Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the low pressure warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact continued to drive and heard a loud pop before the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and exited the vehicle before flames erupted in the engine compartment. The fire extinguished on its own. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not operable, and was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,415.
-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 !!!! …
Engine power reduced- this has happened on several occasions, where the engine just stopped running while driving, in town. Main wiring harness was repaired the first time because insulation was deteriorated and wiring was stuck together. Less than two weeks later, engine stops again while driving in town, was able to coast to the side of road, car restarted, trying to get home, car died again, would not restart, towed to auto shop again. Auto repair is unable to diagnose the problem, it will run great and just randomly stop running while driving, car has been in the shop for almost 2 weeks now. Nothing is coding when they run diagnostics. They have checked everything possible! I am having them keep the car until problem is resolved because I am scared to drive it and end up in a wreck. …
Driving on a small highway and the stabili rak light blinked and a chime rang. Error message came on to service stabilitrak while car began to buck and lose power. Had trouble getting car to accelerate - car kept bucking and it was very dangerous and I was afraid of getting hit from behind since I couldn't maintain speed. After a few minutes, the error light went off and everything seemed fine. In the years I have had the car, I had three incidents where the light would go on and the chime would ring with the same error message. However, in those cases, the car hesitated briefly but maintained a more normal speed. I brought my car to a GM dealer and it was a timing chain problem. The Saturn Outlook for 2007 and 2009 have special warranties for this problem but not the 2008 model. …
The vehicle's engine shuts off and the steering column locks up. There is a rapid decline in speed and the volt meter drops to less then 11. I have to hope that my vehicle is not hit by oncoming traffic and that I do not guide the vehicle into something that will cause damage. The 2008 Saturn Outlook is an unsafe vehicle. I have had issues with the vehicle shutting off during operation on several occasions while driving in city traffic, highways and at toll locations including bridges and tunnels. I have taken the vehicle to several dealerships and contacted GM to no avail. If they cannot replicate the issue, then the issue does not exist.
11/17/2016 replaced 2 transmission in two years within a few weeks after getting the car back from repair shop wife was driving to work on 12/16/16 the car stop running on the expressway. Dealer states throttle body was freezing do to condensation building up within throttle body stated this is common in these cars. Again got the car back after spending a ton more money getting it fixed had to take it right back engine light came back on within 20mi of driving. Don't waste you time buying these lemon cars.
I have 1 rear brake going out. The windshield leaks like a sieve. I have a leak somewhere near my radiator. And I'm told the chip in my transmission is going out on me. I have my dash board screeching bloody murder at me and my ears swell and I look like I have the mumps. I have taken it to the lot I'm buying from and they shrug and say oh well. This is unacceptable. I rarely if ever go on the freeway. I park off the street. I use the alarm system religiously. And it's over heating where the battery is.
During transit on interstate the engine stop providing power to the transmission and RPM decreased to 1,000 while decelerating the vehicle from 70mph to 45mph making it difficult to change lanes to pull off the road almost resulting in a fatal motor vehicle accident. After about 30-45 seconds the engin reengaged. 30 minutes later the vehicles system alerted that the transmission is overheating and recommended that we place the vehicle in nutral. This is the second time this has happened.
The 2 separate incidents occurred while driving for an extended time on the highway. The incident was around 5/13/15 traveling along route 81. While driving the transmission began to fail thus losing power and causing a safety concern on a busy highway.. The 2nd incident occurred on 7/31/15. While driving along route 695 in baltimore the water pump failed causing a loss of power and over heating the engine. Thus becoming a safety hazard on busy highway.
Engine complaints in other Outlook years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 8% of the model year's 633 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Outlook engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 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 2008 Saturn Outlook engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 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.