. I don't understand why gm won't do the right thing and recall the transmission. This is ridiculous to have this type problem on a 5-6 year old vehicle.

After having stopped at a store, and putting my car into drive, it would not shift out of 1st gear / maybe 2nd and the check engine light came on. There is approximately 85,000 miles on the car and the transmission is gone! I have looked online and it appears to be a major problem with this vehicle.

Vehicle transmission failed while on 500 mile trip home to dallas. After pulling off the freeway in wichita for dinner, the vehicle wouldn't accelerate and slipped out of gear at about 30 mph. Had to tow it to a dealer. Was told the transmission had "fallen apart" and needed to be rebuilt or replaced at a cost of about $3,600. I have done some research and found this to be a rather common problem.

Transmission started shifting hard but was not doing it all the time, I took a friend home backed out of his driveway and the vehicle started bucking and jumping and not shifting when I got about a block down the road the check engine light come on and it would not shift out of 1st gear, I took it to a parts store and had the scanner put on it and it come up with the code po796 which is the 3-5 pressure plate, this SUV has never pulled or towed anything so there should be no reason why it went out. My previous SUV was a Saturn Outlook 2007 and the 3-5 wave plate went out of it, it is pretty clear that there is a defect from the factory on these plates and they are unsafe this repair has cost me 3400. 00 and I just bought the SUV in July, this is something that needs to be looked into and investigated because it is pretty clear that the plates are defective and gm needs to stand behind these with a recall.