Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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.
I have had several issues since day one transmission replaced at 40K miles they only rebuilt so have had issues ever since still having issues ever since major electrical dashboard goes dark when driving flashes after it rains I loose power steering when driving for literally a minute sunroof leaks through airbags service has been checking for over 3 years now other issues I had prior to your extended warranties however no im over the 120K mile limit this vehicle has continual dangerous issues and now that you no longer manufacturer I feel gmac doesn't care and the cost to fix when repais are needed are outrageous I am now at 200K miles however this all started from the beginning through warranty and with the bulk once warranty expired this is a dangerous vehicle the steering and electrical alone
On 8/26/2011, I replaced my drivers side headlight bulb and noticed a burnt wire smell but did not notice anything visually, approximately one month later I noticed that my light was out again the next day I bought a new bulb. I started the process of changing out the bulb but noticed it was back on so I stopped. A few days later the bulb was out again so I changed the bulb and noticed that the burnt smell was very bad and the plug on the wire harness and the wire insulation had melted. I have read many complaints for this issue at http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165895&goto=nextoldest , http://www.saturnoutlookforum.net/index.php?topic=818.80 and others. Please look into this issue before someone is injured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. While driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the driver side headlight failed. The contact then smelled an abnormal burning odor and he continued driving using the low beams. The contact attempted to replace the bulb and discovered that the headlight wiring had melted. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was referred to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised that the headlight would need a replacement wiring harness assembly however, the part needed for repairs was on back order and not readily available. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 46,605 and the current mileage was 46,635. Updated 03/22/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the wiring for the exterior lights was melted. As a result, the lights would not function at night. In addition, the vehicle would not shift into third gear while driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the dealer diagnosed that a speed sensor was needed to repair the transmission and an exterior lighting assembly was needed to repair the wiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure and current mileages were 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Headlight bulb keeps blowing out and sometimes when changed comes on and off intermittently. Have changed bulbs numerous times but continues to happen. Bulbs seem extremely hot when they blow. We have had it rewired numerous times but looks like wires from harness are different gauges than replacements. This is dangerous because I never know when I will be without a headlight. They are dim and even when replaced by silverstar ultra, they remain dimmer than most vehicles. I know this because I can see their headlights more than mine when they are behind me. I cannot see the road hardly at all when driving with one headlight.
Passenger side low beam headlight suffers from intermittent operation even after replacing the headlight bulb with a new bulb. When it does work, the headlight only illuminates on the auto setting. It does not work at all if I try to manually turn on the headlights. I cannot find a record of a recall for this issue on my specific vehicle based on a VIN number search, but there has been a recall for lighting issues on other Outlook models. As of 10/29/2017, the passenger side low beam headlight has stopped working altogether. This has been a problem for approximately 60 days
Low beam headlights continue to go out after replacing with new ones. Has happened parked once but usually occures accelerating after being stopped or after driving distances more than 30 miles. This started back in early 2014 and has continually gotten more and more frequent. Other various electrical problems keep occuring such as lights dimming while driving (interior dash) and climate control setting changing to what I can presume are default settings (74 deg for both driver and passenger side turning on)
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that upon inspection, he noticed that the passenger front head lamp was inoperative. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a technician concluded that wiring harness had melted and caused the bulb to fail. He then added that the other head lamp would soon fail. The vehicle was repaired at an expense of$ 360.00. The failure mileage was 41,000. The current mileage was 42,000. Updated 10/27/09. Updated 10/29/09.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact entered the vehicle and was unable to activate the low beam headlights. The high beam headlights would function but not the low beams. The contact attempted to replace the low beam head light bulbs herself and noticed that each wiring harness was melted. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where the wiring harnesses were being repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Headlamp Illumination
As of July 16, 2014, out of a population of 248,453 subject vehicles, NHTSA received 473 consumer complaints of inoperative head lamp. Many of these complaints indicated that the head lamp harness suffered damage from overheating. After reviewing the complaints, ODI found: -69% (328) alleged that a single head lamp was inoperative. -18% (86) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but not at the same time.
Headlight complaints in other Outlook years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA has 247 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 39% of the model year's 633 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Outlook headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 13 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.