Driver headlight harness overheats, causing headlight to go out. This has happened three times now in less than two years. I replaced the connector harness and within a few weeks it had melted and the light was out again. When I looked up what to do I found out that many other saturn outlook owners have the same problem.
Saturn Outlook overheating problems
25 of the 1,352 owner complaints about the Saturn Outlook describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical mileage
- 52,000
By model year
Often reported together
Headlights 17Won't shift 2Loss of power 2Transmission failure 1Stalling 1Slipping 1Shudder 1Fire or smoke 1
What owners say
In 2016, I purchased a 2009 saturn outlook from a dealer, with 90,000 miles on it. Two months later, "transmission overheating, let engine idle" indicator came on, and the saturn shut itself down as I drove down I-35! Mechanic said they couldn't find anything wrong. They reset my codes, and all seemed okay. This happened a few more times, but know one could tell me what was wrong other that bank 1 low. For the most part it drove without problems. Regular service maintenance, and oil changes consistent with the manual. I rarely drove it after the second year of owning it. On way home to oregon (purchased outlook in iowa), I continuously lost power going up the passes. Semi trucks were passing me, as if I were sitting still. With new air-filter system, maf sensor, coils, boots, and spark plugs installed I continued at a snail pace all the way to oregon. A two day trip took me seven days. Nobody could tell me what was wrong other than the bank 1 low, o2 sensor, which I replaced those as well. I get home and seven months later, I almost get hit by a school bus, because my saturn stalled in the middle of the intersection. Three light changes later, I make it across the street to the college. It shuddered all the way, till I parked it, where I had to wait to be towed three blocks to home. I paid over $15,000 for a vehicle that lasted me under 50,000 miles. It is paid in full, and is now dead. Still no clue as why. Codes show bank 1 and 2 low ? But why will it not start? Why did my battery die? I could not have taken better care of my baby, if I tried! Please, help me fix her. There is no reason for this vehicle to be out of commission, yet it is at 134,000 miles. Gm, please fix this. This was faulty at 90,500 miles. I have always taken great care of every car I have ever owned. It got worse after I took it to a chevy dealer in missouri! Catalytic bank 1 and 2.
My headlight keeps burning out. I've bought the car used a year and a half ago and I've replaced 4 headlights and had the wiring harness replaced twice. It keeps overheating and burning out.
During transit on interstate the engine stop providing power to the transmission and RPM decreased to 1,000 while decelerating the vehicle from 70mph to 45mph making it difficult to change lanes to pull off the road almost resulting in a fatal motor vehicle accident. After about 30-45 seconds the engin reengaged. 30 minutes later the vehicles system alerted that the transmission is overheating and recommended that we place the vehicle in nutral. This is the second time this has happened.
I am writing this letter to express my disappointment with the saturn outlook. I purchased a 2008 saturn outlook xe from a local dealership in houston, tx. This car has been a nightmare. My list of problems/repairs: - it overheated twice. The first time it happened, I replaced the radiator cap. The second time it happened, I replaced the thermostat, which in turn caused the water pump to leak. - I replaced an engine solenoid valve. While inspecting my car, the mechanic also noticed I had a transaxle leak. - the throttle body shorted. - the brake master cylinder leaked. - I replaced the cv joints. Actually, the mechanic told me my front end needed repairing - cv joints, struts and steering bushing. I could only afford to repair the cv joints and am currently getting quotes for repairs on the struts. - I had an oil leak (from the oil pan). A car that is only 7 years old has had to have these kinds of repairs - and some within a couple of years of ownership. This is absolutely horrid! The federal safety agency should google the reviews on this car. Owners complain of the same problems regardless of model/year (xe/xr, 2007-2010) - leaking roofs (luggage rack), brake master cylinder leaks, power steering issues, thermostat/water pump leaks, transmission issues, etc. Gm's response to this has been abysmal. This car is a lemon. Instead of recalling it, gm would rather sparsely send recalls for specific failures a day late and a dollar short - after folks have spent their hard earned money on repairs. The federal safety agency should launch an investigation into this. Gm clearly covered up horrific supply chain, manufacturing and assembly issues and intentionally installed defective parts in these cars.
Engine would stutter at around 70mph. Issue resolved by continuing to replace ignition coils. Finally a technical note was issued saying the ECM had an issue that would overheat and melt the ignition coils. Last visit to dealer in jan 2014 replaced all ignition coils and the ECM. Issue has not returned yet. If gm know about this issue, should they do a recall because it's a common problem according to the dealer.
Driving to a doctor appt and pulled into a parking lot to use my phone. Put car in park, engine on. Sat for 5 min, then put car in drive and engine revved and revved but did not move but a few feet. Put car in park and turned off the car for a few minutes. Upon restart, drove just fine for about 20 miles until check engine light went on. Went immediately to have to code read at a nearby auto zone. Gave 2 codes, one about a transmission problem and the 2nd about a computer self-repair completed. Never had the problem again. Then 3/5/14, at now 71,000 mi or so, while entering the on ramp to the freeway and now in the far left lane, attempted to accelerate, engine revved and car went maybe 25 MPH if that. A large big rig slammed on its brakes and swerved to miss rear-ending us. Car was turned off and turned back on. Same problem-revved very high and would go only 25-35 MPH in drive. Had to get off the freeway! Vehicle overheated and smoking. Towed to mechanic shop and was told it was a miracle that we have been able to drive it as all the gears were stripped and it needed a new transmission. Gm dealership said manufacturer warranty 5yr or 100,000 mi just expired 2/13. $2,500-$3,500 in cost...grrrr! Along with a dual sun/moon roof leak!
Transmission began slipping during long interstate trip. After a rest stop, transmission would not shift out of a low gear on freeway even when traveling at 60-70 MPH. Warning light (transmission overheat) came on and we were able to make it to the next exit. Power train completely failed and we had to have the car towed and find a hotel to stay at overnight. Gm dealer found 35r wave plate broken and sever metal debris throughout transmission. Transmission needed to be replaced at our expense.
While driving home at night, the driver side headlight went out. Next day I bought new lamps and replaced both of them but the driver side headlight still didn't turn on. I did notice a burning smell coming from the harness and lamp socket on the driver side. It seems that the headlight had overheated and melted the wiring harness and some of the socket assembly. After doing some research I found that many people have had the same issue with these vehicles and believe that this should be considered a recall for safety reasons. This could potentially cause and electrical fire or a serious traffic accident while driving at night.
In may, the vehicle began shuttering and lost all power. The vehicle was towed to a dealership and they said that the wave plate had broken. In december 2012, the transmission displayed an overheating warning, but dealership said no problems noted (approx 110000 miles) then in jan 2013 (113000) miles the transmission would not shift out of 2nd gear. Dealership said that it was now a broken pressure switch and not covered under the previous repair warranty.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Saturn Outlook overheating
Which Saturn Outlook years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (14 complaints), 2009 (6 complaints) and 2007 (5 complaints).
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