Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving and my car started to lurch and went into reduced power mode. I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. It was towed into the shop, and we found that the timing chain had broken. We had just had our engine mounts replaced and the oil changed. The vehicle has been well maintained. I have seen the issue with the timing chain failure is a common problem in Saturns/GM from internet research. It looks like there was a service bulletin to bring the car in if Service light comes on and you "think" it's due to premature wear of timing chain. Now we are told the engine needs to be replaced because it was damaged by the timing chain failure and it seems like a known defect that should be covered because it exceeded the value of the car to have such a fix.
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the timing belt had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under GM Campaign Number: 10287C since the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
The factory installed sunroof leaks rainwater into the interior of the car. It has affected airbags, sensors, electrical systems and power systems. If the car gets wet, the water travels to the electrical system to circuit boards and discharges the battery. The vehicle will die in traffic if water travels to the circuit board during driving. Airbags have evidence of water traveling through their assembly. Floor and seats are wet after rain, sprinkler, car wash, morning dew. Doesn't seems to be dependent on amount of water received. Battery tests fine on full charge. Alternator functioning correctly. Problem is directly related to sunroof leakage. Sunroof seal is not yet under recall. Yesterday, after a day of rain, the car had to be charged to drive to work. Drove 20 miles with no apparent power issues, but airbag sensors sent alert through the dash that airbags needed servicing. …
Issues with the 2007 Saturn Outlook include ongoing electrical issues (lights intermittent functioning, stabilitrack, traction control and ABS lights on intermittently, remote start doesn't work, power lift gate opens on it's own, lift gate switch failed internally), air intake filled with oil and water mix, water under fuel induction service, intermittently the stabilitrack will turn off, message saying 'engine power reduced', car shakes, no power and requires coasting to side of road. (this particular issue is temporarily addressed by turning the car off, removing the keys, opening the door, waiting five minutes. Then the car starts but check engine light remains on.) required new throttle body, replacing struts, sway bar link, shot and/or strut assembly. Rack and pinion, tie rods needed to be replaced. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Outlook years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (52), 2007 (31) and 2009 (21) model years. Engine complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Saturn Outlook engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Saturn Outlook model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saturn Outlook engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (3 mentions).
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.