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Expensive Saturn Outlook repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (22%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (2%)

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Chart based on 60 repairs.

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Saturn Outlook repair cost distribution

$2500+ (28%)

$1000 - $2499 (72%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

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Chart based on 36 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

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.

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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

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51000 mi US $450	Water pump replaced
55000 mi US $225	Replaced faulty ignition coil pack and plugs
70000 mi US $350	Fuse box was corroded due to leak.
76000 mi US $1488	Replaced heater core/ Ac evaporator.
93000 mi US $410	MAF sensor Exhaust seal
98000 mi US $2400	Replaced torque converter.
106000 mi US $600	Replaced master cylinder.
115000 mi US $1250	Replaced steering rack
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

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114500 mi

US $1200

Throttle body replacement

24000 mi US $140	Power steering was whining though not having trouble steering. Dealer advised power steering pump needed replacement. Declined to replace as vehicle is out of warranty and I thought it might just be air in the system. Hasn't made noise since
33000 mi US $907	Master cylinder was leaking though no external signs of leakage. Caused Stabilitrack warning light to come on. Door speakers on driver's side (both front and rear side door) were inoperative.
34000 mi US $531	Auto rear gate ceased to operate and would not latch closed when manually lowered.
42200 mi US $300	Hissing sound coming from dash. Wasn't cooling very much. System needed 2 lbs of freon added. Bringing back for a leak check this week. 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.
69800 mi US $1200	ABS and traction control lights began flashing on dash then car went into battery saving mode. A/C shut down. Gradually became harder to drive and then would not restart after stopping.

80000 mi US $100	Instrument cluster gauges all died, all other lights, information center still functional, tech found grounded low speed GMLAN (dark green wire), but wire with short circuit not located, fault disappeared and has not returned in 30 days.
81000 mi US $400	Replaced brake master cylinder vacuum booster, and replaced master cylinder, which was leaking from rear seal. Vacuum booster still worked, but exposure to brake fluid is deemed to make it unreliable
101000 mi US $154	Replaced 3 out of 4 door mounted speakers, one LF was intermittent, two were open cicuited, RR speaker still OK
108000 mi US $1400	bad seals on valve body leaking by, replaced valve body, engine powertrain diagnostic was accurate, car drivable during this time 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

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22940 mi C $450	Did a reset on computer transmission. Nothing changed.
47740 mi C $1500	Rear wheel drive no longer work. Had to change sensor. Tailgate struts failed. Rear left window not working anymore. catalytic converter failed. Check engine light on. Rear right light, moisture inside break light, chrome peel off inside the light. Radio won't work when ice on the car. Engine won't start at -10c or will start with difficulty.
67460 mi C $400	actuator intake stuck opened.
79360 mi C $1500	Solenoid stuck. Stuck in 2th gear. Had to change TCM (700$) because you can't change the solenoid alone. It's all part of the TCM.

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85000 mi

US $1600

ABS, stability control. Forget specifics.

39000 mi US $127	Tortion bar links??
56000 mi US $300	Motor went out in the passanger side front door. A week after repair, stopped working again. Had to run a new wire.
72000 mi US $235	Replaced a part due to air conditioner blowing hot air. Fan was also running funny.
77000 mi US $1800	3-5-R wave plate broke. Replaced with a brand new transmission.
116000 mi US $350	Broken sway bars on both sides. Replaced both

58200 mi US $1451	Water pump replaced, engine front cover leak, transmission seal replaced from prior repair
80000 mi US $200	Cracked windshield, no sign of impact, had to replace it to pass inspection.
97000 mi US $150	Muffler replacement
118000 mi US $350	Replaced motor mounts
121000 mi US $755	Replaced rack and pinion Replaced tie rods, bushings for sway bar, upper control arms and sway bar links

42160 mi C $337	Swaybar links loose - replaced. Headlight harness recall. The headlight had gone out for a second time, the recall was very timely.
104780 mi C $200	Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure. Right Rear Wheel Bearing Hub had to be replaced. Rear end loudly squeaking over bumps and if bumper pushed down. Right rear upper trailing arm replaced and alignment performed. Both rear brake backing plates corroded through / rotting. Replaced left and right backing plates, as well as left wheel bearing which disintegrated upon removal to replace the backing plate. Vehicle started making high pitch whine with electrical burning smell. BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE message came on.rnrnDiagnosed as Alternator internal fault. Generator (Alternator) replaced. Climate control buttons "peeling / flaked". Climate control panel replaced.
107780 mi C $150	Windsheild Wipers stoped working. Wiper transmission failed - part replaced.
110360 mi C $100	Remote unlock on one remote no longer functioning. Button had worn out - remote replaced and new remote paired to vehicle.
114080 mi C $200	Radio and reminder chimes started getting progressively fainter until it was determined 4 of the 6 speakers in the vehicle were no longer working. The 4 in-door speakers were replaced which restored audio to normal functioning.
120900 mi C $300	Transmission cooler line leaking. . Line replaced.
124000 mi C $200	Right rear shock leaking. . Replaced both rear shocks.
126480 mi C $100	AC would intermittently blow cold air, but unpredictably and unreliably. HVAC blend actuators found to be bad - replaced actuators.
127280 mi C $150	Muffler Rusted Through. Replaced Muffler Assembly. Transmission intermittently not shifting beyond first gear. Problem determined to be faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM) sensors. TCM removed and sensors repaired, then re-installed.
133940 mi C $500	Replaced worn front struts and end links
137000 mi C $11000	Engine had lost compression in 3 cylanders. Replaced Engine.

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50000 mi US $597	Replaced water pump, leaking coolant from weep hole, seal had gone bad causing fluid leak. Replaced water pump and serpentine belt.
51000 mi US $300	Warning said "Traction Control Offline" & "Service Stabilitrack Soon." Dealer said warning caused by cam position sensors and repairs would cost over $1000. Independent service station found problem with brake sensor. Repairs cost $300.
70000 mi US $525	Right front brake caliper failed causing break pad to lock in on position. Repair required new calipers, pads and rotors on the front.
90200 mi US $1000	Torque Converter failed and was replaced. Partial warranty coverage but most cost excluded due to "wear & tear."

47000 mi US $1175	Clunk in the steering when cold. Dealer replaced steering rack at no charge under Saturn extended warranty.
51000 mi US $175	Shaking and excessive bouncing noticed when going over bumps or at highway speed. Found that the right rear shock absorber was leaking fluid. Part not covered under extended warranty so I purchased and replaced both rear shocks myself.

93900 mi US $548	Replaced both rear shocks and stabilizer links.
104000 mi US $935	Passenger front seat airbag weight sensor failed.
119000 mi US $800	Rebuilt transmission with upgraded components. The transmission is still not 100 percent. Working with the shop to fine tune the repair (fingers crossed it all works out). Replaced muffler.
128000 mi US $310	Front windshield wiper assembly broke at motor connection (bushing)

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46000 mi

US $1300

Water pump

98000 mi US $100	The front blower motor was replaced
117700 mi US $160	Emmision. Purge selenoid failure (check engine light on)
139000 mi US $4400	Complete failure. Transmission rebuilt
177200 mi US $1000	Power steering pump, struts and belts
207000 mi US $850	A/C Compressor and Alternator replaced bearings frozen.

83300 mi US $1300	Fuel system evap solenoid and fuel tank pressure sensor were replaced under NON-warranty repairs.
130700 mi US $750	Replaced both front strut assemblies due to sway bar becoming loose and wearing mount hole in one side. Sway bar was reconnected incorrectly during previous transmission work.
176000 mi US $125	Passenger side high beam light burned out after 15 years of ownership. Replaced and upgraded high beam lights on both sides to LED as well as both low beam lights and both fog lights to LED. All forward facing lights are now LED and it is a marked improvement over the factory halogen bulbs. Invested in properly manufactured replacement LED bulbs so as to enhance light output, not blind other drivers, and to not disrupt light patterns of the light housings. Worth the extra money after the first early morning in the fog.

146000 mi

US $3000

Water leaks into my car when it rains. The engine is seeping oil. The headlights are extremely dull.

69500 mi US $320	oxygen sensor needed replacing.
76000 mi US $3600	transmission needed to be replaced

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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.
145000 mi US $180	Wipers stopped working. Turns out it was just a single nut that came off and detached them. $180 was labor + some loctite.
153000 mi US $200	Check Engine Light - Vent Valve Solenoid

104000 mi

US $3200

Rebuilt transmission due to some kind of pressure disk failure known for these transmissions

125300 mi US $900	Power Steering Pump replaced. We also had to replace the transmission at 119k, just 18 hours after purchasing the Outlook back in October '12.
128700 mi US $890	Steering rack replaced
137000 mi US $852	Replaced master cylinder and vacuum booster due to internal leak of master cylinder into booster.
138000 mi US $860	Multiswitch replaced due to front windshield washer switch failure. both shocks and struts replaced
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.
172700 mi US $300	Connector to rollover sensor (passenger airbag light) was corroded. replaced clutch plates 1,2,3,4
188000 mi US $2400	Timing chain
215000 mi US $300	Front left tie rod
230000 mi US $190	machine front rotors, replace front pads

83300 mi

US $1300

Had to replace rear a/c line that cost $700 plus recharge it and labor for $1300. that was insane and went with the $300 repair so I have no rear air because who can afford that. A total rip off and the only one that can do it is the dealer.

39000 mi US $240	Loose front left stabilizer link
51000 mi US $235	Right front stabilizer link worn. Replaced
75000 mi US $434	Left Rear Control Arm replaced and wheels aligned
86000 mi US $1330	HVAC thermostat not working properly. Power steering pump leak Passenger Airbag sensor inop
91000 mi US $1250	Replace front struts and align Steering gear pinion shaft housing seal dry and noisy recommend replacing seal
98000 mi US $306	Replace Purge Solinoid Right Front Tire Pressure Monitor Faulty Signal
115700 mi US $240	Replace loose left rear toe adjustment arm
121700 mi US $600	Replace Front Struts under lifetime warranty 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
150000 mi US $500	Replaced right rear wheel bearings
165000 mi US $1310	Left Front Strut leaking - Replaced - Life time warrantee on part Exhaust leak - replaced resonator with aftermarket parts Front and Rear Passenger side & Driver master electric window switches faulty - replaced
168000 mi US $989	Left rear wheel bearing noisy. Upon multipoint inspection rear upper control arm found loose recommended replace

114000 mi

US $2310

Replaced timing chain and then throttle body after timing chain didn't fix problem.

145000 mi

US $4400

Failure to shift from 3rd to 4th, check engine light. Decided to do full transmission replacement for 3 year/100k warranty on new tranny rather than risk a rebuild. I do tow with this vehicle.

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29140 mi C $891	Mechanic noticed bumpy ride when doing test drive for whining noise reported in February repair trip. Diagnosed as being front struts having leaked. Follow-up on previous fuel-gauge problem during cold weather. Was informed there is now a TSB. Using a higher ethanol fuel is supposed to prevent the problem from occurring - may be a Canadian specific problem.
32960 mi C $165	While driving in a rainstorm the windshield wipers completely quit working after being on high for 30 minutes. Was told the bolts had come loose so that the gear assembly wasn't touching properly. Bolts were torqued and treated to not slip.
36580 mi C $540	Power steering pump. (3rd replacement over lifetime of car.) CV Joint cracked and leaking fluid. Replaced and steering aligned.
48980 mi C $5000	The car broke down on way to dealer due to problems with it shifting between gears. Diagnosed as black transmission fluid with metal filings in the fluid and needing transmission replacement. Transmission rebuilt. (Had vehicle towed to this shop from dealer) diagnosed as clutch wave plate having broke which damaged other parts in transmission when it broke. Known issue with transmission and updated parts are available. (Dealer refused to cover the work as the policy from gm that would have paid for the repair expired in feb 2017 - this is a known problem with these transmissions.) Suspension bouncy again. Second time front struts have been replaced in 79,000 km.
68510 mi C $970	Replaced brakes and rotors. (First replacement) 1 Windshield wiper arm stopped rotating properly.

36000 mi US $100	check engine light came on. cause determined to be a sensor on fuel tank. not in stock, was ordered, a grating sound occurs when steering wheel is turned. mechanic thought lubrication of a "boot" would cure problem, but it did not. mechanic willing to disassemble steering column to diagnose, but said parts not in stock, week in shop needed Ordered previously, replaced.
51000 mi US $339	Power steering hum. Dealer replaced power steering pump. I payed for system flush, and PS fluid. 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.
68000 mi US $260	Replaced Steering Gear Housing. Flushed, bled PS system Found increased Copper level in Brake Fluid whaich had been replaced 18,000 earlier. Flushed and replaced brake fluid.
77000 mi US $310	RT FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED TO ALLOW PROPER ALIGNMENT. ALL FOUR TIRES WORE BADLY ON THE INSIDE EDGES BEFORE REPLACEMENT, STRUT WORK, AND RE-ALIGNMENT.
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
109000 mi US $2100	Alternator putting out zero voltage. Replaced alternator Replaced both front struts because they were leaking fluid Alignment was checked and adjusted. I was concerned because of : 1. Having driven over curb (big bang) 2. Recently had tires rotated and tires are going whump, whump, whump while rolling. Whump sped up as speed increased. Still hear whump.
112000 mi US $155	Lift gate would close after opening about half-way. Problem began after recall mod to tailgate software. Apparently the issue was that the lift gate struts were worn and needed to be replaced
126000 mi US $582	Throttle Body Failure - Replaced TBI

79200 mi US $1300	p0171 emission controls code returned. Dealer dropped gas tank & replaced gas vent solenoid which (+$850) proved to not be the fault. The problem was a master cylinder leaking into the vacuum booster (+$550)
81300 mi US $750	Timing chain. alignment, injector cleaning
101700 mi US $600	Power steering pump and steering drive mechanism

140000 mi US $600	Axel leaking so caused issues with transmission shifting irregular. Repaired and reprogrammed transmission at GM dealer.
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.

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Expensive Saturn Outlook repairs by problem area

Saturn Outlook repair cost distribution

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