2008 Saturn Outlook Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 164about this part
- Share
- 26%of 633 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 164 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 26% of the 633 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Left driver door manual switch continuously malfunctions , absolutely does not give power to open any windows , lock or unlock doors , and enables your safety in dangerous exits . Locks have been locking when I exit my vehicle, locking my children locked inside of vehicle . Rear lift gate will fall on your head slowly and injured my forehead.”
NHTSA complaint #11315404, filed 2020-03, 136,400 miles“The truck ABS light came on and a fire started. I got everyone out and the fire blew up and everything burned down to the body. We had it towed by police to prevent a further fire. It looks like it started near the battery in the back of the truck . I had no problems prior to this happening . It just all of the sudden caught on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11051508, filed 2017-11, 130,000 miles“Every since I have had a recall fixed...my lights flicker on the dash and I have been having problems with the transmission seeming to stay in one gear. It was told to me that it may be a timing chain issue but it is not a recall. I have read numerous complaints in regards to this issue from other Outlook owners.”
NHTSA complaint #10586477, filed 2014-05, 171,000 miles“I was traveling about 60 MPH on hwy. Car shut off and back on, it was also raining. Smelt really bad like a fire. Went straight home, took car to shop the next day. The water leak I thought had been fixed was leaking into the electrical board caused a burn out while I was driving because it was raining.”
NHTSA complaint #10639028, filed 2014-09, 79,000 miles“The passenger side running light went out. I had the bulb replaced. About a month later the same light went out again. I had the light taken out and was told the wiring harness was melted and had caused the bulb to go out. So I now have to replace the wiring harness for that side. I have also been told by other Saturn Outlook owners that is a common problem with most of them.”
NHTSA complaint #10478499, filed 2012-10, 67,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V240000Jun 4, 2010Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009…Covers: Saturn Outlook 2007–2009, Buick Lucerne 2006–2009, Cadillac DTS 2006–2009 +15 more
- 08V441000Aug 28, 2008Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche…Covers: Saturn Outlook 2007–2008, Buick Lucerne 2006–2008, Cadillac DTS 2006–2008 +13 more
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Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Saturn Outlook
247 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
127 complaintsAir bags
97 complaintsBody and structure
46 complaintsSteering
45 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
36 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectronic stability control
20 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Saturn Outlook
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology