2007 Saturn Outlook Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Saturn Outlook most often describe headlights that quit working, usually traced to a melted or burnt wiring connector at the low-beam bulb, and automatic transmissions that slip or lose gears, frequently attributed to a broken wave plate inside the transmission. Air bag warning lights, water leaks from the roof or sunroof onto interior electronics, and intermittent power steering loss in wet weather also come up repeatedly in the sampled complaints.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlight out (melted wiring harness)

   • 163 complaints (32%)
   • median 58,337 mi at 4.2 yrs old (140 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $550 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2025

   Owners describe one low beam going dark, sometimes recurring within days of a new bulb. On inspection, the connector or pigtail at the bulb is found melted, charred or burnt, and owners report that replacing the bulb alone does not help. Complaints mention dealer quotes to replace the harness or the entire headlight assembly, and some owners note the harness was replaced more than once or was no longer readily available. Usually reported between roughly 30,000 and 70,000 miles, with some as low as 10,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn on the low beams and check both sides, then look at the bulb connectors for melted plastic, discoloration or a burnt smell; ask whether the headlight harness or assembly has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife have a 2007 Saturn Outlook and the drivers low beam headlight went out. I accessed the lamp assembly and found the harness had melted. It is crazy the way it is constructed and so hard to have access, my wife is scare this thing can initiate a fire in the car with very dangerous consecuences....please recall this suvs to fix it.....thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10383853, filed 2011-02, 82,000 miles

   “Both headlights (low beams) go out at random times and come back on at random times. One or both headlights could be out at any given time. I had one bulb replaced at a cost of $94, however it hasn't fixed the problem. This is especially an issue at night when headlights are needed for driving. I have tried using the manual on/off for the lights, but it doesn't work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10331099, filed 2010-05, 46,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slips or loses gears (wave plate)

   • 117 complaints (23%)
   • median 78,900 mi at 6.6 yrs old (106 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 25 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Complaints describe harsh jerking or slipping, the engine revving without the vehicle accelerating, and losing gears such as second, third, fifth or reverse. Several owners say a dealer diagnosed a fractured wave plate inside the transmission with debris damaging other internal parts, leading to a rebuild or replacement. Some report the transmission was replaced or rebuilt and then failed again later. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 120,000 miles; a few appear under 10,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and through several upshifts and downshifts, watching for slipping, delayed engagement or a check-engine light; ask for transmission service records and whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were driving when all of the sudden our transmission started to shift erratically. When we were at a stop sign, I went to pull out and relized that we had lost the first 2 gears and were almost hit by an on coming vehicle when the car failed to move at the right speed. This is a problem that needs to be dealt with before some is injured or killed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10395400, filed 2011-04, 52,745 miles

   “We had just left clear springs recreation area in mississippi and were heading west on hwy 84 as we slowed down to get ready to turn onto south hwy 33 the car suddenly jerked, downshifted and then the engine RPM's spiked. So drastic was our decrease in speed that cars behind us making the same turn were swerving to avoid us and each other. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10538349, filed 2013-09, 81,387 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Water leaks from sunroof or roof onto interior

   • 85 complaints (17%)
   • median 71,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (70 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $640 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2024

   Complaints describe water dripping from the headliner, dome light or around the air bag and seatbelt trim after rain, soaking seats and floor areas. Owners report drain lines being cleared or extended and hoses resecured, with leaks returning later. Some link the moisture to electrical faults such as warning lights, dashboard dropouts and door lock problems. Reported from about 60,000 to 200,000 miles, typically after heavy or prolonged rain.

   What to check: Check the headliner, visors and floor carpets for water stains or dampness, look at the sunroof drains, and ask whether the drain lines have been serviced or extended.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My first issue is that everytime it rains, water leaks from the sunroof. The area around the sunroof will be soaked and dripping down into the seats and down to the floor. Also my liftgate does not work. I have to manually lift it all the way up and down. I can hear the gears turning but they don't work.”

   NHTSA complaint #11172449, filed 2019-01, 160,000 miles

   “I have a 2007 Saturn Outlook whis is leaking water in through what I assume is the sunroof. My son, who was sitting in the third row of seating (back seat) noticed water leaking from the dome light. The water was also noticed in other areas of the vehicle throughout the drive. I have also started noticing electrical issues with the vehicle not that the rain has come in as well as water stains from other such issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #10653981, filed 2014-11, 140,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering cuts out in wet weather

   • 60 complaints (12%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2022

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn, sometimes for several seconds, often after driving through a puddle or in rain, with a whining noise from the steering area. Complaints mention repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix, and that the problem later occurred on dry roads as well. Some also report a whine from the steering column when turning. Reported from about 20,000 to 90,000 miles, frequently in wet conditions.

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering has ever cut out, listen for whine while turning the wheel at idle, and check the belt and power steering components for wear or fluid residue.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving in a moderate rain storm today, 6.1.12, at 35 MPH, the steering on my vehicle locked up and froze after driving through a puddle. This has occurred several times in the past few years, but I do not recall the exact dates so I will report today's date only. The steering wheel would eventually free and return to normal operation after about 10 seconds. Also, there is a loud whining noise from the steering block and under the hood when this occurs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10460232, filed 2012-06, 68,000 miles

   “While attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel locked up for a few seconds. I had no control over the vehicle. This has happened several times and it has always been in wet, rainy weather. It appears that water is splashing on the belts which causes a temporary loss of steering. While researching the problem, I've come across several other owners who have had the same issue. Gm has not offered a solution, since my dealership cannot 'replicate the problem' while the car is in service. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10374410, filed 2011-01, 56,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light on, passenger bag disabled

   • 78 complaints (15%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (58 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $960 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners report the service air bag light staying lit and the passenger air bag showing as off regardless of whether someone is seated there. Dealers reportedly traced it to a fault in the passenger presence sensor in some cases, with repair estimates around a thousand dollars. Some owners mention a prior air bag recall was performed but the warning returned. Reported from about 70,000 miles upward, often past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 07V062000

   What to check: With the ignition on, confirm the air bag light goes out after the bulb check and that the passenger air bag indicator reads on when someone sits in that seat; ask whether recall 07V062000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2007 Saturn Outlook xr and my service airbag light remains on at all times and my passenger side airbag wont turn on no matter who sits in it or any position. I have seen a lot of complaints about this same issue and feel their should be a recall on the 2007 Saturn Outlook's.”

   NHTSA complaint #10840096, filed 2016-03, 115,000 miles

   “I was driving my 2007 GM Saturn Outlook. The airbags all deployed at the same time. Gm has had my car for investigation for over a month and refuses to pay for a rental. I have neck injury and have been undergoing physical therapy. I had an mri done on friday. They keep giving me the runaround and I have been out thousands and thousands and my car just sits while they do nothing but ask me to send proof of out of pocket expenses etc. I sent receipt for rental and she sent an email requesting the method of payment that I used. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10282427, filed 2009-08, 40,000 miles

Buying note. These complaints point to two areas worth budgeting for: the headlight harness and the automatic transmission, both of which owners describe as recurring and costly to repair. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a highway test drive, a check of both headlight connectors, and a look for water stains inside the cabin would be a sensible step.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.