Intermittent loss of power steering when trying to park in a space in a parking garage. It also happened when turning in motion into a street off a highway while braking. Power steering fluid levels were full both times.
The worst 2010 Saturn Outlook problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering7
- Lights6
- Electrical5
- Acceleration2
- Body1
- Engine1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Saturn Outlook
Recalls 4
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
- Risk
- If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, and Saturn customer service at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Recall number 15V415000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
- Risk
- If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC), 1‑800‑553‑6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
Recall number 14V266000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Chevrolet owners at 1‑866‑694‑6546, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and GMC owners at 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Recall number 14V118000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 chevrolet traverse, buick enclave, gmc acadia, and saturn outlook vehicles. The second row seat side trim shield restricts the upward rotation of the safety belt buckle when the seat back is returned to a seating position after being folded flat. If the buckle contacts the seat frame, additional effort is required to return the seat to a seating position. If sufficient force is applied, the buckle cover could be pushed down the strap, exposing and partially depressing the red release button.
- Risk
- The safety belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will modify the second row seat side trim shields. If a safety belt buckle is damaged, dealers will replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on august 18, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, and saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876, or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V375000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Saturn Outlook
Defect investigations
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V‑266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V‑266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V‑266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driverâs seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to Please see the attached document âEA20-002 Detailed Closing Summaryâ for more a detailed closing resume summary.
EA20002
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648
RQ19003
Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Saturn Outlook 1,266
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
2010 Saturn Outlook fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 19 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
What 2010 Saturn Outlook owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2010 saturn outlook has 124,xxx miles on it. I've owned it since january of 2017. 2 or 3 months ago my passenger side low beam headlight went out. I decided that due to having to go through the wheel well to get to the bulbs, I would just change all 4 while I was in there. Everything seemed fine for about a month. Then I noticed it flickering on and off while I was driving. Or when I unlocked the car it wouldn't turn on. So I bought another bulb and changed it and it still didn't work. Took it all apart again only to find out my headlight socket had melted. So I bought a replacement, installed it and everything was great. Except for now, a week later, my bulb quit again. This is not safe. I can't drive down the road and question whether or not my headlights are going to function properly. I have read and there are a lot of people having the same problems or had the same problem at one time. This needs to be addressed. I am not going to be happy if I have to spend time and money taking this to the shop to get something so simple fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 saturn outlook. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the pedal was depressed. Ocassionally, the vehicle would abnormally accelerate without the pedal being engaged. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,243.
Engine light was coming on & off. After a couple days, the outlook had a loss of power. Had it checked & was told we had a timing issue with the 3 timing chains. The chains were stretched & one of the timing chain gears was one tooth off. They needed to be replaced. I was also told that there was a recall on the 2007-2009 saturn outlooks for the same problem but the 2010 models were not included. Why wouldn't the 2010 models be included? The loss of power happened on 9/30/16. Check engine light was coming on & off just a couple days prior to the loss of power.
Headlights wire harnesses burnt
When turning right or left, typically at lower speeds, the steering nearly freezes up making it almost impossible to turn. I have taken the car to the shop - can't figure out what it is, and I have called my dealer - says it's no longer under warranty and no recall issued for this type of thing so I would be wasting my time to bring it in. The car is only at 90,000 miles and I'm afraid this issue may result in a crash and or injury to my family and I have no idea what to do. There is no leaking from any areas including the power steering pump and rack and pinion.
Melted low beam headlight wiring harness. Bulbs have been replaced numerous times and now there is no low beam headlights at all.
When driving slow forward or back, when turning the steering wheel, it locks up then will come loose, letting you turn the wheel. I understand there is a class action suit against gm by the chevy traverse owners for this same problem. Case number is [xxx], filed 3/12/13. Since I have a saturn, that is a twin to the chevrolet traverse and gm acadia. I think I have the same problem they are having in the steering. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I have had numerous issues with power steering in my saturn. This is my family vehicle that I drive my children in and bought it with safety in mind. I am starting to believe the vehicle is very unsafe. Instead of gm fixing the problem they have taken no blame and are asking me to pay hefty bills related to the steering wheel. The car has had 3 steering gears and now needs a steering pump. I know many saturn owners are having the same issues. Please help, this is not fair to the consumer. We are being lied to so gm does not have to cover these costly parts.
I have been experiencing intermittent power steering loss at low speeds for several months. After viewing hundreds of complaints from owners of other similar year model vehicles on the lambda platform I contacted gm/saturn about a possible recall. After speaking with a customer service rep we took our vehicle to our local dealer for diagnostic testing and it was determined that the power steering pump needs to be replaced. When explaining to the shop employee the problem he said that he was aware of what to look for because he has heard of many complaints identical to ours. The gm rep told us that she was placing our vehicle under a recall and that gm would absorb all charges related to repairing this issue. Once we called to check the status of the vehicle we were informed that this was not the case and gm would not be covering the repairs. I spoke with gm again and explained that unexpected loss of power steering was an important safety concern and was told that the vehicle was not under a recall and that there was nothing else to be done. I believe that this issue needs to be addressed through a recall. In my opinion the number of owners having this issue is too high to be considered a coincidence and is the result of a defective power steering pump.
Compare the 2010 Saturn Outlook
Other model years
Questions about the 2010 Saturn Outlook
Is the 2010 Saturn Outlook reliable?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2010 Saturn Outlook, fewer than a typical Outlook model year.
What is the 2010 Saturn Outlook year score?
The 2010 Saturn Outlook scores 93 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn Outlook: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Saturn Outlook?
Steering, with 7 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is lights (6).
How many recalls does the 2010 Saturn Outlook have?
4 recalls, covering structure, seat belts and air bags.
What year does the Saturn Outlook have bad steering?
The Saturn Outlook model years with the most steering complaints are 2007 (60 complaints), 2008 (45 complaints) and 2009 (42 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Saturn Outlook get?
Official estimates for the 2010 Saturn Outlook range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.
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