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 2009 Saturn Outlook owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the headlights continued to blow out and the passenger side headlight was inoperable. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. A private mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the wires in the headlight melted and the entire headlight capsule needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side headlight was not working. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic. The light was replaced on various occasions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
My headlights keep going out randomly and this very unsafe as I am a single mother of 2 young children! I have had it fixed 4 times! The last time I took it to the shop, I was told the wiring harness keeps melting. I researched this problem and many others are also having experiencing this issue.
The low beam headlights burn out approximately every 3-4 months. It appears that there is melting of the lighting electric harness. When the headlights go out, the road is not illuminated as much making it a safety hazard.
The low-beam headlights in my 2009 Saturn Outlook have a severe safety issue -- they are failing regularly now, wish poses a major issue when it occurs at night. I purchased the car used from a local dealer in November 2009, and while I was test driving it, the right low-beam bulb burned out. To my knowledge, this was the original bulb and it was to be expected that it would need to be replaced after 35000 miles. However, in early February 2010, the same bulb went out again, this time simultaneous to the left low-beam bulb burning out (the expected burn-out of the original bulb), leaving me with no headlights at night. The dealer informed me that the harness for the right bulb had melted and would have to be replaced along with the bulb. They performed the service free-of-charge. Now, less than two weeks later, the right headlight is out again, and I am taking it in for repair. …
Driver side low beam light headlight does not work all the time on my 2009 Saturn Outlook that I just purchased on April 5th, 2011. After researching the problem and trying to fix the issue myself, found that there have many numerous reports of the wiring harness being wrong wire gauge that GM placed on this vehicle. It is very difficult to change the bulbs, having to remove front bumper and/or the undercover of the driver side fender well. Does not make sense to have to do all this just to replace a headlight, plus, why would GM put incorrect wiring harness on this extremely nice vehicle...recall should/must be issued immediately very dangerous not have driver side headlight work when it wants to and it happens very very frequently, have to knock on the light assembly and sometimes it comes on, most of the time it stays off...I have purchase replacement bulbs but looking like its the …
The headlight wiring harness melts in these vehicles causing the light to fail, this is well documented on the internet on various forums. Early this morning my wife was pulled over by a police officer for having one working headlight, I attempted to replace the bulb and it still does not work, information on the internet lead me to discover melted wires on the light fixture, this is a huge safety problem with this vehicle. There is also a well documented problem with the front end suspension, it fails prematurely and my Outlook is also having this problem. It also has power steering failure, the air conditioning system is failing, along with all the other safety systems that need recalled on this piece of GM junk pile. …
The headlight keeps flashing on and off. When starting the vehicle, one headlight does not come on until ~5 minutes later. The bulb is OK. The wiring harness is not OK. I've talked to many other owners of the Saturn Outlook and they have had the same instances. The root cause is a bad wiring harness. They are overheating and melting! My Outlook is now out of warranty and the dealer wants to charge me to replace the wiring harness. I've had the vehicle into the dealership when it was still under warranty for this issue. It is still not fixed. I am not paying for a poorly executed design issue. The engineers need to research more before they place a product in a vehicle of which can not withstand the conditions. Thank you.
The wiring in the headlight of the vehicle was completely fried. The headlight went out. I received a warning ticket from the police the same day the headlight went out. The headlight is not covered under any warranty even though it was the wiring that caused the headlight to fail. I have been told by the dealership that it will cost me around $700 for labor and parts to replace the headlight on a vehicle that is only 2 years old. The light went out because of an issue with the wiring. I have read online of many others that have the same issue. I think this needs to be recalled and that I should be reimbursed for any monies I am out of pocket for having to fix the headlight due to a manufacture wiring problem!
Driver side low beam headlight went out . Replaced headlight but it did not fix the problem. Found an existing TSB that this could be a shorted wiring harness. Took it to the dealer and it was a shorted wiring harness. They replaced it and all worked fine. My complaint is that GM knows this is a problem and does not fix it. If it had been out of warranty, I would have had to pay for the repair. This type of problem could have caused a fire, # 1 safety problem. #2 safety problem is that now I was without a headlight and had to get it to a dealer to get it back. Not all of us live close to dealers, we are 50 miles from the nearest.
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 2009 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the lights of the 2009 Saturn Outlook, 39% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Saturn Outlook headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2009 Saturn Outlook, though it has 7 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 2009 Saturn Outlook headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 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.