2008 Saturn Outlook: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 5, 2019 · PA

In 2015 I my transmission malfunction. I took it to the gmc dealership, which I came out of pocket expense of $1500.00 due to the expiration of my warranty. Then a year later, I received a notice regarding repairing the transmission and I was given a refund (replacement has been already done). Now as of december, 2018, I have been experiencing the same issue with my transmission. I called gmc regarding my transmission again, as was told that the warranty of the last repair has expired june, 2018. With so much frustration, I took my vehicle to the gmc to be certain that this is the issue I am dealing with. Gmc advised me the report of my transmission (the tcc converter) in the transmission is bad. They advised me to get a new transmission for the cost of $4k which is way out of my range. I ask. If there is any assistance to help me make this repair on my vehicle and was told no. This leaves me in a position of frustration with gmc where as they did not want to extend any help. This is why I write this complaint to investigate if others maybe experiencing the same and a recall can be put into place for repairs for the transmission.

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 Nov 22, 2016 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · IL

3-5-r waveplate in transmission is known defective. Transmission first went out at ~4 years old and 50,000 miles leaving us stranded. About 1 year later TCM (valve body) in transmission failed (likely debris from waveplate failure). Forcing you to pull over and turn car and off hope it would begin shifting again. Fortunately, made it to dealer under its own power for that one. Gm did not cover this, $1000 out of my pocket. 8 years old and 99,000 miles waveplate out again stranding us on highway... Again. 2 weeks later the transmission went out again, this time shaft that holds gears was scarred up (likely debris from waveplate failures) stranded again and $3200 to fix with some help from gm. 2008 to 2013 acadia, outlooks, traverse, enclave all having this issue stranding people on roads.

Filed Mar 11, 2016 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · WI

Transmission problems. 35r wave plate known to be defective (causing complete transmission failure) in outlook, acadia, enclave, vue, etc. Thousands and thousands of customers having this issue.

Filed Feb 23, 2016 · Transmission · 82,770 miles · MI

Second transmission failure, loss of power and failure to upshift while accelerating in heavy traffic. Had to pull into center lane to avoid interfering with traffic nearly causing collision with oncoming traffic preparing to turn. Was notified by dealership that it is a transmission problem. Awaiting estimate for repairs. First transmission failure at 42k miles second failure at 86k miles. Other vehicles of this type had extended warranty for this type problem but for some reason, this vehicle was not included

Filed Mar 26, 2015 · Acceleration · 70,455 miles · MI

When stopped for a traffic light and light changed to green the car would not move (when foot put on the accelerator). After turning the car off and back on and put the car in drive, the car proceeded forward. Upon stopping the car again, and then pressing the accelerator the car would not move again. We had the car towed to the dealer, and they said they had to replace the transmission (for a cost of $5,019.05). There are many complaints on the internet about this particular transmission. I am not the only one.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 65,533 miles · MI

Jan 2014 had problems with stabilitrac / traction control and transmission entering expressway. The stabilitrac / traction control service soon light came on and then the car began shifting hard as we began to enter traffic, the car then started to lose power we got off the expressway in fear of being hit and went to the dealer were they found nothing wrong. The car continued to do this on and off for some time for the next few months. In june 2014 coming home from a soccer game I my wife our son and another player had this happen again while traveling 70mph on the us23 expressway, stabilitrac / traction control service light came on transmission started shifting hard and then the transmission lost the ability to engage, the car began to slow almost getting hit. (thank god we made it to a safe place) we replaced the transmission because of broken wave plates within the transmission. On 3/7/15 took car in again for stabiltrac / traction control same thing again is happening dealer found nothing wrong told us to bring back when lights are on. 3/14/15 lights came on again took in dealer was unable to find anything wrong. Service adviser there was no danger driving the car but that I might after time begin to loss power and may not be able to travel over 20mph. I explained the history to him his advice was to avoid the expressways. My fear is to die in this car when merging into expressway traffic. After reviewing many complaints about the transmission and traction control / stabilitrac on the internet about the following cars saturn outlook, gmc acadia, chevy traverse and buick enclave I hope that gm can come up with a fix before anyone has to die!

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · TX

Transmission failure transmission would not go into reverse, drive, and was shifting hard. Upon further research found numerous like failures for saturn outlook, gmc acadia. Big safety issue. I was fortunate it didn't happen while I was driving. Please review failure rates and propose gm recall transmissions for failures.

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 85,000 miles · NJ

Approximately april of 2014 we had the first incident: while driving on the highway, at speed, the transmission seemed to "pop" into neutral (no change of gearshift lever, just engine revved). As the truck no longer had power, we managed (thank goodness) to get the truck to the shoulder avoiding highway traffic. Moved gearshift lever to park and then back to drive with no change - engine just revved as in neutral. Turned the truck off and called for a tow. While waiting for same, we turned the truck back on, and transmission seemed to function normally. Brought the truck to both wind gap chevrolet (place of purchase) as well as an independent aamco - verdict was the same: broken "wave plate" and a new transmission was needed at a cost of over $3000.00. Problem continues to this date. When we referenced the endless online complaints of same, gm was unmoved, although the power train warranty was still in effect. Very dangerous - lose power at highway speed with multiple close calls!!!! Headlights: headlights, both low and high beam, continually burn anywhere from minutes to days after being replaced. Switch assemblies have been replaced, cannot get low beams to illuminate at times, then no headlights at times. Very dangerous. Again, endless online complaints of the same issue. Sunroof: endless issues with the sunroof leaking and soaking the floorboards on both drivers and passenger sides. Taken to wind gap chevrolet, told we need to have sunroof replaced. Again, endless online complaints of the same issue. Based online and on this the federal safety agency site: it seems that these are serious and dangerous issues with this vehicle!!!!! Recent headlight recall on similar vehicles for the same issue. Why is this vehicle not recalled for transmission/power train and headlight issues!?!?

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 Sep 16, 2014 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn outlook. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate after a stop, the vehicle failed to shift into gear without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, who stated that a new transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2014 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · MI

Family on vacation out of state with two adults and 3 children. At stoplight in heavy traffic. Went to accelerate and engine would run high RPM's but no vehicle movement. Finally got the vehicle to move slowly and barely made it to a local gas station. Could have caused an accident due to transmission failure in heavy traffic.