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2008 Saturn Outlook transmission problems

127 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
127
of this car's complaints
20%
typical mileage
80,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    7
  • Clutch assembly
    1

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 transmission problems in other years

200720082009

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Saturn Outlook transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 27Won't shift 21Jerking 20Slipping 16Hesitation 9Harsh shifting 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2008 Saturn Outlook owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 30, 2024 · Transmission · PA

Transmission is failing. Reverse is slipping. Low torque trying back up inclines. Known problem with 2008 Acadia, Enclave, Traverse & Outlook per transmission shop who test drove and scanned. No code via dashboard, but scan tools and professional diagnostics verify failure. Techem has been replaced in February 2019, by GM service @ owners expense when forward drive failed.

Filed Oct 3, 2023 · Transmission · OH

This has been a big problem for all Saturn owners. The transmissions are always going out in them. This transmission is starting to slip. I’m surprised there is no recalls. Very disappointed.

Filed Mar 13, 2020 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn outlook. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked transmission fluid. There was no warning. The vehicle was taken to all star chevrolet located at (9352 plank rd, baton rouge, la 70811) where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Jul 4, 2019 · Transmission · 67,430 miles · NY

Please first refer to this known issue: the federal safety agency id number: 10126145 manufacturer communication number: gcus-9-2635 14404b ' special coverage.bulletin. This was an offer from gm to repair this known defect if it occured either before 120k miles or 10 years. My wife's 2008 saturn outlook is used for kid transportation and local trips mostly so she never puts on that much mileage. This vehicle went into service in or around 10/2008. On or around march 1, 2019 her outlook began to experience issues consistent with this gm tsb, failure of the 35r wave plate, a know issue documented by gm.the thing would jerk and shake in reverse, would either fail to shift into 3rd or 5th or if it did, whine and show no acceleration in the least. It happened about 10 times, on local roads and on the highway, very dangerous. I took the vehicle in to our local chevy dealer and was told that the transmission was shot, only 67k miles and it needed to be replaced. I asked the service writer about having the transmission repaired rather than replaced. He really recommended a factory rebuilt unit. We were literally 120 days, 4 months outside of the warranty coverage period on this issue. Saturn/gm would not budge and told me that at some point I had to own the responsibility of the repair! Really? On a know issue that was outlined in the tsb as, "upon failure only" should I bring my vehicle in for repair. How is this fair? I have no idea what I expect from the federal safety agency, but to simply know that gm should have honored the repair or replacement, it was only four months past the cut off and it is a know issue. Thanks for listening, I do plan to file a small claims case and contact any and all consumer protection agencies about this matter. (xxxxx) redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Transmission · 203,700 miles · OH

I was on a 4 lane highway, and the vehicle acted as if it was in neutral all of a sudden, and slowed down while maintaining high rpms and would not go above 10 MPH. I had to pull to the side of the road before being hit by traffic behind me. The check engine light came on, and I took the vehicle to have it checked. A code was put out of it for the shift solenoid for gears 1-2 being 'stuck on'. After having the fluid changed as stated for a possible cause, everything returned to normal and the check engine light went off. Today, on 11/19/2018, I was on the interstate and experienced the same problem and had to attempt to make a safe exit. Through online research, and auto mechanics, this issue is happening a lot with these specific vehicles, as well as similar models from other makes and there has yet to be a recall. This is an extremely dangerous situation to be in.

Filed Oct 23, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 110,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden my 2008 saturn outlook just lost power. I pushed the gas pedal but nothing happened. As I was pulling over to the side of the road the power came back but the engine was reving very high and the check engine light came on. I managed to get almost home when the gear got stuck in 1st and the truck would not accelerate higher than 20 MPH. Luckily I was just about home. Once I arrived at my home I turned of the truck and turned it back on and it was fine. The mechanic could not figure out what it could have been but was guessing it may be a speed sensor in the transmission. Error codes: p0741 & p0700. I have also taken the truck into the chevy dealership for jerking around 30-35mph. The dealership was not able to fix the problem.

Filed Oct 10, 2018 · Transmission · 122,800 miles · IN

While driving the vehicle on public road the transmission failed in 3rd gear without warning while in motion and I was unable to get vehicle to safe place off of the public road without assistance. If this had happened on a freeway the result could have resulted in injury or death. Vehicle towed to repair center as it would not move under its own power. Repair center confirmed that partial forward gears were not operable as well as reverse gear. Issue was identified to be consistent with a known issue for this vehicle platform with 6 speed transmissions of a fractured wave plate. Repair center replaced the transmission and vehicle currently working fine for last 6000 miles. At the time of the transmission failure the vehicle had just over 122,000 miles on it and had been in service for about 10 years and 2 months

Filed Oct 7, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 160,000 miles · MN

Bought from sterling motors in watertown sd, in 2017. Trade in was 2000, plus 500 dollars cash, for a 2008 saturn outlook xr awd. Loan was for 10000 after the 2500 trade/payment. Had 160000 miles now has 180000. Within less of a week check engine light comes on, stabilitrac, service air bag, timing chain, traction control all came on. As of 2018 we have replaced all four tires, brakes. Struts, rotors, tie rods, battery, co2 sensor, thermostat, and a few other things. It still needs power steering pump, timing chain fix, cv joints replaced and who knows what else. I've complained to the dealer and he told me I can not trade back, and when we bought it he said it passed the suspection test and claimed nothing was wrong with it. He had to top of the power steering fluid as it was whining and low, said that it was because they flushed it. So now upon turning it has this weird rubbing vibration and loud sound, it shakes at all speeds, it loses power while driving stutters at low speeds, passenger window button don't work, loud noises when idling, whining noise from power steering either just from stationary or driving. It takes forever to pass someone as it almost stalls with the gas pedal all the way to the floor. It has a weird chemical smell when using heater. This saturn outlook is unreliable, very unsafe even after fixing what I had already fixed. I have an invoice for the repairs from watertown ford dealership in south dakota. Sterling motors will not help, said they could fix but I have to pay for parts and work. He sold me a lemon and he doesn't care about the safety or wellbeing of me, my children or others on the road. Talk to the loan place and all they said is I have an agreement to pay regardless if the car works or not. I'm currently 2 months behind. I can't afford another 700-3000 fix while paying 300 a month for a SUV that is unsafe to drive.

Filed Aug 5, 2018 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · CO

After pulling into my driveway and putting my car in park, I turned the car off and took the key out of ignition. As I took my foot off the brake, the car immediately began to roll backwards and I slammed on the brakes. I almost hit my son who had already exited the vehicle. I attempted to restart the car but it would not start. The car appeared to be in park but would roll back as soon as I took my foot off the brake. I could remove the key from the ignition. The door locks did not unlock automatically as they usually do. I engaged the emergency brake in order to keep the car from rolling. The shift cable needed replaced due to a fracture of the locking tabs. There has been a similar recall for different years and models see gm recall no. 12106

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · GA

In my saturn outlook. The transmission is faulty. Ive talked to many people who have experienced the same issues with saturn outlook. Also talk to service managers at a couple different gm dealerships. To which they have all said that the transmission is those vehicles are very bad designed and are not built to last. They have replaced a bunch of these transmissions. Problem : starting out on take off. The transmission will hesitate and jerk the car. Potentially putting you and others in a bad situation if there are other vehicles. And once you are going it will do the same thing. To me its a serious issue that gm shoupd address and fix.

Questions about the 2008 Saturn Outlook transmission

Does the 2008 Saturn Outlook have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 127 complaints about the transmission of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 20% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Outlook transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Saturn Outlook transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Saturn Outlook have bad transmission?

The Saturn Outlook model years with the most transmission complaints are 2007 (128 complaints), 2008 (127 complaints) and 2009 (19 complaints).

Other 2008 Saturn Outlook problems

Lights 247Electrical 164Airbags 97Engine 52Body 46Steering 45Visibility 36Driver assistance 21Acceleration 13Brakes 12Fuel system 8Seats 7Seat belts 6Suspension 3Tires 1Wheels 1

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