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Saturn Outlook steering noise problems

13 of the 1,352 owner complaints about the Saturn Outlook describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2007 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2007
typical mileage
45,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · MN

Air bags keep warning on and force to vacate the seat on wearing seat belts wearing, dash board lose power and back after couple minutes.steering make noise on backing

Filed Jun 25, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 120,908 miles · MI · crash · 2 injuries

Travel us hwy when encountering rain condition vehicle had rear wheel loss of control into hydroplane, when attempting to correct steering into skid the steering failed to respond as if no power steering. The vehicle cruise control was on until point of first applying brake. The vehicle impacted ravine at frontal impactof grill atb high speed then flip side over side without one air bag deploying. Driver,passenger side, passenger/driver-side of seat, or pillar post air bags failed. The yellow airbag indicator light was always on and believed to be normal. After pressing on-star , emergency connection failed to which on-star claims antenna must of been damaged, though photos show intact. On star complaint about failure of system been on going since purchase. Complaint with ftc, state of michigan sos (secretary of state) and dealership shortly after purchase dec 24 2014 safety issues to include: frayed seat bel,t power steering sloppy and noise, rear suspension. Dealer agreed to only address seat belt, and replace rear control bushing arm on one side. Suffered severe neck, spine compression fractures, head, knee, ankle, twisted intestine from seat belt, laceration to torso and other injuries requiring hospitalization. Gm contact and opened complaint file for vehicle failures

Filed Nov 4, 2014 · Steering · 40,226 miles · MI

On 4/30/2012 my purchased new 2009 saturn outlook began experiencing difficulty steering. The dealer diagnosed it as a worn out steering gear. Subsequently, I had this replaced after owning the car for only 3 years and with only 40,226 miles. On 10/2014, while steering, a loud whirring noise occurred while exhibiting difficulty turning. Again, the dealership diagnosed it as and replaced the bad steering gear with only 71,183 miles. The same repair in two years is unacceptable. I recently received a letter from gm indicating that some 2009 saturn outlooks may develop a power steering pump wear condition that can cause an intermittent drop of power steering hydraulic pressure that will cause reduced of loss of steering assist. I inquired with the dealership of a correlation with the repairs I experienced and of course was told that there was none. I will be looking to contact gm customer service to escalate my concerns. Hopefully it helps. We love the vehicle when it is trouble free, but it has been an endless nightmare with multiple trips to the dealership service department for numerous other repairs. Luckily the others were covered under warranty, but were repairs that should not have been needed until much later in the vehicles life time.

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Steering · 52,000 miles · OR

We bought a used 2009 saturn outlook .it was "certified", in sep. 2010. From guaranty chevrolet in junction city or. It had 27872 miles on it. A month later I noticed a clunk in the steering at the end of turning. We returned the saturn to the dealer for inspection and was told that is common in the saturn and they couldn't find any thing wrong. At 52000 miles the power steering would occasionally be very hard to turn the steering wheel after making a stop, but once going it would be ok. On june 30 2014 we took it to capital chevrolet dealer in salem or. They diagnosed it and said the power steering gear was going out and it is going to cost us $1800. To fix it. We have to get it fixed because it is a safety issue. We have read other complaints for this very same thing. There should be a recall on this part. I hope to be reimbursed for this $1800.

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Steering · WV

I purchased my saturn outlook in june of 2009 and still enjoy driving it but recently when turning the steering there is a "thud" noise and steering becomes difficult. This has happened on several occasions but not every time. I also have lost the ability to lock the drivers door with door lock but can lock it from remote key or using the passenger door lock and now the window control has started to work at random. This too is only when using the drivers control. The door on the drivers side just started making a loud noise a few weeks ago when opening. It sounds like it might be on a bind. I did take my car to dealer when the lock stopped working and was told I needed a part that was over a $100 +$100 labor just to tell me it needed the part. This was before the window starting acting up and the door began making loud creaking noise. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Body, Driver assistance · 45,000 miles · TX

Our saturn outlook has had problems that have accumulated more recently that include the steering box failing (audible popping when near neutral steering position), the electronic stability control and brake simultaneous lights with feedback in the brake pedals (even when ABS is not active), and a very annoying weather/water leak from an unknown source that is soaking the passenger carpet after every single rain. None of these items were covered under warranty, and I'm returning the car for the second time tomorrow to the dealership to investigate the leak (again) and the stability control. I already replaced the steering box, out of pocket, for over $1000. We just paid the car off and bought it new in 2008. It barely has 50,000 miles on it, and this is not a quality product. The ride, handling, interior features/space are outstanding, but there are too many faults for such a new(er) car. I also replaced the water pump a few months ago, but that was at the tail end of my warranty (now expired). After only 5 years and 50,000 miles, I'm looking at expensive monthly payments for a new vehicle to replace what should have lasted at least another 5 years comfortably without major defects. It's no wonder saturn went out of business and that gm has nearly failed so many times...

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Steering, Wheels · 98,800 miles · NV

Bought this vehicle used in november of 2012. Noticed that the steering wheel is noisy (a squeaky noise). Eventually when I do u-turns the steering wheel gets stiff but still manageable to steer the vehicle although it's totally stiff to turn. Then lately most of the time when going in and out of a parking lot it seems I totally lost the power steering or perhaps the power steering locks up because it's really hard to turn the steering wheel. Brought it to a former saturn dealer and they said the power steering pump and rack is busted and needs to get repaired. Their quote to replace the parts and labor is about $1,500.

Filed Jun 9, 2011 · Steering · 69,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 saturn outlook. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle made a clicking noise in the steering wheel. The dealer diagnosed that the rack and pinion and steering needed to be repaired. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion and steering pump; but the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 69,000 and the current mileage was 72,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2010 · Steering · 41,000 miles · MN

The failure was the power steering pump on a 2007 saturn outlook, 3.6l engine. The first sign of failure occurred while taking a curve at 45 MPH. The steering froze then freedup and froze again several times in just a few seconds causing me to nearly loose control of the vehicle. The vehicle went from the ditch to over the centerline before I was able to pull over. After this incident the steering made continuous noise and failed to work properly. It was impossible to steer at low speeds without revving the engine. Because of the danger of driving the vehicle I had to pay over $500.00 for the repair. I have heard of many many more power steering pump failures on the 3.6l engine. Please look into this before someone gets hurt or killed. Even after the repair the steering does not seem right. I am keeping my receipts because I feel this will end up a recall issue due to safety concerns. This vehicle had 41,000 miles on it (90% highway). The pump was returned for a $50.00 core charge.

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Steering · 51,500 miles · MD

While at idle, the steering pump started "whining". The noise stopped after getting up to speed. Several times, while attempting to make a right hand turn, the steering column seized, causing the vehicle to skid at approximately 25 MPH. This is a serious safety issue. It seemed to only occur during rain.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Saturn Outlook steering noise

Which Saturn Outlook years have clunking or noise when steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2007 (6 complaints), 2009 (5 complaints) and 2008 (2 complaints).

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