Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Saturn Outlook owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the airbag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the MDS was not communicating with the airbags. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
airbag sensor on passenger seat stays off even when passenger is in seat. I have read many complaints from same vehicle since they were new. Also has electrical issues intermittently possibly from water leaking thru sunroof
There is a leak in both corners of the sunroof allowing water to leak down into the console affecting the performance of the airbags. There are drain holes on both sides of the sun roof but the water dosent go down. The water damaged several wires under the passenger seat and it also damaged the fuel box. I did not know this until I started the car and saw smoke coming from the passenger side floorand under glove box. I took it to the repair shop where he showed me the burned fuse box and also a puddle of water underneath the passenger seat and the wires under the seat were also burned . This car has a defect in the sunroof allowing water to drain into the consol onto wires and they catch fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the sun roof leaked each time it rained. The water traveled across the top of the vehicle, onto the windshield, and into the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to stuteville Chevrolet Buick GMC of ponca city (3330 n 14th st, ponca city, OK 74601, [phone]) where the body control was replaced; however, the failure continued. The contact stated that the vehicle needed a new battery due to the water that was leaking onto the battery. The battery was replaced. The contact also stated that the ppm chip for the air bag was missing, which caused the air bag warning indicator to illuminate. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V118000 (air bags). The contact also stated that the vehicle would lurch forward when in park or drive. …
When I first got the vehicle in 2017 it was always parked in the garage so the problem wasn't noticed until I stopped using the garage. When it rains a lot water is leaking through the front sunroof which is then draining underneath the hood of the car in the electrical area and finally leaking through the front passenger side floor boards. It caused electrical issues with the Outlook because of the initial sunroof 'clog'. Also the car could be driven but when you turned off the vehicle it would not shut down. I've seen many issues of the same problem that other owners are having as well with their outlooks. If the numbers are there from people complaining I'm not understanding why this hasn't been investigated and turned into a recall. What starts as a sunroof leak can easily and quickly lead to thousands of dollars worth of repairs because the water is leaking under the hood area.
The passenger air bag indicator says "off" and / or an error "service airbag" comes on with a red symbol as well. The dealer indicates it is a defective passenger air bag seat sensor. The vehicle had a TSB for a air bag wiring harness in 2012 and this was done. I see many complaints and other recalls for GM on other vehicles for this issue. I was shocked that the standard warranty of 36,000 miles is all that is required for a critical safety system! Emission components have more stringent requirements by law..... This is very concerning, as it impacts passengers in my vehicle and is intermittent. It could cause the airbag not to deploy or to deploy with more force, killing a child in the seat.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle became uncontrollable and hydro-planed. The contact crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. There were five children in the vehicle who sustained injuries from bruising, contusions and lacerations that required stitches. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 14V118000(air bags) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. ..updated 04-29-14 updated 8/1/17
There was recall on the passenger side seat airbag the dealer supposedly fixed it but the code is back on #b0081 called dealer they said oh well the recall was fixed well if it was the code should not be back on for the same thing. Also there was a recall on the transmisson took it several times to dealer said nothing wrong then finally the solineds went out replaced them 1 month later the whole transmison went this was on a GM recall and I feel because I had complained several times before that GM should reimburse me the $5000 we had to pay to get a new transmison. The transmison went out while on the freeway and the airbag has been on wont go off.
The sunroof leaks when it is closed, and this is causing water to come in to the roof of the vehicle. Water is coming in from the front air bags, the windshield, under the dash, out of the garage door opener, the visor, and the back seat belts. I now have to replace the body control module which is related to the water damaging the unit. I am fearful the with the water getting in by the airbags that if I get into an accident they will malfunction. I have also been receiving messages about servicing the stabilitrac, but when I have had it looked at the mechanic can't find anything wrong, so this could also be related to the body control module.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the air bag and service air bag indicators illuminated and remained lit after the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to keyes Chevrolet (5943 van nuys blvd, los angeles, ca 91401, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the modular kit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing could be done due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014.
Airbag complaints in other Outlook years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA has 97 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 15% of the model year's 633 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Outlook airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-118 (side/window, Mar 17, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Outlook airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to air bags 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.