THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEPT FIZZING OUT. THE UNDERLYING CAUSE WAS A FRAYED AND MELTED WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS NOT ANY GOOD. THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT BUT SATURN IS AWARE. HOPEFULLY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT IF IT DOES I'M AFRAID THERE LIES A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. *TR
2009 Saturn Outlook electrical problems
moderate 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I NOTICE THE INDICATION LAMP IN THE DASH WHERE SPEED, TEMP AND DIRECTION IS LIT, FLASHES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO THAT WEBBING IN REAR SEAT BELTS DOES NOT RETRACT AND IS FRAYED THROUGH AND MAY RESULT IS FAILURE TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANTS. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ALL THE RECALLS WERE ADDRESS PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE (1 OWNER) BEFORE IT'S SELL TO ME THE CONSUMER. …
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 OUTLOOK IN AUGUST 2009 THREE TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR, THE BATTERY HAS GONE COMPLETELY DEAD. THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CAR THOROUGHLY AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY SAY THAT GM HAS PUT OUT A BULLETIN FOR AN "INTERMITTENT PARASITIC DRAW", BUT NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND TO DATE. THEY ARE SYMPATHETIC TO MY PROBLEM, BUT CAN NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL GM FINDS THE SOLUTION. *TR
DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS INOPERABLE. I TRIED REPLACING THE BULB, FUSE AND RELAY. FROM FURTHER INVESTIGATION I THINK IT IS THE SOCKET THAT IS BAD. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT THIS MANY MILES. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2009 Saturn Outlook?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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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