Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Multiple time my vehicle became wet in the inside due to a sun roof drainage tube issue. My vehicle stopped while in motion and there was a burning smell. Now none of my windows will go up and the car no longer starts. I have a loud knocking sound coming from the dash when I turn the heater or AC on. Now my dash shows service theft deterrent system. The first time I thought maybe the tube was clogged. I now come to find out that is was/is a on going issue with GM. I could've lost my life or been possibly rear-ended at highway speed due to GM not knowing how to make a sunroof.
My low beam headlight started to intermittently go out for a while. Then it went out completely. I go to replace the bulb only to find that the bulb wasn't the actual issue. The harness, wires, and socket to the bulb were blackened, burnt and melted. So now it all needs to be replaced. I've seen on several forums that has happened to so many people that have a car manufactured by GM. The original wiring is not quality enough for the heat and current that goes through there.
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
Issues with my Outlook alternator caught engine on fire, electrical issues with stabilizer/tracking controls, windows/mirror and mainly check engine light comes on while driving and transmission slips into low or 2nd gear. I had to pull to emergency lane and have vehicle towed twice. Dealer states its an issue with OBD/obi codes and clears code. Vehicle continues to do this almost daily, weekly. Water leaks through sunroof, front window glass, under dash on feet of driver and passenger; water leaks via dvd system while driving and stationary. Alternator caught on fire while driving and I coasted into a driveway and lifted hood the flames started, fire dept. Contacted immediately to put out. Damage to vehicle wires, tubes, etc under hood. Passenger side front window and mirror will not push out of roll down due to electrical issue driving and stationary. …
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.
The truck ABS light came on and a fire started. I got everyone out and the fire blew up and everything burned down to the body. We had it towed by police to prevent a further fire. It looks like it started near the battery in the back of the truck . I had no problems prior to this happening . It just all of the sudden caught on fire.
Car parked in owner's driveway. All windows and sunroof closed. After a heavy overnight rainstorm, owner drove car down driveway and heard a rush of water toward front of car. Owner saw water dripping from under glove box compartment, and substantial water on passenger side floor mat. Owner able to drive to work and parked in work parking ramp. After work, owner attempted to start car to go home, experienced no crank/ no start. Lights did come on but key then stuck in ignition. Car battery eventually died due to inability to turn off lights. Company called to jump start car, company attached jumper cables and lights came on, voltage good, car still no crank no start. Car was towed to dealership. Dealership diagnosis water leaked from the sunroof into the front of car and into the fuse box, requiring a new fuse box, all new terminals and new wiring. Cost for repair estimate $800-$1000. …
After a heavy storm rainwater leaked into the cabin of my parked and unoccupied vehicle through the factory installed sunroof, which was fully closed. The water also leaked into the cabin behind the glove box, under the dash, and through the headliner. This resulted in rainwater getting into the fuse box causing electrical corrosion and the rear wiper to malfunction. Besides the potential safety issue, an electrical malfunction while driving or fire, there is also a health issue of mold in the headliner and under the carpeting. As a result of the water getting inside the car the headliner is now permanently water stained and the carpeting was soaked. The dealership "blew out" the drain tubes but could not guarantee this would fix the problem. …
Takata recall....water leaks into the car behind kicker panel on passenger side going directly into the fuse/relay box. It leaks in all door jams and the rear liftgate area. I have problems with my car not shifting. Throwing code p2723 which is transmisson pressure control shift solenoid e. I believe its due to water getting into the fuse box because there is a constant drain on my battery and when testing the fuses with a test light not all of them seem to be getting a good connection due to all the corrosion. Also sunroof leaks. All door circuits get wet. I have to dry evrything out before I can start it. The carpet smells and its full of rust. Common sense would tell you that this cannot be good from any aspect. Im to the point to going up to GM and making them look really bad because this is unacceptable. I cannot believe with so many common problems there is yet to be a recall. …
The sunroof leaks water from the dash the rear causing the ceiling to be soaked and malfunctioning of sunroof water leaked on floor of the whole car cans side rear views causes the dash electrical system to go out motor blowers is filling up with water so ac/ heater can not defrost car so visibility to drive car it is unsafe and can cause an accident and very expensive to constantly replace a blower that will constant fill up with water to to sunroof drainage constantly clotting and won't drain and floors flooding eventually this will cause corrosion or fire being water and electricity don't mix well I have 3 children I don't feel we are safe in our vehicle this is our only form of transportation the speakers go in and out due to the water leaked and soon come winter car will not be able to leaky drive being motor blowers will not be able to constantly be purchased due to going out …
Related recalls
Electrical system
GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
Electrical system
GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Electrical complaints in other Outlook years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA has 164 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 26% of the model year's 633 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Outlook electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010); NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Outlook electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 10 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.