10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 2
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 77,961 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
As I was driving with my daughter, all of a sudden the check engine light came on and an error came across the dash stating the transmission was hot, idle engine. So, I pulled over to the side of the road and let the car sit for a few minutes. Started car back up and all was fine. This has happened several times over the last year. Not always getting the error message, because I think I have learned when transmission is not shifting properly. Vehicle's rmp's will go high, but never shift back down into gear while driving on highway. Once it does this, I have to pull over and turn the car off. Once I start back driving, it shifts properly again. Until I have to go up a hill, and I give it more gas to get up the hill and it will shift out of gear again, and not ever go back. This is dangerous because at times it makes the car drop in speed suddenly on the highway !!!!
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently to 30 mph without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the failure was contributed to a fractured wave plate, in which the fragments caused severe damage to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
- Lagrange , OH, USA
The day of the purchase (12/2012) of the vehicle, the engine light came on. I contacted the dealership who I purchased the vehicle from (Kia dealership) and was informed the truck was probably low on gas. The following day, I called and physically visited the dealership and was told they could not help me. For me to seek GMC.. during my visit with ed morse GMC in tampa, a diagnostic was performed and tons of recalls populated which they were pleasant enough in fixing. Nothing was done about the engine light as they were unable to locate the problem. On Feb 15, 2014, I headed on the interstate to drop of my son and the truck jerked. I had to immediately make my way three lanes to pull over bc the truck started to shut down. Once I pulled over, it didn't want to go into drive. I waited approximately 30-45 minutes, turned on the car, put it on drive and nothing. I then placed it in neutral and it began to drive, I placed it in drive and it began to reverse. I was able to make it home after almost a 2 hours? drive at 25-30 mph because it would not go any faster than that. Days after, the truck seemed fine. I took it again to ed morse GMC in tampa who informed many codes populated (again) but was in history. The mechanic stated to come back in two weeks to have it retested. Documents were provided to me. Every code was part of the powertrain/ transmission. I didn't get the chance to bring it back as scheduled because a few days after; Feb 22, I headed for drill (nation guard) and the truck started to shut down where a semi almost reared me to death. Thankfully he swerved and I had to immediately merge onto the grass. I waited a few minutes not knowing what to do because I was so angry and nervous that I return home to get my wife's car. Upon my return home on the 23rd, I went to crank up the truck and nothing. The vehicle is now disabled and sits in my driveway.
- Zephyrhills, FL, USA
Transmission failure! I was trying to park, the reverse control didn't work properly, check engine came on. After few hours parked, I went back home, the speed wasn't working (RPM 3 and 4 speed 35) and the light was still on. I got home, a mechanic came over to check it, he said it was the transmission. I took it to GMC, they worked the recalls (?? I don't know still what recalls they work on it), and told me it is the transmission. I have to pay $4,500 if I want a new one, $200 less if I want an used one or rebuild. Since it is more that 5 years old, no warranty on in. I still owe $11000 on this vehicle.
- San Juan, TX, USA
The vehicle suffered transmission problems. Dealer diagnosed the well-known wave plate breakage issue. This problem has been we-documented for years in vehicles with this transmission, and GM has issued various technical bulletins regarding the problem. Why is there no recall for this dangerous problem? transmission failure can occur at any time, even while driving.
- Littleton, CO, USA
When attempting to leave the grocery store and placing the vehicle in reverse nothing happened. It was then placed back into park and reverse again and again nothing happened. The third time this was done it went into reverse with no problem. When driving anything below 40 mph. The vehicle would shift very hard. It would jerk and almost act as though it was in neutral the RPM's would jump before going to the next gear. I took it into the dealership to have it looked at only to hear back from them that it was in fact the transmission and it would cost me about $5,000 to replace it. I had purchased this vehicle about 6 months prior to this incident.
- Des Moines , IA, USA
While driving my 2007 Saturn Outlook the engine stalled and came right back on. The engine light came on and the transmission would not shift out of 2 nd gear. I pull over put it in park sat there for a few minutes. I put it in drive and it went into gear. I'm very upset to learn it will cost me $6000 to repair the transmission and timing chain which is a problem GM is very aware of. I think they should take care of the problem due to many people having the same issues with this type of vehicle. I have only owned this vehicle for just over a year. And paid good money for the vehicle. So if they know there is a problem they should fix it.
- Waterloo, IN, USA
Transmission began slipping during long interstate trip. After a rest stop, transmission would not shift out of a low gear on freeway even when traveling at 60-70 mph. Warning light (transmission overheat) came on and we were able to make it to the next exit. Power train completely failed and we had to have the car towed and find a hotel to stay at overnight. GM dealer found 35R wave plate broken and sever metal debris throughout transmission. Transmission needed to be replaced at our expense.
- Columbus, IN, USA
I own a 2007 Saturn Outlook xe (fwd). After a few days of a bit of an odd hitch in the gears automatically shifting, the transmission went out. After a brief stop and then attempting to accelerate again it was as if the vehicle was stuck in neutral. We had it towed to a nearby mechanic where we were notified that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle has approximately 78,500 miles.
- Spokane, WA, USA
While driving on the freeway, my check engine light went on. I pulled off the freeway and the car went into "limp home" mode. I was able to restart the car out of limp mode and drove to a repair shop. A GM certified repair facility determined that the transmission was damaged due to a failed 35R wave plate. This is a common problem with 2007 and 2008 Outlooks, GMC acadias, and Buick enclaves. This problem as been referenced under NHTSA case number [xxx] and bulletin 09-07-30-012. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Paso Robles, CA, USA
Took a trip out of town this weekend and started noticing the transmission slipping when switching gears which activated the check engine light. Thankfully made it home before it got worse. Next day drove it around the block and was slipping all over the place. Pulled over to my house and parked. Turned off, turned back on. Tried to go in reverse and was unable as if in neutral. Still can go forward but major slippage. Doing research this is a very common issues with these vehicles. This page alone has 100+ and 10+ in the last month. GM and NHTSA need to realize this issue and get that recall going!
- Odessa, TX, USA
Thought this was a good deal just purchased on 11/4/13. With a 100,000 mile warranty. Yeah right have had nothing but trouble since I drove it. And they told me they fixed all the problems. Today is the 13th they told me to take it out of town on my planned trip and see how it does.the farther we drove the worse the transmission kept slipping. So on the 12th I took it back in and the service dept. Told me they are limited on what they can fix on a used car even under warranty. And my airbag service light came on and they couldn't fix that told me I would have to take it to another dealership and they could fix that out of my pocket cost. Something needs to be done with these vehicles before somebody gets seriously hurt! somebody please help me what can I do..
- Ashland, KY, USA
Vehicle wouldn't go into park although the gear shift was in park. The piece under the hood could be moved to knock it out of gear even when the car was turned off which is a dangerous safety hazard. The dealership said it was the shift cable that needed replacing. There was a previous recall in a 2009 Saturn Outlook ( recall # 09041) but the 2007 Outlook was not included which is the vehicle I have. I called GM and told about the problem and they would not do anything about it even though it is an on going safety problem!
- Bowling Green , KY, USA
Service passenger air bag warning light has been coming on for about 6 months now. Took it dealer but they said it was not covered. On Oct 11, 2013 while driving on the highway at about 65 mph the transmission just gave out. Car started slowing down and was not able to keep speed up. Was able to pull off the road. Got towed to certified dealership (motor city) in bakersfield and was told that my Saturn Outlook 2007 needed a new transmission.
- San Jose, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle began to jerk continuously without warning. The vehicle failed to operate in reverse but the contact was able to resume in drive. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the transmission wave plate was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 34,752.
- Southern Pines, NC, USA
During the car being serviced they did a service bulletin on the car that was to reprogram the ECM computer in the car for a timing chain issue. After the service the gas mileage went down and noticed the change oil calculator went down faster. Not a big deal I change my oil at 5,000 miles with synthetic blend. Wife too car and after shopping the car would not start. Found out that the timing chain snapped and broke numerous pieces in the engine. Found out after taking to the mechanic that the reprogram actual allowed more stretch in the timing chain then the factory setting. So feel like they were trying to push the issue out past the warranty period. Never was told at dealer what the reprogram did or they were having issues with the timing chain. Nothing in manual stating to change timing chain at any point. Found out after the problem happened and GM basically says it my fault I should have changed the oil more. This could become a safety issue if you are on the highway and this happens.
- Voluntown, CT, USA
2007 Saturn Outlook with approximately 35670 miles on it suddenly began to jerk while driving down the street with 2 small children in the vehicle. I pulled over into a store parking space and was unable to shift into reverse to move the car. Had to be pushed out so that I could forward. GMC dealer discovered it was a broken 3.5R wave plate. After doing research I've discovered this exact problem is more widespread than GM is letting on (links below). GM is still not willing to acknowledge the extent of this problem which is affecting the Saturn Outlook, the GMC acadia and possibly other GM vehicles. Note: GM did cover the majority of the cost for this after 3 weeks of "negotiation" however, I believe this issue should be looked at for recall potential. www.saturnoutlookforum.net/index.php"topic=2396.0;all www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/P/35400391/2008-GMC-acadia-wave-plate-broken.aspx townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F171273"@guest@ townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F171273/364 www.edmunds.com/Saturn/Outlook/2008/consumer-discussions.html.
- Southern Pines, NC, USA
Car is bucking between 3rd and 4th gear. Sent it to dealer to be diagnosed. Could be wave plate problem that is common on this model car.
- Meriden, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond to acceleration attempts and when shifted into reverse, it would not engage. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the mechanic stated that the transmission had to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 146,000.
- Mandeville, LA, USA
- Irvine, CA, USA