Transmission Failure Problems of Saturn Outlook

Transmission problems. 35r wave plate known to be defective (causing complete transmission failure) in Outlook, acadia, enclave, vue, etc. Thousands and thousands of customers having this issue.

See all problems of the 2008 Saturn Outlook 🔎.

Second transmission failure, loss of power and failure to upshift while accelerating in heavy traffic. Had to pull into center lane to avoid interfering with traffic nearly causing collision with oncoming traffic preparing to turn. Was notified by dealership that it is a transmission problem. Awaiting estimate for repairs. First transmission failure at 42k miles second failure at 86k miles. Other vehicles of this type had extended warranty for this type problem but for some reason, this vehicle was not included.

Wave plate shavings caused transmission to fail while driving on interstate.

See all problems of the 2009 Saturn Outlook 🔎.

-25 f, 2 hours away from home, 7 pm at night, two kids in the car, and treacherous road conditions ~ transmission fails !!!! was in the shop less then two weeks prior for check engine light & service stabilitrak/traction control warnings. Gm dealer cleared lights & said they were historic & nothing to worry about. This problem is widespread & it isn't hundred of cars affected, its thousands and probably tens of thousands (as these transmissions plague the Outlooks, acadias, traverses, & enclaves). So far gm is doing nothing ~ apparently it takes people dying to issue major recalls, and even then it takes many years and investigations by various agencies. Unacceptable and criminal !!!! I have opened up a case with gm corporate to see if anything will be done to offset or even cover the cost of replacing the junk transmission ($3800) ~ but, after reading countless blogs, webpages, ect of other peoples experiences with gm, I am not holding my breath. I will certainly jump on the class action lawsuit wagon, if it exists, or when it does come to fruition !!! this is certainly the last gm product I will ever buy! furthermore, I will take to social media and any other place I can to tell my story and make sure others know about these cars and the "service" that gm provides.

Transmission failure transmission would not go into reverse, drive, and was shifting hard. Upon further research found numerous like failures for Saturn Outlook, GMC arcadia. Big safety issue. I was fortunate it didn't happen while I was driving. Please review failure rates and propose gm recall transmissions for failures.

Transmission failed and would not allow vehicle to operate.

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.

See all problems of the 2007 Saturn Outlook 🔎.

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.

Family on vacation out of state with two adults and 3 children. At stoplight in heavy traffic. Went to accelerate and engine would run high rpm's but no vehicle movement. Finally got the vehicle to move slowly and barely made it to a local gas station. Could have caused an accident due to transmission failure in heavy traffic.

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.

I was driving on the freeway at 65 miles per hour when my transmission failed on a vehicle that had only 65,000 miles and was well maintained in accordance with dealer recommendations. The vehicle was towed to my mechanic and required replacement. I was informed that by the transmission repair facility that they had been receiving Saturn suvs on a regular basis. Exact quote was we have been getting "a ton" of these vehicles with very low miles.

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.

Regarding our 2008 Outlook that we purchased in August'12 - the vehicle has 47k on it & had 39k when we purchased it from our bank (a repo'd car). On 1/25/13 the transmission gave out literally in my driveway. Five minutes prior to that, I would have been on a major highway with school aged kids on board - I shutter to think of the possibilities. No warnings prior to this ever. (1/28/13) I contacted GMC directly, received a claim number from them, followed that up with a phone call to a towing company & then the GMC dealership to let them know that the vehicle was on it's way. Received a call from the dealership - diagnosis news - we needed a new transmission (we weren't surprised). The estimate wasn't fully completed yet (never a good sign) & they would call later with the cost. I missed that later in the evening - I'd had enough & talking about this issue was making me madder by the minute. How can you claim to do such 'rigorous testing' on your vehicles & then have transmission failure happen in a matter of minutes without any warning whatsoever!! (1/29/13) I was informed of the cost (I nearly hit the floor) but wait - they were offering a 10% discount & I could get a $200 visa rebate from gm - like I'd won a prize or something. Is this supposed to make it better?! how about standing behind your product?! it would seem to me that gm has a problem with their transmissions just based on the many posts on edmunds & online - perhaps a recall is in order. I was the one who pursued my Ford husband with "let's give a GMC car a try, it's american made too. So much for that - shame on me. This is so wrong to have to replace this transmission at this point & having to pay for it pay for it entirely only adds insult to injury! shame on me - no - shame on you GMC!!.

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.

The vehicle's transmission failed as I attempted to accelerate. I coasted to a stop at a red light. The vehicle was then pushed, through a busy intersection, to a gas station. It was later towed to a dealer for repairs.

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.