2008 Saturn Outlook: harsh or hard shifting

7 of the 633 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Outlook describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 58,800
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 55 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2009
1
2008
7
2007
3

What owners say

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · MI

Transmission failure due to fractured wave plate 3/5. The 6t70/75 6-speed automatic transmission may experience no reverse and slip/flare/harsh shifts in 3rd and/or 5th gear. Codes p0776 clutch pressure control (pc) solenoid 2 stuck off and p0842 transmission fluid pressure (tfp) switch 1 circuit low voltage may be set. The 35r clutch wave plate may be broken, allowing the piston to overstroke, causing the piston to leak and resulting in loss of apply on vehicles with greater than 25,000 miles. During the repair process it is important to install the wave plate in the proper orientation to prevent the possibility for the failure to re-occur. Install the rounded edge of the new wave plate internal splines facing the 35r piston. Note: the same tsb applies to 2007-2009 gmc acadia, 2007-2009 pontiac g5, 2008-2009 pontiac torrent, 2008-2009 buick enclave, 2008-2009 chevrolet equinox and malibu, and 2009 chevrolet traverse, equipped with the 6t70/75 6-speed automatic transmission (rpo mh2, mh4, mh6 and my9).

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · VA

The car was moving at approximately 55mph on rt168 chesapeake expressway and would not accelerate which almost resulted in a rear-end collision. Over the next few days we experienced hard shifts going into 3rd gear and 5th gear. On 6/25/2014, the car would not shift into reverse, so we took the car to the priority chevy. We were told the transmission was destroyed, and a new one would need to be installed. I researched the issue, and found many other drivers reporting the same issue. I also contacted a national transmission chain, and they also reported seeing an increased number of transmission issues with saturn outlooks, some of which almost resulted in crashes due to the hard shifting.

Filed Jun 12, 2013 · Transmission · 58,800 miles · AZ

Saturn 2008 outlook started to have problems when shifting gears. Feels like going into 3rd gear is the problem and sometimes in reverse. Sounds like a rev of the engine and then a hard shift into the gear. There have been many posts online about this and unfortunately gm is not consistent with how they resolve. This sounds like it should be a courtesy fix or recall.

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 55,000 miles · CO

Delayed shifting when pressing down accelerator to increase speed to change lanes while on freeway. Took car in for service and was told transmission wave plate was inoperative.

Filed Dec 16, 2012 · Transmission · 79,796 miles · FL

My wife and I own a 2008 saturn outlook xr with just a hair under 80k miles on it and within the last week or so we have started having some weird transmission issues related to shifting between gears. From 1st to 2nd gear the transmission seems to ?slip? Momentarily causing the engine to rev mid shift. It also seems to ?clunk? Very hard between 5th and 6th (overdrive). Occasionally, between other gears it seems to shift roughly, too. I have double checked the transmission fluid levels which are within tolerances, but seem to smell hot to me. One other thing I have noticed, is that when braking or putting the car in park, the transmission doesn't seem to fully disengage properly as noticed by the engine seemingly ?lurching?. We are the second owners of this vehicle having only had it roughly two years. We have already had to replace the water pump under warranty, and have had it repaired under recall for various issues at least twice.

Filed Nov 25, 2012 · Transmission · 34,774 miles · NJ

8/17/2011 - j0511 head,cylinder left bank replaced as there was excessive play in camshafts r & r motor assy replace bank 2 cylinder head and new timing chain re-installed. 01/11/2012 - 3-5 reverse clutch plate replaced transmission slipping into 3rd gear,transmission rebuilt. 02/20/2012 leak was found in front transmission connector area, seal was replaced & rechecked. On 12/01/2012 truck going back into shop for transmission leak again and clunking noise. Gm needs to resolve this problem with the transmission, they need to stand behind their product and go ahead and resolve this issue immediately.

Filed Apr 3, 2009 · Steering · 17,455 miles · AL

Saturn 2008 outlook steering issues. Loud thumping/clunking/grinding noise heard when making a turn. Had it at the dealer 3 times now, they can't duplicate the issues so nothing has been done to repair. When this happens the car skips when trying to turn, I never know when this is going to happen, but it is scary when it does. I am waiting for it not to make the turn and the result being an accident and injuries. From what I have read online, there are a lot of issues with the steering and in most cases the car being returned after multiple trips to dealership without repair and stating the problem can not be duplicated. My dealership has suggested we open a case with gm. Last time of steering issue was 3/21/09, just got car back today with no repair.