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Saturn Outlook repairs by problem area

Engine (20%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)

Other (12%)

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Chart based on 920 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the Saturn Outlook.

Saturn Outlook engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (9%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (22%)

< $100 (54%)

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Chart based on 138 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

65000 mi

Replaced engine mount

29000 mi

Car would not start in driveway on single digit morning. Dealer could not replicate and attributed it to the fact that car was low on fuel and facing uphill.

96000 mi	Water Pump replaced as a result of recall. Moisture around shaft, it wouldn't have been too long before it needed to be replaced.
146000 mi US $2250	Timing chains out of sync. Check engine light and message to stop using vehicle and return to dealer for service. requires dropping the engine and removal of the front timing cover, replace chains tensions and guides.

60000 mi US $300	Misfire on Cylinder #3. Engine was stuttering a little at highway speeds 55-60 going uphill under load. When hooked up to scan tool, bargraph tool found cylinder #3 misfiring, but not enough times to trip a fault code.Coil pack & Plug bad
61000 mi US $55	Misfire on a different cylinder. Personally replaced remaining spark plugs. Cylinder 3 was replaced last visit due to misfire. Just finished the replacement 45 days later.
34000 mi US $100	Heater hose engine block fittings cracked, leaking. Also timing chain cover had an oil leak.
68000 mi	Water pump was changed due to a leak. It was still under 12 month part warranty, water pump was changed for a leak December of last year.
79000 mi US $43	Engine misfire upon highway load. Triggered cylinder #4 misfire engine code p0304. Removed and replaced coil pack #4.
87000 mi US $300	Misfire returned, decided to do a complete coil pack and spark plug replacement.

2000 mi	Have lift in garage. In looking underneath vehicle noticed ALL the support rods for the exhaust system coated in rust. The exhaust itself (stainless) pretty rust free except the seam around both resonators (have the dual exhaust version).
19000 mi	This no-start could not be duplicated (kept overnight and a loaner was provided). Service Manager @ Lakeside Saturn in Macomb, MI determined if this should happen again to flat bed it in as codes were cleared when I jump started her.
27000 mi	This was a GM Customer Satisfaction Program. Premature timing chain wear. The Dealer changed the calibration of the Engine Control Module (ECM), including the Engine Oil Life Monitor (OLM). This doesn't bode well for a long term owners.
65000 mi	Water Pump failed (was leaking antifreeze on the garage floor). Car never overheated. A check with Moran Chevrolet in Clinton Township, MI showed GM issued a policy #13091 on water pumps for my Saturn extending the life to 10 years/120K

38200 mi US $330	Cylinder was misfiring. Replaced spark plug and coil on cylinder 5.
41900 mi US $395	Cylinder was misfiring. Replaced spark plug and coil on cylinder 3.
66000 mi US $1000	replaced coils and spark plugs on 3 cylinders

51000 mi US $450	Water pump replaced
55000 mi US $225	Replaced faulty ignition coil pack and plugs
93000 mi US $410	MAF sensor Exhaust seal
120000 mi US $600	Replaced fuel evaporator, coil pack on cylinder 5, and crank shaft position sensor
120000 mi US $550	Replaced Bank 1 Catalytic Converter

67390 mi	Replaced all 6 Spark Plugs and swapped ignition coil from Cylinder 1 to Cylinder 3 to see if that moved the misfire, it did not. Problem unresolved. Ignition Coil in Cylinder #1 replaced (though I was not asked whether I wanted them to or not). Reprogrammed ECU per TSB for misfires, problem still not resolved. Put dielectric grease on/around ignition coil and spark plug in cylinder #1. Problem still not resolved.
74700 mi	All previous issues ended up being caused by a broken valve spring. Cylinder head was replaced to fix the issue. And catalytic converter had to be replaced afterwards due to damage from misfiring.
75600 mi US $700	Throttle body issues due to design flaw with valve cover/pcv tube. Error code P1516 and P2135.
76200 mi US $325	Throttle Body replaced. Error codes P1516 and P2135.

28300 mi	Water pump failed. Numerous warning lights and vehicle became undriveable. Fluid dripping from front of the vehicle along with a slight burning smell.
42200 mi US $300	Check engine light. Evap codes indicated problem with the passive system that is supposed to detect evaporation from the gas tank. This problem was also causing remote start feature to not work. Fix worked temporarily, but has returned.

86500 mi US $6	Coolant level would not stay in exp. reservoir since car was new. Never overheated. Add coolnt maybe 3 times/year, 1-3 pints. After note about wtr pump fail due to low level, filled and checked, and watched, good sz leak, sealer added now OK
108000 mi US $1400	slow coolant system leak for 20-30,000 miles, only leaked while driving, no puddles or drips, assumed water pump shaft seal. Stop leak did not work at ?70,000 miles, but did slow it down. Found warranty repair was available from GM, <120k mi

114300 mi	Difficult to start
116300 mi US $1200	Throttle body replacement

19840 mi	At minus 10c engine cranks but won't start. Take sometimes 3 times to start. Transmission changing gear too fast. Rev à 1200 RMP at 70 KM/h. Big lag when need acceleration.
36360 mi	Would not cold start at -10c. Crank but wont start. Sometimes it start but start with difficulty (like missing a piston).
47740 mi C $1500	catalytic converter failed. Check engine light on. Engine won't start at -10c or will start with difficulty.
67460 mi C $400	actuator intake stuck opened.

4000 mi	Stabilitrac light came on and went out several times. Dealer found camshaft in engine loose. Replaced heads, camshafts and 1 piston. 4 weeks to get parts and repair.
10000 mi	During troubleshooting stabilitrac light coming on shop found engien camshaft loose in the head. Replaced camshaft and head.

58200 mi US $1451	Water pump replaced, engine front cover leak, transmission seal replaced from prior repair
93000 mi US $20	Purge valve replacement, experienced hard start after adding any amount of gas
97000 mi US $150	Muffler replacement
118000 mi US $350	Replaced motor mounts

66180 mi	Timing chain / bolts broken. Water pump leak
99160 mi C $800	Check engine light on - dealer updated software & performed oil change (truck had been in storage for 1 yr)
104160 mi C $500	Hole in resonator
112 mi C $350	Purge valve replacement

18000 mi	The transmission (as programmed by GM) has a tendency to delay downshifts which leads to "dead spots" while trying to accelerate under light throttle. GM has a TSB for this and a new program that corrects this complaint. I learned about it online.
27000 mi	Loud buzzing noise was noticed when driving during light acceleration. Dealer replaced a heat shield and the y-pipe to correct the problem.
46000 mi	Noticed coolant leaking from the front of the engine while idling. Dealer diagnosed and replaced water pump under 5/100k power train warranty.

29140 mi	Check Engine Light and Thick White Smoke on first startup of the day. Dealer waiting on special tool to diagnose. Cyclinder head on engine replaced as head rocker cams out of spec. Timing chain also replaced. Check Engine Light and Thick White Smoke on first startup of the day. Dealer waiting on special tool to diagnose. Cyclinder head on engine replaced as head rocker cams out of spec. Timing chain also replaced.
29760 mi	Cylinder head on engine replaced as head rocker cams out of spec. Timing chain also replaced. SES light on and smelly thick exhaust on startup. Tech determined that the right catalytic converter had failed. Converter replaced, repair successfull. SES light on and smelly thick exhaust on startup. rnrnTech determined that the right catalytic converter had failed. Converter replaced, repair sucesfull.
93840 mi C $20	Evap. Solenoid failed, replaced.
127280 mi C $800	Muffler Rusted Through. Replaced Muffler Assembly.
119420 mi C $11000	Engine had lost compression in 3 cylanders. Replaced Engine.

35000 mi	front gasket leaking oil
45799 mi	exhaust system rusted out, replaced gaskets replaced gaskets

35000 mi	water pump failed after 2-3 weeks of noisey operation water pump failed after 2-3 weeks of noisey operation
67000 mi	After 3rd attempt to locate buzz/rattle, a Cadillac technician ID'd the culprit. It was an undersized clamp installed on the catalytic converter which was causing the buzzing noise. Problem fixed so far (>2200-miles since repair).
119000 mi US $800	Replaced muffler.

26384 mi	Updated transmission software
53000 mi	Check engine light led to finding a stuck open intake manifold tuning valve. Valve was replaced.
82000 mi	Purge solenoid replaced

49158 mi	coolant leak, replaced water pump with new gasket front cover was leaking oil due to faulty gasket. removed & reinstalled front cover J0771 7.4 add .3 EVAC /A water pump leaking, replaced water pump with new gasket
69500 mi US $320	oxygen sensor needed replacing.
70000 mi	oxygenator failed. 3 of the 4 have failed but they are subject of a GM recall and the cost is covered under the warranty.
108000 mi	Timing chains were replaced under warranty

37820 mi C $550	engine timing chain stretches and slips. Known issue with L-series engines; GM has ordered parts and will fix under warranty.
39060 mi	stretched timing chain replaced by dealership mechanics. Vehicle gets much better fuel economy now!

23000 mi	Water pump went bad. Temp guage was reading very high.
63000 mi	Check engine light. Was fuel solenoid problem
46000 mi US $1300	Water pump

73000 mi US $250	dirty engine/gunk
77000 mi	Engine running rough. I think it's the ECU. Dealer thinks it's lack of oil changes.

55000 mi	Leaking water pump, took them one day to repair
75900 mi US $100	Also had gunked up EGR...cleaned.
75700 mi US $200	Throttle body issues caused stalling in cold or wet weather. Seems to be a wiring harness issue at throttle body.
139000 mi US $175	Throttle body replacement....intermittent codes and limp mode in cold weather

12000 mi	Tran update from May 8th bulliten
21000 mi	Water pump went out. Part ordered and it too was defective, second ordered and installed.

Saturn Outlook repairs by problem area

Saturn Outlook engine repair cost distribution

2010 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2009 Saturn Outlook

2009 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2009 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn Outlook

2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

2007 Saturn Outlook 4-door

2007 Saturn Outlook 4-door

Saturn Outlook Engine Problems

164000 mi US $950	Moisture in the throttle body kept throwing off Stabilitrak error, causing hard shifts and acceleration issues. After cleaning intake and replacing sensor, no more errors. Multiple times to shop in 3 weeks time.
188000 mi US $2400	Timing chain

135000 mi US $2400	Timing chain "stretch" caused engine misfire and other issues. This is a well-known, critical issue with the early model vehicles with this engine. Replaced timing chain and guides. Cost was mostly labor because engine had to be dropped.
153000 mi US $200	Check Engine Light - Vent Valve Solenoid

98000 mi US $306	Replace Purge Solinoid
121700 mi US $600	Replace serpentine drive belt
135700 mi US $3000	I had 2 of 3 cat converters replaced. $1900 parts and $950 labor. Replace plugs and wires
165000 mi US $1310	Exhaust leak - replaced resonator with aftermarket parts

61000 mi US $90	Check engine light came on and car went into "limp mode" which would only allow low speed driving. Dealership could not identify a problem, touched several wires, reset the system, test drove it for a while and then said it was good to go.
94000 mi US $194	Check engine light came on. Replaced evap purge valve

28000 mi	Complaint was filed multiple times within 2.5 years concerning stabilink/traction control. FINALLY dealer identified problem. REPLACED TIMING CHAIN. Vehicle seems to run better now than any time since we have owned the vehicle.
28300 mi	Had to drop the engine again and replaced right rear cylinder plus crank shaft actuations. This was 45 days since the timing chain was replaced.
29400 mi	the 2008 reflash of the transmission had never been updated even though the Outlook was in dealer service many many times since then. Seems to have solved some of the hesitation.
33000 mi	ECM module update for the OLM plus oil change and tire rotation

20000 mi	Lack of or slow to automatically shift to higher speed.
56000 mi	Bad water pump

93200 mi	Water pump replaced under warranty. Had been losing small amount of coolant for a couple years, and then one day I found a big puddle, at least now I know where it was going.
95000 mi	Check engine light came on directly after an oil change at the dealer. Turned out to be a streatched timing chain, which is a known issue with these engines. GM has extended service up to 10 years or 120K miles on some vehicles for this.
100000 mi US $12	Check engine light came on, code reader brought up P0019. Bought a new Purge Canister Valve online for less than $20 and installed it easily myself. Just a couple hose connections and a wire.

6000 mi	Gas gauge drops from 3/8 +/- tank to empty tank reading overnight. Tank level will move higher only after about 20 minutes of driving.
20000 mi	At +/- 40 mph when gas pedal is depressed heavily (lead foot) the car on 4 occasions has not accelerated for several long seconds, neither accelerates or bogs down - just stays at speed then after several long seconds finally kicks in - I consider this ..
75700 mi	DTC codes PO171 & P0174 ended up being oil contaminated Mass Air Flow sensor
79000 mi	Smog system
81300 mi US $750	Timing chain. alignment, injector cleaning

45000 mi	tranny downshifts abruptly to 1st gear when slamming on brakes and then accelerating at a speed over 35mph
54000 mi US $26	Out Christmas shopping and Outlook began to overheat, pulled over and looked under hood to see water pump leaking large amounts of water. Had the vehicle towed to Saturn Dealer in Gainesville.
163000 mi US $1500	Engine timing chains replaced, gaskets replaced, water pump, and maintenance services performed per the service bulletin. Husband completed repairs, he is an ASE master certified mechanic.

36000 mi US $100	check engine light came on. cause determined to be a sensor on fuel tank. not in stock, was ordered, Ordered previously, replaced.
51000 mi US $339	Computer update. I did not receive TSB Engine overheated, required one gallon of water to top off. Water pump showed signs of leakage. Pump replaced, I payed for system flush, and coolant.
92200 mi US $800	Replace Vent Valve, Gas Cap.Throttle Induction Decarb and Fuel Injector Service
106000 mi US $650	Evap purge filter stuck open. Replaced sticking intake manifold tuning valve
126000 mi US $582	Engine surges, display indicated "check stabilitrac, check traction control, reduced power." Shop unable to diagnose problem. No charge for diagnosis, or repair Throttle Body Failure - Replaced TBI