Saturn Outlook transmission failure problems

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 May 31, 2018 · Body, Transmission · 130,000 miles · MA

My transmission died in 2012 had put another transmission. Sitting in 2018 I need another transmission why can't they fix this problem. It's doesn't go above 10mph as I was driving also the roof leaks and car takes on water could cause a fire if you look online these are the 2 major complaints of this vehicle.

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 Sep 4, 2015 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · NC

Transmission took a while to engage into 2nd gear. When in first gear, you can hear the transmission making a distinct sound. Sounds like a whinny noise, as it was struggling to get into 2nd gear. I noticed this sound when stopped at a traffic light and the light turned green. As I began to accelerate, I noticed the vehicle was having a tough time getting out of 1st gear. This is the second issue with the transmission in 22 months. Back in november of 2013, I had the wav plate replaced at a cost of $2,600.00. The dealership now is telling me I need a whole new transmission at a cost of $4,000.00. Gm did reimburse me for my first transmission issue, but without a reimbursement, I would be looking at spending nearly $6,600.00 over the course of 22 months for transmission-related issues. No reasonable person would expect to pay that much money in such short of a time period for (2) separate, transmission related issues.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · 122,000 miles · GA

Since feb., the engine light on my saturn has been coming on/going off. Since then is no longer under warranty, took it to a local mechanic who read the obd code as p0017 and cleared the code. We were told to replace the gas cap--we bought a new one--engine light back on/back off. I began googling this and found there were many saturn owners with this issue. Finally, just this past week, I learned that gm had indeed issued a service bulletin about this--affecting the timing, which is another issue I was told could be the problem. Then, since gm had had so many complaints, they extended the warranty/fix, however, they only extended it to 120k miles/10 years, whichever occurs first. My car is not 10 years, but, it does have over the mileage. My question is who decides these magic numbers??? This saturn has been a lemon to say the very least! Major flooding inside the car---we repaired it with no help from gm; thermostat failed--we repaired it with no help from gm; transmission failed--we replaced it with no help from gm; etc.; etc. You do not receive these service bulletins (only recalls), then once you realize you have an issue and take it in, your beyond the mileage. We purchased this saturn due to so many friends who owned one and swore by it!! This, and the fact that in our 45+ year marriage, we've only owned gm products. But, no more!!! This cured us!!

Filed Jul 14, 2015 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · IL

Transmission failed, was rebuilt, failed again and rebuilt again. It has now failed a 3rd time. A 'service' bulletin was issued - but only to 120k miles or 10 years. My vehicle was 10k over the 120k but still within the 10 year. Saturn refuses to make the product right. Searching the internet is full of the same complaint at various stages. The vehicle has a faulty transmission - and should be replaced. Just because I drive miles, I am being penalized and stuck with a faulty product. My car has been dealer maintained since I purchased it new in nov 2007. Please help saturn owners that purchase a vehicle in good faith that it will work. We need transmissions replaced for our cars.

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.