2007 Saturn Outlook: steering wheel locks up

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Steering · NV

2007 saturn outlook. Consumer states vehicle steering wheel locked up while driving. *tgw the consumer stated as her husband steered to make a right turn, the steering wheel locked up. He applied extreme pressure to the steering wheel, and the steering wheel broke free. The consumers husband pulled over and turned off the vehicle, and checked the power steering fluid and all appeared fine. The consumer continued to drive. However, by the time they arrived home. It felt as though the vehicle didn't have any power steering and the steering pump began to growl. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined, the power steering rack was leaking and the pump failed due to oil loss.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn outlook. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the key failed to release from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician replaced the steering column but the failure persisted. Also, the contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Steering · 93,000 miles · PA

My 18 year old daughter was returning home when she noticed the steering became very hard to use. She made it home safely. I took the car out to see what was going on and when I backed up the driveway I couldn't turn the wheel without great effort. And it got worse, it just locked up. I was advised that it needed power steering fluid or a new power steering pump. I drove it to nearest mechanic, steering locked up on turns, had to pull over several times, and turn the car off. The mechanic is within 3 miles, nearest gm dealer is 40 minutes away. He replaced pump and fluid, cleaned it as recommended. He took it for a test drive and the steering failed again, almost causing an accident. He was very upset. I am contacting gm. This problem has been documented by other 2007 saturn outlook owners on this site. This is a very dangerous issue and I can't believe it has not been addressed. Does someone have to die before it is? I have an unsafe and un drivable vehicle.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · FL

Passenger side headlight intermittently turns on and off at will. Duration > a year; not driven alot at night. Concerned about melted wiring also. Prior to this, steering locked up when going through puddles. Made an extremely loud screeching noise. Dealer serviced problem in warranty but did not completely correct it.

Filed Jan 2, 2011 · Steering · 56,000 miles · GA

While attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel locked up for a few seconds. I had no control over the vehicle. This has happened several times and it has always been in wet, rainy weather. It appears that water is splashing on the belts which causes a temporary loss of steering. While researching the problem, I've come across several other owners who have had the same issue. Gm has not offered a solution, since my dealership cannot 'replicate the problem' while the car is in service. If nothing is done about this design flaw, the result would be a serious crash and death.

Filed Sep 10, 2010 · Steering · 51,500 miles · VA

1. Was driving on i95 in maryland. Speed about 65 MPH. 2. Loss of power steering (steering wheel locks up and you are unable to direct steering). Before august 18, 2010 the failure happened two other times but were at lower speeds. The last incident which happened on august 18, 2010 was on a highway and I almost side swiped a tractor trailer because I had no control over my vehicle for about a minute. I was lucky to avoid a serious accident to myself and others. 3. I put in a call to saturn customer service. They made an appointment for me ad dudley martin chevrolet in manassas, va to check the car out. After car was inspected I was told that when ever it rains, water gets onto steering belts which causes the loss of power steering. They advised having fender guards installed which is over $300 which I do not have. I asked saturn/gm to add guards at my their cost since it was a safety issue. Saturn/gm told me that they agree it is a safety issue but they are not willing to pay to fix the car. I have seen other reports online of this problem and feel that there should be a recall before someone gets really hurt. I know it was a very scary situation for me.

Filed Jul 5, 2010 · Steering · 44,000 miles · GA

Power steering locks up when water splashes onto fan belt on 2007 saturn outlook. Happens on wet roads. On incident date, vehicle would not maintain lane during right hand turn onto two lane road from a full stop. Vehicle ended up in on-coming traffic lane before steering returned. This after the new designed inner fender skirts were installed as the permanent "fix". New parts installed by dealer now servicing saturns in augusta georgia. Master mechanic said that this "fix" has only worked on 50% of his repairs. He checked out the repairs, stated they were installed correctly and that there is nothing else suggested at this time. This is a safety issue that gm must fully resolve. This is the fourth time this has happened, and the first since installation of new inner fender skirts installed in january 2010. Up until then there was no repair available. Now this repair does not fix the problem.

Filed Jan 24, 2010 · Steering · 41,000 miles · MN

The failure was the power steering pump on a 2007 saturn outlook, 3.6l engine. The first sign of failure occurred while taking a curve at 45 MPH. The steering froze then freedup and froze again several times in just a few seconds causing me to nearly loose control of the vehicle. The vehicle went from the ditch to over the centerline before I was able to pull over. After this incident the steering made continuous noise and failed to work properly. It was impossible to steer at low speeds without revving the engine. Because of the danger of driving the vehicle I had to pay over $500.00 for the repair. I have heard of many many more power steering pump failures on the 3.6l engine. Please look into this before someone gets hurt or killed. Even after the repair the steering does not seem right. I am keeping my receipts because I feel this will end up a recall issue due to safety concerns. This vehicle had 41,000 miles on it (90% highway). The pump was returned for a $50.00 core charge.

Filed Sep 22, 2009 · Steering · 39,073 miles · GA

My outlook is at approximately 40,000miles. At about 30,000 there started to be a very noticeable whine in the steering column, especially upon turning. Several times I noticed the steering kind of turning rough with a sharp turn, as in backing out of a parking space. Two weeks ago after going through standing water in the roadway, I began to turn left onto a side street and the steering wheel locked up-not a loss of power steering, there was no way to turn the wheel. I took the car to the service shop that afternoon. Upon describing my issue to the service rep, he stated that he had only ever had one vehicle in with that complaint and that what had occurred was that they drove through water, splashing it onto the power steering belt (which was worn) causing it to slip. After dropping the car off I did some research on my own and found multiple unresolved complaints exactly like mine posted online. When I picked the car up, they charged me $45 and said that I had somehow gotten air in my power steering fluid. My car has done this twice since then. Once very briefly while leaving a parking spot and again last night in the middle of a downpour. I bought this vehicle because I have 4 kids and I liked the safety features of the airbag system-but this scares me to death!! I am to the point of being afraid to drive in the rain. I want to take it back for more service, but based on what I'm reading, no one is getting any resolution.