2007 Saturn Outlook: complete transmission failure

Filed May 31, 2018 · Body, Transmission · 130,000 miles · MA

My transmission died in 2012 had put another transmission. Sitting in 2018 I need another transmission why can't they fix this problem. It's doesn't go above 10mph as I was driving also the roof leaks and car takes on water could cause a fire if you look online these are the 2 major complaints of this vehicle.

Filed Sep 4, 2015 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · NC

Transmission took a while to engage into 2nd gear. When in first gear, you can hear the transmission making a distinct sound. Sounds like a whinny noise, as it was struggling to get into 2nd gear. I noticed this sound when stopped at a traffic light and the light turned green. As I began to accelerate, I noticed the vehicle was having a tough time getting out of 1st gear. This is the second issue with the transmission in 22 months. Back in november of 2013, I had the wav plate replaced at a cost of $2,600.00. The dealership now is telling me I need a whole new transmission at a cost of $4,000.00. Gm did reimburse me for my first transmission issue, but without a reimbursement, I would be looking at spending nearly $6,600.00 over the course of 22 months for transmission-related issues. No reasonable person would expect to pay that much money in such short of a time period for (2) separate, transmission related issues.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · 122,000 miles · GA

Since feb., the engine light on my saturn has been coming on/going off. Since then is no longer under warranty, took it to a local mechanic who read the obd code as p0017 and cleared the code. We were told to replace the gas cap--we bought a new one--engine light back on/back off. I began googling this and found there were many saturn owners with this issue. Finally, just this past week, I learned that gm had indeed issued a service bulletin about this--affecting the timing, which is another issue I was told could be the problem. Then, since gm had had so many complaints, they extended the warranty/fix, however, they only extended it to 120k miles/10 years, whichever occurs first. My car is not 10 years, but, it does have over the mileage. My question is who decides these magic numbers??? This saturn has been a lemon to say the very least! Major flooding inside the car---we repaired it with no help from gm; thermostat failed--we repaired it with no help from gm; transmission failed--we replaced it with no help from gm; etc.; etc. You do not receive these service bulletins (only recalls), then once you realize you have an issue and take it in, your beyond the mileage. We purchased this saturn due to so many friends who owned one and swore by it!! This, and the fact that in our 45+ year marriage, we've only owned gm products. But, no more!!! This cured us!!

Filed Jul 14, 2015 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · IL

Transmission failed, was rebuilt, failed again and rebuilt again. It has now failed a 3rd time. A 'service' bulletin was issued - but only to 120k miles or 10 years. My vehicle was 10k over the 120k but still within the 10 year. Saturn refuses to make the product right. Searching the internet is full of the same complaint at various stages. The vehicle has a faulty transmission - and should be replaced. Just because I drive miles, I am being penalized and stuck with a faulty product. My car has been dealer maintained since I purchased it new in nov 2007. Please help saturn owners that purchase a vehicle in good faith that it will work. We need transmissions replaced for our cars.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Transmission · 52,834 miles · PA

Driving home from the store when entering a dangerous intersection my transmission gave out. Luckily I had enough speed to make it through the intersection and was able to drive home. Upon taking my vehicle to two different repair shops, I was told I would need a new transmission. The wave plate shattered and pieces were now in my transmission. I called gm to get some financial assistance since my vehicle had such low mileage. I was told there was no recall. After speaking to the owner of the transmission shop and doing some online investigating, it appears that I am not the only one who had a problem with the wave plate in their saturn outlook or gm acadia. I feel the wave plate is defective and that a recall should be put in place so no one else gets hurt from their transmission giving out on them.

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · MA

Our 2007 saturn outlook broke down with the dreaded wave plate transmission failure. Symptom was that the transmission shifted into neutral on its own around 30-35 MPH and would not continue. We tried several times to restart. Each time the transmission held up until 30-35 MPH then shifted into neutral and stopped. We had the outlook towed to fna transmission in wakefield, ma who confirmed that the wave plate failed and shredded the rest of the transmission...nothing could be saved. While I am happy no one was hurt, a transmission should last more than 104k miles, which is of course out of warranty period. The repair cost $3000. Why is there no recall on this known issue? We had planned to trade this outlook in for a newer traverse, but now I am not confident in the product. Gm, please fess up to this problem. Thank you

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 63,000 miles · CA

April 2012 was the first transmission failure incident. Under warranty at this point 63000 miles. Check engine light comes on transmission not shifting properly, pressure plates had disintegrated in transmission metal in transmission fluid. Gmc honored warranty and took care of problem. 22000 miles later, 2 years pass, check engine light comes on and transmission not shifting changing gears properly. Car was used for 20 minute round trip commute to work, local shopping. Occasionally a 4 hour round trip recreational get away. No towing or hauling. Less than average driving. Took vehicle to my mechanic, informed that transmission codes 0752, 0700. My mechanic refers me to a transmission specialty shop, as he didn't have the ability to perform necessary repairs diagnostics. At the transmission specialty shop, scan code 0989 transmission fluid pressure switch, shift solenoids stuck on. Advised we need a new tranny, as he also found metal particles in transmission fluid. Advised 4 thousand dollars is what it would cost to replace transmission. Here we go again same problem that gm fixed 2 years ago 22000 miles ago. The dealer who originally did repairs 2 years ago said out of warranty now you have to pay out of pocket. Called gm head quarters. They had car picked up by tow truck from tranny specialist shop, and towed 30 miles away to chase chevrolet 30 minutes away. They have had my car almost 2 weeks now. They finally call me day number 12 to tell me they found code 0989 and would have to replace the transmission control module, at a cost of 800 dollars to me and gm would pick up the other 400 dollars, a 1200 dollar repair. I asked about the metal in the transmission fluid, service guy tells me if I want them to check on that issue, as reported by tranny specialist it would cost me and additional 24 hundred dollars to tear engine apart!

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Transmission · 101,096 miles · MI

Hello I have the 2007 outlook that has experienced the notorious transmission failure. My car was taken back to the dealership soon after I purchased it with 40,000 miles and told them the car would roll back while on a hill in gear. They said it was inherent with this transmission and sent me on my way. As dangerous as this was to send a customer away with a car that rolls backwards. Today the transmission failed without notice. I backed out of a parking spot in the lowes parking lot and the car shuttered violently. I made it to the corner about a half mile away before the car simply would not move. I had it towed to lunghamer gmc at 5825 highland road in waterford michigan. I pulled the engine code myself and had p2723, p0700 I am finding everywhere on the web through hundreds of forums that this transmission is a real issue due to the defective china made wave plate. This is a defective part that implodes internally then takes out the entire transmission. This is an expensive $4000.00 repair , replacement. This should be a recall because gm has known about this failure early on.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · LA

The transmission failed and almost caused me to get in a wreck on the interstate.

Filed May 16, 2014 · Transmission · 141,796 miles · MN

My vehicle transmission has had problems since I purchased my vehicle with 36k miles. The vehicle transmission has made grinding noises, been stuck in both forward and reverse gears, and had been serviced four times for various conditions. I do not haul trailers with my outlook. It is a family passenger car. 6 months ago I had a rebuilt transaxle put in at my expense, thinking this would remedy any ongoing transmission problems. Unfortunately, this new transmission has begun to slip when engaged from park to reverse. I have 155k on my saturn, but only 10k on this new transaxle. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. I will not be looking to replace this vehicle with a gm. Their lack of acknowledgement of the existence of any problems with the saturn/acadia/traverse transmission has cost them several sales. I have gone out of my way to warn my friends that they should think twice before considering the purchase of one of these gm SUV models.

Filed Jan 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 74,000 miles · TX

Transmission failure! I was trying to park, the reverse control didn't work properly, check engine came on. After few hours parked, I went back home, the speed wasn't working (RPM 3 and 4 speed 35) and the light was still on. I got home, a mechanic came over to check it, he said it was the transmission. I took it to gmc, they worked the recalls (?? I don't know still what recalls they work on it), and told me it is the transmission. I have to pay $4,500 if I want a new one, $200 less if I want an used one or rebuild. Since it is more that 5 years old, no warranty on in. I still owe $11000 on this vehicle.

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Transmission · CO

The vehicle suffered transmission problems. Dealer diagnosed the well-known wave plate breakage issue. This problem has been we-documented for years in vehicles with this transmission, and gm has issued various technical bulletins regarding the problem. Why is there no recall for this dangerous problem? Transmission failure can occur at any time, even while driving.