8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,320
Average Mileage:
84,150 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace/rebuild transmission (10 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Saturn dealer.

problem #11

Apr 012019

Outlook XE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,500 miles

Oh man, GM just plain old SUCKS! I had the usual 35R Wave plate failure back in April of 2019. Guess what? The "Special Coverage" expired four months before this! Guess what GM told me? Dear sir, you at some point must take responsibility for your repairs! Really?

SO as my wife needs this thing to get the kids around, I paid $5337 t have it fixed. I have tried explaining to GM that this is a KNOWN PROBLEM, but they stated in the bulletin that I should not bring it in unless it fails! Assholes, yeah, it failed four months after the coverage ended, thanks for nothing. Didn't we tax payers bail this hot mess out of bankruptcy a few years back? Again, a KNOWN ISSUE, not something I caused or misuse, but simply GM not wanting to be proactive in fixing a defective product. I hope that all those front end people who block and protect the executives from the customers wind up in a hot place when they die. Yeah, keep reading from your rule books and policies, don't be compassionate and kind. Assholes!

- Tim S., Beacon, NY, US

problem #10

Aug 272013

Outlook 3.6 lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,037 miles

Bought car new in 2008. Transmission failed at 38,037 miles. Car was a few months out of warranty coverage. Dealer spoke with GM and they agreed to partially cover the cost to rebuild transmission. We paid 878.00 for the repair.

- Carole K., Kuna, US

problem #9

Nov 192018

Outlook 3.6 lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Rebuilt transmission failed after 27,058 miles and again needs to be rebuilt. GM will not help with any repair costs. GM knew of transmission issues and refuses to stand behind their products.

Very frustrated.

- Carole K., Kuna, US

problem #8

Aug 012018

Outlook XR 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

We have a 2008 Saturn Outlook w/ 1110,000 miles and it is my wife's truck ,which she loves because it is a SUV and I feel safer with her in it because it sits higher. But enough of the small talk, now it's time. I have seen that GM had many problem that they knew about with the transmissions. I am very disappointed in the product. It is a shame.

I come from a GM Family, my uncle and aunt were big wigs there and retired from there. I think GM needs to stand behind their product. Plus my parents just went and bought a brand new Suburban that is a $75,000 paper weight once there warranty runs out.

Now I'd like to hear from GM on this matter to see how or if they can care less. I can tell you this; if I don't hear something from GM, I'm done buying GM cars, trucks, vans, and anything else they deal with.

- Dave B., Davenport, IA, US

problem #7

Jul 072016

Outlook XR 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

Was on a road trip from the east coast to the west coast, with stops along the way. Near the Grand Canyon, while in cruise mode, when the Outlook was downshifting on a hill the rpm raced high and was never able to recover. Was able to make it to GMC dealer an hour away driving about 55mph, in what seemed like 4th gear. Reverse was shaky. Turned out there was a special coverage on the transmission waveplate, which has been failing on these vehicles. Took a week to get our vehicle back and we didn't finish our family trip. Couldn't trust the vehicle anymore so I sold it. There were many things I liked about the vehicle, but reliability is very important, like trust in a relationship. Five months earlier my gas gauge got stuck at a quarter, leaving me stuck on the highway with kids. Had the car less than a year.

- johnznc, Cary, NC, US

problem #6

Feb 132016

Outlook

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles

I own a 2008 Saturn Outlook since I bought this car i did have a problem wont take the speed when I pressed the gas paddle takes a 15-20 seconds to take the speed was scary specially getting in highway . I was waiting when it was no car coming so i can get in highway most of the time I had my kids with me and I was scared for their lives.

I did bring my car to the place i bought they couldn't find the problem and few more times at GM dealers still nothing they cant find the problem they made me look like crazy .

Now the transmission exploded i had to i got stock in middle of highway in PA i was scared for my life and my fiancés life people beeping getting angry was the worst day of my life if they did found wats the problem before i dint had to go through that nightmare but I think they didn't care enough for peoples safety

Now my car been at GM dealer for week no word they said will call me in 24 hours they never did I had to call them my self over and over and still nothin.

And the water motor exploded i had to fix my self and the washer fluid its not working so to all of you out there investigate the car you buy don't put your self in that position where you cant find answers for your car.

- Miradije E., Lincoln Park, NJ, US

problem #5

Jan 132016

Outlook XE 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,605 miles

It seems every time I turn around there's another issue with this car. Never thought the transmission would go on this car especially when the mileage isn't that high and the car isn't that old.

- Holly S., Mechanicsville, VA, US

problem #4

Jan 062015

Outlook XE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

I am IRATE!!! We just spent over $2000 to fix the rack pinion and power steering on this vehicle in July and now we've had complete transmission failure with no warning. For a GM product this is beyond disappointing! My wife and kids we alone on a busy thorough fair and were nearly missed by speeding drivers multiple times. The car just stop moving with no warning and then the check engine light illuminated? None of the gears would engage. How can a car with only 61,000 miles and seven years old have complete transmission failure?????????????? Very disappointed in this cheaply made GM product. This again, like the rack and power steering pump is a common problem according to the dealer. The dealer has estimated the repair to be $6800!!!!!!!!!! outside of the dealer, no one wants to work on these vehicles.............GM needs to look into this and make it right.

- ssmitchell48, Aurora, CO, US

problem #3

May 022014

Outlook XR 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

I believe this transmission should have worked longer.

- Daniel H., Carney, OK, US

problem #2

Sep 012014

Outlook V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,380 miles

102000km should not be the life of a transmission!!!

- coulombe, Edmonton, AB, canada

problem #1

Jun 012014

Outlook XE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Took car to a GM dealer about 6 months ago because the trans was missing, dealer said this was normal for this type of trans. 6 months later took back to dealer after trans went out, asked if this was normal? Answer yes, these cars have a trans. that are known for going bad. Cost at this point was est. between $2,100 and up to fix and $4,000 for a new one. My next question was did GM fix the problem so that this would not happen again (dealers answer not sure but we can sell you a warranty just in case it does.) I'll not buy a GM car again.

- Tom C., Fenton, MI, US