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Exterior lightingPart report

2008 Saturn Outlook Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
247about this part
Share
39%of 633 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 247 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Saturn Outlook, 39% of the 633 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 13 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Passenger headlight continually burns out. We have replaced the bulb several times. I have done this myself as well as had it professionally replaced at the dealer and the bulb continues to burn out after just a few weeks.. There has to be a short in the wiring causing this. I have searched online and it looks like I am not alone and this is a widespread problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10763598, filed 2015-09, 50,000 miles

“This is the third time in 2 years I've had a headlight failure with my 2008 Saturn Outlook. First incident occurred in 2010, and most recently a few days ago in jan 2013. There should be no reason for these headlights to fail so frequently. They need to be improved so it does not keep happening. It is a costly repair and could be dangerous if both fail while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #10493278, filed 2013-01, 24,000 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 miles

“The headlight burned out. When I went to replace it I noticed the wire was burnt. After reading on the internet, many people have this problem with Saturn Outlook. Should be a recall. I have 40, 000 miles and my warranty just expired. This is my wife's car, please don't wait until there is a fire or someone is injured to do a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10436481, filed 2011-11, 40,000 miles

“My passenger headlight turned off around 11/12/10, the bulb was replaced. Two weeks later the same headlight turned off again. I took it back to the chevrolet dealer and they want me to pay $285 to fix the problem. I don't think that its right to make us pay for something that is completely faulty. This is really serious and can cause and accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10368352, filed 2010-11, 56,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2010638%
20097539%
200824739%
200715430%

Other parts of the 2008 Saturn Outlook

Electrical system
164 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
127 complaints
Air bags
97 complaints
Body and structure
46 complaints
Steering
45 complaints
Engine
37 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
36 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Electronic stability control
20 complaints
Engine cooling
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Brakes
12 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Saturn Outlook

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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