Three problems related to transmission solenoid 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.
I was on a 4 lane highway, and the vehicle acted as if it was in neutral all of a sudden, and slowed down while maintaining high rpms and would not go above 10 mph. I had to pull to the side of the road before being hit by traffic behind me. The check engine light came on, and I took the vehicle to have it checked. A code was put out of it for the shift solenoid for gears 1-2 being �stuck on�. After having the fluid changed as stated for a possible cause, everything returned to normal and the check engine light went off. Today, on 11/19/2018, I was on the interstate and experienced the same problem and had to attempt to make a safe exit. Through online research, and auto mechanics, this issue is happening a lot with these specific vehicles, as well as similar models from other makes and there has yet to be a recall. This is an extremely dangerous situation to be in.
Transmission failure due to fractured wave plate 3/5. The 6t70/75 6-speed automatic transmission may experience no reverse and slip/flare/harsh shifts in 3rd and/or 5th gear. Codes p0776 clutch pressure control (pc) solenoid 2 stuck off and p0842 transmission fluid pressure (tfp) switch 1 circuit low voltage may be set. The 35r clutch wave plate may be broken, allowing the piston to overstroke, causing the piston to leak and resulting in loss of apply on vehicles with greater than 25,000 miles. During the repair process it is important to install the wave plate in the proper orientation to prevent the possibility for the failure to re-occur. Install the rounded edge of the new wave plate internal splines facing the 35r piston. Note: the same TSB applies to 2007-2009 GMC acadia, 2007-2009 pontiac g5, 2008-2009 pontiac torrent, 2008-2009 Buick enclave, 2008-2009 Chevrolet equinox and malibu, and 2009 Chevrolet traverse, equipped with the 6t70/75 6-speed automatic transmission (rpo mh2, mh4, mh6 and my9).
While accelerating in speed after being stopped at a red light the vehicle went to shift and the engine rpms went up excessively, and the jerked hard when shifting. It progressively got worse as we tried to make it home. We added transmission fluid because it looked low. The next day the engine light came on. I took it to a transmission repair shop who put it on the diagnostic machine. The said that it showed a solenoid stuck open, but was concerned that the fail safe didn't work properly. They said I should have had reverse, and second to get me off the road safely. However, the reverse didn't kick in unless the vehicle was rolling backwards. They are telling me that the whole transmission will need to be replaced. The car has less than 60000 miles on it.