2008 Saturn Outlook Saturn Outlook 2008

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2008 Saturn Outlook repairs by problem area

Engine (18%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (22%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (14%)

Other (7%)

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Chart based on 353 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Saturn Outlook.

2008 Saturn Outlook suspension repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (13%)

$100 - $499 (23%)

< $100 (61%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 61 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Saturn Outlook

Engine not specified

122000 mi

US $600
Power steering cooler had a major sudden failure, losing all fluid and wrecking the pump and steering rack. Car had to be towed. Repair covered under OEM extended defect warranty due to poor design. Would have been $1500 if covered by owner. 

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2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

275-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

70000 mi Rack and pinion not smooth, especially on turns. Could feel it in steering wheel. Also a whine and rattle from under steering column below dashboard. Third time in with a system replacement. 
81000 mi Noise in front. Struts were replaced. 
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 
34000 mi Power steering whine. Power steering fluid leak from temperature as noted in TSB. 
117000 mi

US $135
Power steering pump failing over several months. Researched issue and started with power steering pump. May need rack system replaced soon as well. 
9000 mi Replaced power steering cooler second time under warranty. 
5580 mi Clicking noise from steering column. Needs column to be replaced. Parts on order. 
6200 mi New steering column ordered from US arrived and was fitted by dealer. 
6820 mi Recurrence of the clicking sound from steering column when turning. Not confident that it won't return again. Squeaking suspension strut (car was sounding like a ten year old taxi with 750,000km on the clock). Shop couldn't reproduce the problem (naturally). Probably some ice stuck in it that melted when it sat in the shop for repair of the steering noise. 
16120 mi Loose rods in the steering made knocking noise. Rods re-aligned and tightened. 
18600 mi Recurrence of noise from steering column when turning at slow speeds. Same as Problem 1 Trip 1 but this time the parts ordered had arrived and were installed. 
19220 mi Awful squeaking from rear left suspension strut. Sounded like an old taxi. Now quiet thankfully. 
29140 mi Recurrence of noisy steering pump. Told it needed replacing, so it was done! Bit worrying for a car less than three years old. 
32500 mi Noise from steering. Steering rack replaced. 
58000 mi Steering wheel noise, possible pump failure 

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2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

275-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

15000 mi Slight clunk/rattle in front end at low speed. Dealer tightened a couple of bolts. 
32000 mi

US $600
Very loud "groaning" sound while driving. Two occasions lasting for ~10 sec. Traced to air in power steering line. Flushed and refilled line. 
24200 mi

US $20
Often heard squeak when turning. Squeak from steering gear bushing. Replaced steering gear with updated part (#PI0029C). Set front toe and test drove. Noise gone. 
16700 mi Power Steering fluid cooler leaking. 
68000 mi

US $10
Low on steering fluid 
197700 mi

US $240
Both lower ball joints failing. Replaced. 
85000 mi

US $500
Noise/clunking coming from steering rack. Rack bushings replaced. 
89500 mi

US $350
Front strut was leaking oil. Replaced both struts and had four wheel alignment. 
38000 mi Power steering leak; hose replaced. 

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2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

270-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

21080 mi Power Steering Cooler Leak - Replaced Power Steering Cooler Leak - Replaced 
42160 mi

C $337
Swaybar links loose - replaced. 
58720 mi Sway bar link loose. Replaced under parts warranty (replaced less than 1 year prior). 
104780 mi

C $1837
Rear end loudly squeaking over bumps and if bumper pushed down. Right rear upper trailing arm replaced and alignment performed. 
124000 mi

C $200
Right rear shock leaking. . Replaced both rear shocks. 
133940 mi

C $500
Replaced worn front struts and end links 
27000 mi noise in steering column however further diagnosis proved to be rack boot 
121000 mi

US $755
Replaced rack and pinion Replaced tie rods, bushings for sway bar, upper control arms and sway bar links 
165700 mi Power Steering pump leaking- this is the 2nd time having this replaced (First time around 110K) 
17000 mi Mechanic said he heard "popping" when wheel turned. Ordered parts. 
19220 mi Shock oil leak in rear driver side shock. Complete loss of damping - tire loses contact with road surface over large bumps. Dealer ordered replacement shock. 
20460 mi Driver's side rear shock replaced - leaking oil. 
37820 mi Tie rods worn out, replaced.  
87420 mi

C $600
Power steering oil cooler leaking - cooler was replaced. 
99160 mi

C $800
Broken linkage 
67200 mi noise in front end slight metallic noise in front end at about 30mph They replaced sway control arm on driver side It took care of the problem !! 
82900 mi noise in front end- this is the second time this was replaced 
54000 mi

US $250
Front stabilizer bar and bushings needed to be replaced. 
10000 mi steering column clunk p/steering pump noise drivers seat lumbar steering column clunk brake pedal squeak rear hatch trim replacement 
31000 mi Power Steering Cooler was leaking. 
62000 mi Replaced front stab. bar links 
107000 mi

US $300
replaced power steering pump and R/Front strut asm. 
39000 mi

US $127
Tortion bar links?? 
84000 mi

US $60
Say bar link on the passenger side broke. Replaced rear springs and shocks, replaced from struts. 
103700 mi Dealer replaced Power steering pump under recall/TSB due too power steering going out under low speeds. 
116000 mi

US $350
Broken sway bars on both sides. Replaced both 

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2008 Saturn Outlook 4dr SUV

270-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

50300 mi

US $490
Replaced Power Steering Pump 
10000 mi When turning the steering wheel there is clicking noises. Not sure if it comes from the steering wheel or if it's something in the suspension or somewhere that would be effected when turning. 
69000 mi

US $212
Heard rattle when going over bumps 
24000 mi Clicking noise heard upon turning steering wheel and hitting bumps. Steering column and upper strut mounts replaced. Noises are no longer heard. 
30000 mi Noticed whine in power steering pump. Power steering fluid was low, no leaks found. 
38000 mi Grinding noise while turning, dealer replaced steering gear and tie rods. TSB. 
27000 mi both rear shocks leaking both rear shocks leaking 
41000 mi

US $825
steering rack was leaking fluid, it had to be replaced. 
64000 mi sway bar links bad 
35300 mi Took to Chevy dealer (Saturn dealer closed) for a clunking noise in the steering rack observed only when cold. Dealer says that GM is developing a TSB to repair, and that it's not a safety issue. Dealer will call back when GM provides the TSB. 
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.  
64200 mi Replaced rack & pinion assembly due to large oil leak and whining noise. 
96000 mi Rack & Pinion in Power Steering leaking, would cost $1,200 to $2,000 to repair this and replace the transfer case, traded car. 
61000 mi

US $50
Clunk in steering column while turning steering wheel. Most noticeable when vehicle not (yet) moving--as if you were turning the wheel in anticipation of (parallel) parking. Steering column and rack both replaced. 
77000 mi Replaced struts and stabilizer bar links. Steering rack was replaced (2nd time), since original dealer did not replace washers/shims when the first rack was replaced. 
93900 mi

US $548
Replaced both rear shocks and stabilizer links. 

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2008 Saturn Outlook Suspension Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Saturn Outlook problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.