VEHICLE LOST SPEED ON FREEWAY AND DRIVER CONTROL PANEL LITE UP WITH ERROR MESSAGES (STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE REDUCED POWER, AND EMISSION CONTROL WARNINGS). ONSTAR RAN DIAGNOSTIC WITH MULTILPE ERROR CODES AND HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DELARSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE VALVE COVERS WERE LEAKING AND OIL WAS ALL OVER THE THROTTLE BODY. EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL ONLY OVER THROTTLE…
2008 Saturn Outlook powertrain problems
moderate 111 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
111
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND HAD GONE COMPLETELY OUT. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS WILL BE AROUND 3500 DOLLARS. THIS IS ABSURD CONSIDERING HOW NEW THE CAR IS. *TR
11/17/2016 REPLACED 2 TRANSMISSION IN TWO YEARS WITHIN A FEW WEEKS AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM REPAIR SHOP WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON 12/16/16 THE CAR STOP RUNNING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. DEALER STATES THROTTLE BODY WAS FREEZING DO TO CONDENSATION BUILDING UP WITHIN THROTTLE BODY STATED THIS IS COMMON IN THESE CARS. AGAIN GOT THE CAR BACK AFTER SPENDING A TON MORE MONEY GETTING IT FIXED HAD TO TAK…
ON NOVEMBER 28, 2013 WE EXPERIENCED OUR FIRST SYMPTOM THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT QUITE RIGHT ON OUR 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. UPON ACCELERATION OUR CAR STARTED TO REV EXCESSIVELY AT AROUND 35-40 MPH. WE WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SWITCH GEARS OK IN EVERY OTHER GEAR...BUT REALLY STRUGGLED WHEN IN THE LOWER GEARS. WE BROUGHT IT INTO TO SEE IF POSSIBLY IT JUST NEEDED TO HAVE T…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Saturn Outlook?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 111 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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