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.
2008 Saturn Outlook lights problems
247 complaints (39% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 247
- of this car's complaints
- 39%
- typical mileage
- 45,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Headlights13
- Headlights: concealment devices1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Saturn Outlook lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Saturn Outlook lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Headlamp Illumination
As of July 16, 2014, out of a population of 248,453 subject vehicles, the federal safety agency 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. -9% (41) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but the complaints did not indicate whether the failures had occurred at the same time. -4% (17) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative at the same time. -One additional complaint cited wire harness damage to both sides but did not specify an outage -No crashes or loss of vehicle control were reported. -Any alleged thermal damages were limited to melting of the head lamp harness and the head lamp housing. -A head lamp would intermittently fail to come on or flickers before becoming completely inoperative. For the seventeen complaints that alleged simultaneous failure of both head lamps while attempting to turn them on or while driving, the head lamp failures likely had occurred one at a time. The subject vehicle's head lamps are connected in a parallel circuit and each circuit is fused. Therefore, failure of one head lamp or its harness should not affect the other head lamp operation. Over the last 25 years, ODI has opened numerous defect investigations of the loss of headlamp illumination.Investigations that resulted in safety recalls involved simultaneous loss of illumination from both headlamps. the federal safety agency does not consider the loss of a single headlamp as presenting an unreasonable safety risk-such failures are readily detectable by the driver while allowing the vehicle to retain forward visibility and conspicuity from the remaining headlamp.There is typically enough time between the failure of the first headlamp and the second during which the vehicle operator can obtain the needed repairs. Based on the information currently available, the federal safety agency does not believe that the headlamp condition as alleged by the petitioner indicates the likelihood of a safety-related defect that would warrant a formal investigation.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.Further specifics can be found in the Federal Register Notice ODI complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
DP12003
What 2008 Saturn Outlook owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When it rains water is leaking into the vehicle & throughout the 2 years I've owned it the rain has leaked in multiple locations despite having it fixed & causes the wiring, lighting & detrimental/safety sensors & electrical parts to be damaged. I became especially worried when I learned a friend with a 2008 gmc acadia (identical vehicle to saturn outlook) is having the exact same water issues. Within a month or 2 of having the leaking and damaged fixed new sensors get wet & issues arise due to leaking in new/different locations. I first noticed it leaking in the front by the windows & sunroof & causing the radio speakers to quit. Within a short while after fixing it the headlights, tail lights & air conditioning then started cutting out & not working. Once again I had the issue fixed but now it is leaking in the dash where water can be heard sloshing around when turning & occasionally leaks into the front floor board. Now the 'stabilitrak' & traction control are all having issues as well as transmission sensors making my car undrivable and unable to shift from second gear until the car sits in the sun or dries out for a few days. The speakers are also not working making the back up cam, and even the warning dash lights have no sound. ** as mentioned before there are many online forums that talk about this leaking issue in both the saturn outlook & gmc acadia's. It is very worrisome that things will seem to work & suddenly stop working due to water log damage & when driving at night & headlights/tail lights flicker or quit it is very scary & dangerous. The serious issues with sensors (transmission sensors & stability) just began on my car recently & since I've had this issue fixed so many times it needs to be investigated further before someone gets hurt.
Water started dripping down into the glovebox, every time it rains it gets soaking wet and there's some problems with the electrical panel.
Drivers side low beam headlight wiring harness and plug have melted and I have had replaced and it happens again. The air bag warning light keeps coming on, saying service airbags now. All the speakers in the car have quit working, but if you open and close drivers side rear door they will work until you hit a bump in the road.
Right headlight doesn't work. Mechanic went to replace a part and the whole harness was melted.
[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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.
I have replace light bulbs in the headlights and it will work to seconds than go out again I don't what the issue is I bought the 6 difference bulbs it's still not working
The daytime running lights have stopped working. My wife normally drives this vehicle and told me about it this week. I understand the headlight wiring harness are too small and need to changed out to a bigger gauge wire.
"takata recall" front headlight wiring harness has melted at the plug on the passenger side low beam. Done research and it is to small of a wiring harness. I have changed this headlight 2 times prior to the harness melting.
Questions about the 2008 Saturn Outlook lights
Does the 2008 Saturn Outlook have lights problems?
Owners have filed 247 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 39% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Outlook lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Saturn Outlook lights?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Saturn Outlook have the most lights problems?
The Saturn Outlook model years with the most lights complaints are 2008 (247 complaints), 2007 (154 complaints) and 2009 (75 complaints).
Other 2008 Saturn Outlook problems
Electrical 164Transmission 127Airbags 97Engine 52Body 46Steering 45Visibility 36Driver assistance 21Acceleration 13Brakes 12Fuel system 8Seats 7Seat belts 6Suspension 3Tires 1Wheels 1
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