Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Saturn Outlook owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The factory installed sunroof leaks rainwater into the interior of the car. It has affected airbags, sensors, electrical systems and power systems. If the car gets wet, the water travels to the electrical system to circuit boards and discharges the battery. The vehicle will die in traffic if water travels to the circuit board during driving. Airbags have evidence of water traveling through their assembly. Floor and seats are wet after rain, sprinkler, car wash, morning dew. Doesn't seems to be dependent on amount of water received. Battery tests fine on full charge. Alternator functioning correctly. Problem is directly related to sunroof leakage. Sunroof seal is not yet under recall. Yesterday, after a day of rain, the car had to be charged to drive to work. Drove 20 miles with no apparent power issues, but airbag sensors sent alert through the dash that airbags needed servicing. …
Issues with the 2007 Saturn Outlook include ongoing electrical issues (lights intermittent functioning, stabilitrack, traction control and ABS lights on intermittently, remote start doesn't work, power lift gate opens on it's own, lift gate switch failed internally), air intake filled with oil and water mix, water under fuel induction service, intermittently the stabilitrack will turn off, message saying 'engine power reduced', car shakes, no power and requires coasting to side of road. (this particular issue is temporarily addressed by turning the car off, removing the keys, opening the door, waiting five minutes. Then the car starts but check engine light remains on.) required new throttle body, replacing struts, sway bar link, shot and/or strut assembly. Rack and pinion, tie rods needed to be replaced. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. While accelerating from a complete stop, the traction control warning indicator illuminated and an unusual noise emitted. The vehicle began to vibrate with hesitation and then stalled. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where the engine was turned off. After waiting five minutes, the vehicle restarted with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The failure recurred numerous times. On a separate occasion, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure could possibly be related to the throttle body. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 187,880.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. During low climate weather, the ignition was turned to the on position and all of the warning indicators illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was shifted into drive, but failed to move. While driving at various speeds, all of the warning indicators illuminated and the engine stalled. While driving during low temperatures, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was oil in the engine air flow. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
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.
I was stopped at a red light on an off ramp, and my car just shut off. When I tried to start it, it made horrible noises and would never stay on. I took it to a mechanic and he said it's possibly the timing chain. There is a recall of timing chains except it's 120,000 miles or 10 years, which comes first. My car has 128,000 miles on it and is not eligible by 8,000 miles!!!!! This car has already had too many problems, now GM knows there is a timing chain issue, they should not limit the replacement on this or any other item that they know is faulty or will be a problem for all 2007 saturns.
Receiving message on dash display: engine power reduced, service stabilitrak, service traction control. Notice a sever drop in engine power and will practically not move if put in gear. Typically noticed when starting vehicle and pulling away. Can turn vehicle off for several minutes and issue is not experienced. (until the next time) there is no typical combination of events that happen before issue occurs, random. Have checked forums online and seems to be a common problem with this and other similar vehicles from GM (Outlook, acadia, enclave, traverse)
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the air bag and check engine warning indicators remained illuminated. Also, the stability control indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle's on star system performed a diagnostic on the air bags and concluded that the air bags needed to be serviced. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 93,000.
When starting the stabilitrak light comes on and the buzzer goes off, then the check engine lights flickers off and on. This causes a rough idle like a misfire .I have had plugs and coil packs replaced as well as shocks and struts. Error still remains. Mechanic says one issue triggers the other. Have seen 100's of other similar complaints on full size GM trucks and other suvs. Hopefully soon a recall issue
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the timing chain fractured on the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to capital Chevrolet of columbia (111 newland rd, columbia, sc), but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired and was inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Engine complaints in other Outlook years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Saturn Outlook, 6% of the model year's 511 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Outlook engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Saturn Outlook, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Saturn Outlook engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.