Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I am usually persistent but I do not have any more energy to put into this issue. I just hope that others have better luck. My biggest concern is that someday it will shift incorrectly therefore causing an accident and/or harm. I used to have faith in GM/Saturn vehicles.
Peace,
Tracy
If you feel that it is not a hydroplaning issue and could be traction control, I would suggest taking your vehicle into your dealer of choice to have your concern looked into. Please keep me updated on your progress.
Christina
GM Customer Service
After the transmission problem that occurred yesterday and after what I'm reading on the web, I think we're in for a new transmission.
For those interested, my wife was on her way to take my daughter to see Disney on Ice when this problem started. The vehicle would accelerate, however, the front wheels would spin. Once I would get up to about 20 mph or so, the engine would keep revving, but the tranmission would disengage like I put the vehicle in neutral. The only way I could get moving again was to shut the vehicle off, restart and then put back onto drive. I had to do this about 20 or so times to get the vehicle home.
This sounds like a serious safety problem that GM needs to address. I see a lot of similar vehicles on the road, and I see an accident waiting to happen.
I think it's time for another vehicle after this repair if GM doesn't do anything for us.
Fortunately, my wife didn't get on the freeway and a potentially dangerous situation and they were only about 10 minutes late for the show.
I apologize for your experience. Can you please email me with your complete contact information including telephone number and mailing address, VIN, current mileage, as well as involved dealer? I would like to look into this further for you.
Christina
GM Customer Service
I don't know if this is covered under the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but we did receive an extended warranty from GM before the bumper-to-bumper warranty expired due to all the problems we've been having. That helpe to cover the loaner/rental. My wife was handed a bill (accidentally) for the transmission repair and it was about $3,100. While it did not show up on our bill, I think my wife said that the service advisor said the engine work was over $4k.
I contacted GM customer service and the regional manager for GM offered us $1,000 towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle. The regional manager said that they can't buy back the vehicle as it's past the original bumper-to-bumper warranty. I'm now in the process of filing for arbitration with the state attorney general.
My plan is to test it again the next time it rains. fyi: I had the Goodyear Frontera tires with 4/32 of tread, but the tire guy thought they might have been the original tires (55,000 miles) therefore replacing might help.
Try going with a non-goodyear tire and see what happens. Or, wait for a few days until we have rain and I will give you a better feel for the benefit of new tires.
If you would like to email me about your situation I would be happy to look into it for you. Please include your VIN and current mileage.
Christina
GM Customer Service
Since the time of those major repairs I have noticed that my driver side seat slightly moves when it should not. On top of that when I am driving and go to accelerate, it’s almost like the car hesitates and the engine jumps forward when it finally kicks in. I notice this mostly when I am driving on the highway. It does not happen every single time. But it at least happens several times daily. I am curious to know if you other unfortunate Outlook owners have this issue as well? If so, have you had this problem fixed? What was it? My car goes into the shop tomorrow to get the newest recall for the timing chain which requires a Calibration of the engine control module, including the engine oil life monitor. So they fix this issue and now I am required to get more frequent oil changes.
GM is useless to work with and I am really starting to believe that they could care less about their customers!
How were you notified of this recall? I have an 07 outlook and suspect that I have the same problem, but haven't received any notification...
First, the same problem with acceleration hesitation that started this thread. I mentioned my concerns to the sales dept., who told me that it would go away as the computer adjusted to my driving style, and that there were software upgrades that would take care of it. I should've known better than to trust the salesman.
Second, power steering failure after driving through several inches of water. It happened as I turned from one road to another, and as the vehicle didn't turn as expected, I had trouble wrestling it into the right lane, and almost had a head-on with oncoming traffic in the left lane. The dealer adjusted the flaps that are supposed to protect the power steering belts. The dealer assured me this will prevent a reoccurrence, but that doesn't reduce my anxiety about it happening again.
Third, I took the car in for an oil change, and without consulting me GM service tore down the engine and transmission. Imagine my surprise when I went back at the end of the day to pick up my car. After promising to have it back in three days, when I went to pick it up, it wasn't ready. I got it back in eight days. I'm now going to a different GM dealer 20 miles farther away.
Four, about a month after I got the car back the water pump failed (at 42k) while we (my wife and me and our two large dogs) were about 2 hours from home. GM covered all the repairs, but it was extremely inconvenient and I would have preferred it didn't happen in the first place.
Five, we had to stop driving the vehicle, nicknamed "The Stenchmobile," because mildew smell is overwhelming. We took it to our new service department, who found a leak at the rear hatch drained into the insulation below the cargo compartment. Waiting for parts. Estimated cost of repair is $800.
I have a Chevy pickup (2004), and drive another (2007) for work. Both have been great. Wish I could say the same for the Saturn Outlook. I feel like I really got taken when I bought it.
Have you checked your state's lemon law? I've been through most, if not more, of the same problems you have. You may want to make some phone calls.
As far as your driver's seat, we had a similar problem during the first year of ownership. It needs a new seat base. However, the problem has recently returned.
After being in the shop for almost the entire month of February, we are still having various problems as the check engine light comes on and off. What's interesting is that it only happens on weekends when the shop is closed and the light turns off by Monday morning. My wife took the vehicle in this past Wednesday and they checked the computer's memory. Apparently it's the transmission again. They can't do anything with it unless the light is on. I guess I (or my wife) have to wait to get stranded again.
For some reason, I don't think this latest recall is going to solve any of these problems.
Tricia, GM Customer Service.
If you are willing to help me please respond with a valid GM phone number and extension. I will not post any of that information on the web for all to see.
Anyone anywhere have any ideas on a fix for this??? :sick:
I wonder why recall notices didn't go out on the timing chain issue :confuse:
I apologize you did not have information about the recall. If you would like to provide me with your complete contact information and VIN I would be happy to update your information in our systems.
Christina
GM Customer Service
Are you taking your vehicle to a GM dealership?
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I would like to set up a case with GM Customer Assistance. Could you please send the VIN, current mileage, full name, address and best contact number for our records sent to me in an email? Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and have a great weekend!
Caron, GM Customer Service
Thank you we have received your email.
Christina
GM Customer Service
I also have the 09 Outlook, with similar performance issues. What I have done to resolve the issue is increased my oil change frequency. After I took it to my dealer for the issue originally, they performed some bogus circuit board replacement. I encountered the issue again shortly after. I just so happened to perform the oil change prior to going to the dealer a second time for the issue. The hesitation stopped.
I dont know anything about the recall either. I bought this car used last year from a dealership and feel taken advantage of since I was not told about this. Do they have a legal obligation to tell you? :lemon:
With the help of GM Customer Service, the Dealer took the car back in and replaced a spark plug they forgot to replace when they earlier replaced a faulty ignition coil which was keeping the 5th cylinder from firing.
Once that little forgotten issue was taken care of the car runs like a dream.
It was a little frustrating as this is the second issue we have had to have this 2009 Saturn in the shop for. The first was a headlight wiring harness that caught fire and had to be replaced...funny but it was not covered by any warranty and it was not a recall issue (even though the service person said she had taken in several Outlooks for the same exact problem).
I am hoping the car now runs without further issues, I really want to LOVE this car.
As for dealers and recalls..I would never buy a used vehicle without a Car Fax or other type of report which would tell you of any issues as well as any recalls and if they had been done.
Glad to hear your concerns have been addressed and resolved. Please feel free to email me with any other questions comments or concerns.
Christina
GM Customer Service
I would encourage you to get a second opinion from another GM dealership. I would be happy to see if your vehicle has a recall, just email me with your VIN.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
You can contact customer assistance at 1-800-553-6000. Hours: Mon to Sat, 8am to 9pm ET; Closed Sunday.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
In additon, I also have acheck engine light that will no go off. The servie departments make repairs often reprograming or replacing the plugs and wires, but by the next day the light is back on. The car wil be going back again this week.
My final problem is with the tracktion control. When it is cold or damp outside, the tracktion control warnign lights come on upon first starting, and remain on for about 2 miles. The light flashes that the traction control is off and to service the stabilatrack. This is another iussue the dealers can't seem to get right. this particular issue has been happing for about a year. The last dealer I went to for both the engine and stabiltrack issues told me everything was fixed, but when I picked up the car that night after work, the warnings came on as soon as I started the car. Unfortunately the service department was closed, so I had to take the car home.
Luckly, everything has been under warranty, but I starting to consider dumping this wreck of a car.
I had similar problem with my Saturn. After two timing chain replacements and many days in the shop, the cylinder heads were replaced. The Chevy service department that you're taking your vehicle to should be contacting GM headquarters in Detroit on this problem. That's what the Saturn and Chevy service departments did in my case.
I am also experiencing similar traction control problems even after the transmission was rebuilt. The problem is that the light does not stay on, so the service department can't determine the problem.
I also experience the same issue with the traction control. Everytime I bring it to the dealer the light goes out or if kept over night the light does not come on in the morning.
I just wish someone could figure it out.
Do you currently have a case set up with GM Customer Assistance? If so, could you please email me the case number? I would like to look further into your situation.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I would like to set up a case with GM Customer Assistance. In order to start the process I will need your complete contact information (including full name, mailing address and phone number), VIN, current mileage and involved dealership sent to me in an email. Also, could you please provide a brief description of the problems you are experiencing?
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
It appears your agent was waiting on a diagnosis. Please let me know if you made it in to the dealer and if your agent has followed up with you. Have a great weekend!
Christina
GM Customer Service
Based on the paper work they made the follwing repairs:
Axle - diagnosed bad seal, replaced and road tested
Transmission - road test and check fluid, no other work performed (gues its my immagination the car doesn't shift)
check engine light - caused by rear axle bearing (???)
traction control light - no montion of repair or diagnosis so I guess they figured this was caused by the axle seal
In addition they also state they did a 27 point inspection and road test and that I'm good to go.
Well, after I picked up the car, I managed to make it out of the dealers packing lot before the traction control light came on. I immediately brought it right back to the service department where they all looked at me like I was crazy.
WHY can't anyone fix this piece of JUNK. It appears GM services cars as well as they build them.