This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Outlook body problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 12 body complaints filed for the 2007 Saturn Outlook, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a power lift-gate that is inoperative from all the switches and the keyless entry transmitter only with the ignition in the off position. Technician will need to check for battery voltage on circuit 5985 going to the Engine Control Module and to the Transmission Control Module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty bulletin provides labor operation numbers for customer concerns that cant be duplicated.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician to replace the right hand lift-gate strut on 2007-2016 GMC Acadia and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook if a clunk or pop is heard. If the vehicle is an 2008-2016 Buick Enclave and 2009-2016 Chevrolet Traverse and If the struts are not weak and can hold the lift-gate open, the struts should NOT be replaced and this noise should be considered a normal condition. With the new strut installed the lift-gate noise should mimic levels currently heard on the 2009-2016 Traverse and 2008-2016 Enclave as some noise is still considered normal. Low ambient temperatures will still contribute to making this condition worse and the amount of noise ma
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Water leaks dominate the complaint history. Owners consistently report water pooling in floor wells and glove boxes during and after rain, with the problem recurring despite multiple dealership visits spanning years. Water enters via A pillars where they meet the roof and from the headliner; one owner had mold growing under the carpet. GM and dealerships have identified clogged sunroof drainage tubes as the culprit but have not provided permanent fixes—one owner resorted to a shop vac to remove standing water after a week-long absence.
Water also contacts airbag and seatbelt covers directly, causing safety concerns about electrical damage and potential deployment failure. One owner saw a "Check airbag" warning light appear after water intrusion.
Liftgate problems include electrical non-response to commands, unexpected slamming, and complete detachment. One owner involved in NHTSA recall 15V415000 (liftgate structure) reported the repair took excessive time due to parts unavailability, and the electrical malfunction persisted afterward.
One owner reported a fuel tank support strap breaking at the frame bolt during normal 40-mph driving, and another noted the liftgate automatically closes after opening—a pinch hazard.
Same Saturn Outlook body reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof drain blockage and water intrusion
Water leaks into the cabin during and after rain, collecting in floor wells, glove box, and headliner. Owners report multiple visits to dealerships for the same recurring issue, with GM acknowledging the problem is clogged sunroof drainage tubes but not permanently fixing it.
When: Recurrent during and after rain events; one owner reports 12+ years of annual dealership visits
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in passenger front footwell; Water filling glove box; Water leaking from A pillars where they connect to roof; Water dripping from headliner between windshield and door; Mold growth inside cabin; Wet carpeting and floormats; Interior steaming and ice buildup on windshield
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report clogged drain tubes as the cause; dealerships have attempted repairs but problem persists. One owner required shop vac to remove standing water.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM dealerships cite clogged sunroof drains; no permanent fix provided despite multiple service visits. No formal recall identified for this defect.
Electrical water damage and airbag/seatbelt concerns
Water intrusion directly contacts airbag and seatbelt cover assemblies, raising safety concerns about electrical damage and potential airbag/seatbelt deployment failure.
When: During and after rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Water pouring from airbag covers; Water pouring from seatbelt covers; Check airbag warning light illumination; Water leaking from airbag area A pillars
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in reported narratives; owners express concern about undisclosed electronic component damage.
Rear liftgate malfunction and detachment
Liftgate fails to respond to electrical commands, opens and slams shut without warning, or detaches entirely from hinges. One owner reported liftgate detachment under NHTSA campaign 15V415000, but repair parts were unavailable and recall service took excessive time.
When: At 79,000 and 110,760 miles; also reported at 197,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate fails to respond to electronic command; Liftgate opens then slams shut unexpectedly; Liftgate detaches from vehicle; No warning lights before or during failure
Repairs/costs cited: NHTSA campaign 15V415000 repair parts were unavailable; dealership diagnosed electrical failure but vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 15V415000 issued for liftgate structure defect; however, parts were not available timely and repair did not resolve electrical malfunction in at least one case.
Fuel tank support strap failure
Metal support strap holding fuel tank to frame broke at bolt while vehicle was in motion at moderate speed on a busy street, creating immediate hazard.
When: During normal driving at 40 mph; mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Metal support strap bolt assembly broken off from frame; Fuel tank support compromised while vehicle in motion
Repairs/costs cited: One owner mentions this occurred during a Takata recall service visit.
Liftgate automatic closure malfunction
After opening the liftgate, it automatically closes without operator input, posing a pinch/entrapment hazard. Owner notes unfamiliarity with whether this is a push-button electronic feature or mechanical fault.
When: Timing unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate automatically closes after being opened; Liftgate may close rapidly on occupant
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn outlook. The contact stated that she noticed that the lift gate failed to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v415000 (structure). The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15v415000 (structure) however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer where…
Had body trouble with your 2007 Saturn Outlook?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2007 Saturn Outlook?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 75,000 and 160,000 miles, with the median around 110,760. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 160,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Saturn/Outlook.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.