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Saturn Outlook Transmission Problems

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Comments

  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    hlcole1,

    No, it is not a recall, it's only a TSB or a Technical Service Bulletin notifying GM service departments of a known problem and how to deal with it. Judging by the number of posts on just this one forum regarding this well known issue, it make one wonder what it takes to trigger a recall for a potentially dangerous defect.
  • challenger7challenger7 Member Posts: 2
    I was sent an email that assured me someone from GM would contact me about my transmission issue, I sent my VIN and all necessary info and have not heard anything. I would really appreciate further assistance and wonder if there is anything more I need to provide, The email said I would be hearing soon and I am still waiting. Thanks for providing this forum to help owners and companies solve problems together.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Good morning challenger7,

    Did you email socialmedia@gm.com, or did you contact a different email address? Either way, if you wanted to send us the last 8 digits of your VIN I can check to see what's happening.

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    1st Step to a Recall: How to File a Safety Complaint.

    While speaking with the Attorney Generals Office, I was told that perhaps the transmission issue faced or facing many Outlook, Acadia, Enclave, and Traverse owners may be of interest to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is the agency that decides if a safety issue warrants a recall from the manufacturer.
    Help us all by looking up the following site and filing a safety complaint and tell your story. If enough of us register our tansmission problems, it may eventually lead to a recall of the transmission from GM:
    https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
  • chico53968chico53968 Member Posts: 9
    It's a obvious issue. I just replaced mine at 83,000 k and it wasn't even 4 years four years old. GM did nothing for me! Count me in!! I contacted a lawyer regarding this and it's a real issue but cause my transmission was replaced at a non GM dealer I couldn't get it lemoned under the lemon law. Maybe this will work. Thanks
  • hlcole1hlcole1 Member Posts: 4
    How do you go about trying to get a vehicle lemoned under the lemon law? I thought it had to be in for a certain issue several times? My is currently at a GM garage waiting on an answer about my timing chain or Camshafts being replaced. I am working with GM and the dealership. However, I would be interested in learing more about the lemon law because my vehicle has had everything possible replaced on it. It is an 07 outlook with 104,000 miles on it but since I owned it (bought it in 08 with 17,000) I have had several warrenty fixes and recalls done on it now it's back in the shop with transmission issues. To me, this would certaintly qaulify for a lemon but I am not sure this is even a possibilty seeing the age and mileage of it now.
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    Sorry to say that I don't know. Maybe at least the transmission issues would be part of a recall. You can research that and other complaints on the NTSHA website:
    www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
    Good luck, let us know if you have any results.
  • chico53968chico53968 Member Posts: 9
    I will see if I can round up the firm I dealt with regarding this. It is a issue and they actually contacted me a year ago but at that time I wasn't having issues. My transmission and water pump went at 83,000 mi!ridiculous! Ill try to get you the info. Are you in CA? Cause this firm is....
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    The NTSHA is a federal agency serving all US citizens. You can fill in your information on the website and write a paragragh on as much of the details as possible. It took about 3 minutes to do.
  • crewfan20crewfan20 Member Posts: 6
    My 2008 Outlook is in the shop again! April 2011 my transmission was replaced with supposedly a brand new transmission and now a year and a half later I'm having transmission problems again. I now have 94,500 miles on my car what happens if the transmission goes out again? There should be at least an extended warranty for the transmission, but I'm hearing there isn't. This is my third Saturn (GM) product, but I'm not sure I want to risk buying another in the future once I am able to get out of this one! (which won't be anytime soon)

    Another issue I've had is my airbags. I did the recall, but apparantly there was 4 error codes and GM only specified 2 in the recall so the other 2 will have to be fixed at my expense even though I never had problems until the 2 error codes from GM popped up. The airbags have never been deployed but I'm going to have to pay $987 to fix them. That is crazy, to me it sounds like a manufacture defect.

    I am very dissapointed in my GM experience!
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    We're sorry to hear that you are disappointed with your GM experience, crewfan20. If we can check into this situation further with you, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN, a summary of the situation, and the name of your GM Dealership).

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • crewfan20crewfan20 Member Posts: 6
    just sent you an email
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    Help everyone and yourself --- get on the NHTSA website and file a complaint!
  • frs929frs929 Member Posts: 51
    GM wont do anything for you I am sorry to say. Our 07 Outlook transmission was replaced at 87000 miles and 2 mo past the 5 yr warranty. Eventhough this a known problem GM did nothing for us. Good luck
  • mngmcarownermngmcarowner Member Posts: 7
    I'm also a GM vehicle owner of a 2008 Saturn Outlook XR AWD. My transmission just went out yesterday. :sick: also it is the holiday and that's my only vehicle for me and my families. I had contacted GM and this is what they told me:

    After looking into this further, I agree with the previous agent’s position that was made and communicated to you.

    We apologize we were unable to honor your request. Saturn looks at each situation individually and is unable to provide assistance at this time.

    If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our Saturn Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-553-6000. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

    Sincerely,
    Michelle, GM Customer Service
    michelle_renee@gmexpert.com

    After reading this from GM i was :mad: :cry: . it is the holiday and me and my family are stuck at home not able to do anything :cry:

    I am thinking about getting a class action, but I need more people out there to pitch in or sign a waver to get this class action going. I had told GM that my vehicle was not safe for the road and what GM does is turn their back on me and all the GM vehicle owner out there. :cry:
  • mngmcarownermngmcarowner Member Posts: 7
    My 2008 Saturn Outlook XR AWD, transmission went out on me yesterday :mad: :cry: . It's going to cost me 5k to get it repair. I had contacted GM about the safety concern on this vehicle and GM turn their back on me. I had also file a complaint thru https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/. I hope that with enough Saturn Outlook owner come fourth we could get this going with a class action. I am welling to contact any lawyer out their about the safety concern I have on these vehicle. This is my only vehicle for my family and it is Thanksgiving holiday too. :mad: :cry:
  • mngmcarownermngmcarowner Member Posts: 7
    As you may know it is now 2012 and I had just bought my 2008 Saturn Outlook a year ago. The transmission went out on me 2 days ago. I would like to know how was your arbitration hearing went and did GM do anything for you?
  • mngmcarownermngmcarowner Member Posts: 7
    So why is this vehicle still on the road and is still being sold out there? If GM already admitted to the unsafe and all the things that is wrong with this vehicle should GM recall this vehicle and have all these items being fix before putting the vehicle back to the dealer to have this vehicle for sale.
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    Thank you for taking the time to file a safety complaint with the NHTSA to force a recall of this transmission istalled in so many GM vehicles. After the trying situation my family has gone through with Matthews Auto Group and GM, we are sad to say that we see no options left to us than to involve third parties for resolution.
  • integrityplzintegrityplz Member Posts: 12
    Gm covered a portion of my transmission rebuild but only has a 12000 mile warrranty and still had to pay 1500 plus about 400 for new steering pump and sunroof still leaks. I work for a company that supplies parts to gm and I feel strongly about building a quality part as I would not want the potential for anyone to be hurt from my negligence I could not have that on my conscience but I guess it is more about the bottom line for them. Maybe I'll buy toyota next time look what they did after the problems with their vehicles a while back. That's why they keep such a good retail value. Great customer service and standing buy your products is what keeps people coming back . JUST SAYIN
  • lahaze1962lahaze1962 Member Posts: 1
    Happy thanksgiving. I too am sitting in a GM dealership because my 2008 Saturn outlook is having transmission problems. 88k miles and power train warranty expired 35 days ago. This car is such a lemon, every few months there is one problem of another.
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    Please go to the NHTSA website and fill out their quick questionaire so that we can force a recall of this bad transmission.
  • mngmcarownermngmcarowner Member Posts: 7
    This is what GM answer me for my transmission went out on my 2008 Saturn Outlook XR AWD. I told GM that my vehicle was not safe on the road and had sudden acceleration problem and this is what GM expert have to answer me with. "so my email could be read by GM and their employees and make joke and laugh at it". "No we know your vehicle is not safe on the road but we at GM does not care with happen to you or your love one and anyone else on the road".

    :mad: "SO GENERAL MOTOR COULD READ IT" :mad: :sick:

    As you were notified by my colleagues, we have received your e-mail about your concerns with your vehicle. They have been properly documented so many departments within General Motors can read it.

    Our position still stands that we have previous made and talked with you about. We apologize we are unable to honor your request as we look at each situation individually and we are unable to provide assistance at this time.

    If you feel you need further assistance you will want to call the number that was left on your voicemail of 1-866-790-5600 ext. 32977.

    Sincerely,
    Michelle, GM Customer Service
    michelle_renee@gmexpert.com
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    We're sorry to hear that you're having these troubles with your Outlook as well, lahaze1962. Please don't hesitate to contact us at socialmedia@gm.com if you would like for us to check into this situation further (include your name and contact information, a brief summary of the situation, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and the name of your dealership).

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • lookie11lookie11 Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2012
    well, thought i was out of the woods with the truck (Saturn Outlook 2008).. here i go again....back to the dealership with transmission issues. Just had my car on a lift and transmission is leaking again and service stabilitrak light coming on again. I had the transmission rebuilt the beginning of this year (Jan 2012). I've been keeping an eye on the posts after mine and it seems as though GM needs to really look into this problem and come up with a solution. I don't want a rebuilt transmission give me a new one....when it's rebuilt it's just band-aid. They just need to do a recall and be done with this....so many people complaining about this issue with miles way less then 100k. GM should stand behind their product and step up.
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    File a complaint which may lead to a recall:

    https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
  • lookie11lookie11 Member Posts: 14
    I think I will do that....thanks for the link
  • daplapdaplap Member Posts: 2
    2009 Outlook transmission died Thanksgiving morning, after sounding and acting rough in the week before. Driving home from the morning run it lost all but first and second gear. Wouldn't go in reverse at all. Towed to the dealership where they luckily said it's under warranty. Over the weekend heard about more than one other with the same model and the same problem in about the same timeframe (4 year old Outlook, 92,000 miles). Too many engine problems with this car.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Good morning daplap,

    We're sorry to hear that your Thanksgiving holiday was interrupted with this transmission problem on your Outlook. Please keep us updated on the progress of the repair!

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    There are three methods you can use to contact the NHTSA if you suspect a safety-related defect in your vehicle. You can take any (or all) of the following actions:

    Call the U.S. Department of Transportation's Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236 or (800) 424-9153, toll free from anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
    Report the issue online at the NHTSA's vehicle safety Web site: http://www.safercar.gov/
    Send a letter via U.S. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (NVS-210) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590
  • tierney60tierney60 Member Posts: 3
    I've had several transmission problem with my Outlook - Most recent a couple of months after warranty expired - fluid pressure switch in control module bad - to the tune of $1500 + have been getting nowhere with Customer Service ( is that an oxymoron ?? ) they keep telling me "Justin" is scheduled to call me between 4 - 6 pm. A long time GM customers is getting quite frustrated. Does anyone have any suggestions on getting this issue resolved ? Thanks
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    Be sure to pretend that you are happy, very happy, with them when they offer you the deal. It will be something similar to a 50/50 cost sharing or $3000 off of another vehicle. The deal is to make people happy and comes from the Happy Fund that is there so that loyal GM customers return after paying for defective transmissions to be fixed so that GM does not have to take responsibility for a poor design.

    So remember to be polite, lie about not having a problem with paying for their problem, and buy another car from them because now you should trust them.
    I am beginning to think that my former favorite car company got more from the politicians during the bail-out than just millions of our tax dollars. GM seems to have also borrowed a politicians sense of integrity --- honesty only when it suits their purposes.

    Myself, the car dealership has had my vehicle hostage for eighty days even though I have paid (under protest) for their $498 'diagnostic' which I did not authorize, has turned away the tow truck operator that I hired to take the Outlook to another dealership, and does not seem to care about having the Attorney General involved nor having a DMV Complaint filed against them.

    Yes, I did actually start out through proper channels, with a lovely woman named Heather from GM Customer Care (talk about oxymorons) who put me in touch with Matthews Auto Group of Vestal, NY to have the car diagnosed (drain the fluid to check for metal shavings). I am an easy going guy, known for being calm, but when someone from 'Customer Service' starts lying to me and wants me to lay down and happily fork over $1800 my attitude changed. GM Customer Care did not care about a dealership raking their name through the dirt or about the little guy, their customer for four GM products in twelve years. $1800 to the little guy is something worth fighting for. $1800 for the likes of Matthews Auto Group and GM is a nuisance and not worth Customer Caring about.
    My advice, stick with getting the transmission fixed at a GM dealership because that is the only way to get reimbursed when GM is forced to take care of their mess through a NHTSA mandated recall. Call your local Attorney Generals office to have your complaint on file, and go to the NHTSA website to help all Outlook, Traverse, Acadia, and Enclave owners get their transmissions fixed. If you have problem with the dealership, at least in NY, your greatest advocate (besides a lawyer) will be the DMV through a Repair Service Complaint.
    Smile, and don't forget the "Thank You" letter.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Good morning tierney60,

    Were you able to make contact with Justin? Let me know! I can check into your Service Request for further details if you have been unsuccessful in connecting with your agent.

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • tierney60tierney60 Member Posts: 3
    I haven't heard from him - should I email you directly ?
  • frs929frs929 Member Posts: 51
    If your warranty expired GM WILL DO NOTHING.
  • overwhelmed2overwhelmed2 Member Posts: 11
    Sarah, I have had my car in for service now 6 times for the same thing. Chugging while driving at around 50-60 mph and more. Each time they find something they think is the problem. Now after $2,000 spent on transmission and other so called fixes, I still have the original problem. But of course now out of warranty. Now they are saying that the cillendars are mis firing 1, 3 and 5 and causing that chugging, but want $3,500 now to fix what is now out of warranty on the drive train. Why did they fix a transmission if that was not the problem. I am really wondering if there was any problem at all to begin with. What a joke. They even ran the lift into my car while fixing it and I had to wait for that to be fixed and somehow while my car was there, now I have a broken engine mount. How much do I have to endure. Find me someone who will take this car and give me $3,000 towards a new car. I'll take it not to have to deal with this crap any more. :mad:
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    overwhelmed2,

    I didn't respond to one of your previous posts as you stated towards the end that you had obtained legal representation and I would not be able to assist. Is it still the case that you are working with a lawyer?

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • tierney60tierney60 Member Posts: 3
    Still haven't heard from Justin - I emailed socialmedia@gm with specific details and a Courtland advised that he would contact me this afternoon - still nothing - Can you please advise the name/email address of the manager of that department ? I'd really like this issue resolved- it's been going on for almost two months.
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    There are three methods you can use to contact the NHTSA if you suspect a safety-related defect in your vehicle. You can take any (or all) of the following actions:

    Call the U.S. Department of Transportation's Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236 or (800) 424-9153, toll free from anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
    Report the issue online at the NHTSA's vehicle safety Web site: http://www.safercar.gov/
    Send a letter via U.S. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation (NVS-210) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590
  • iamcyriousiamcyrious Member Posts: 1
    My wife and I own a 2008 Saturn Outlook XR with just a hair under 80K miles on it and within the last week or so we have started having some weird transmission issues related to shifting between gears. From 1st to 2nd gear the transmission seems to “slip” momentarily causing the engine to rev mid shift. It also seems to “clunk” very hard between 5th and 6th (overdrive). Occasionally, between other gears it seems to shift roughly, too. I have double checked the transmission fluid levels which are within tolerances, BUT seem to smell hot to me. One other thing I have noticed, is that when braking or putting the car in park, the transmission doesn't seem to fully disengage properly as noticed by the engine seemingly “lurching”. We are the second owners of this vehicle having only had it roughly two years. We have already had to replace the water pump under warranty, and have had it repaired under recall for various issues at least twice including issues with the airbags and I think the headlights if I recall correctly. We intend to take this to a GM repair facility tomorrow and hoping for the best, but I admittedly apprehensive after reading the 50 plus pages of complaints regarding the transmission and GM's apparent disregard for the issue.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    How did things go today during your visit, iacyrious? If we can check into anything further for you, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name, the last 8 digits of your VIN, and a brief recap of the situation so far).

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • outlookdriveroutlookdriver Member Posts: 26
    You may eventually get reimbursed for the repairs if a recall occurs.
  • frs929frs929 Member Posts: 51
    GM will never reimburse anyone, they are cheap
  • mawmawx3mawmawx3 Member Posts: 1
    Just got my 09 outlook out of the dealership shop today. It has 57,000 miles and I just bought in July. So far I had to have 2 front speakers replace, the torque converter replace (under warrenty) and it still was not right. Took back yesterday and had the transmission guy ride with me so he could feel the problem. This time it was the number 2 coil. They wanted to charge me $177 to fix. I raised the roof and the sales department paid for less than 1/2 the cost. I told them about how it was all over the internet about outlooks problems and how very unhappy I was with their car. Now I am wondering what else is going to go wrong after reading all the post. I have many more years to pay and am thinking should I dump the car especially before the warrenty on the transmission goes out. Truth be told I really like my car, just running scared now!
  • frs929frs929 Member Posts: 51
    DUMP IT
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    mawmawx3,

    How is everything running now that you have your Outlook back? If there's anything you would like for us to follow up with your dealership on, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include a brief summary, your name and contact information, and the last 8 digits of your VIN).

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • overwhelmed2overwhelmed2 Member Posts: 11
    Well after reading your post, sounds like what I have been going through the last year. I have owned my Outlook also a 2008 since 2010. I have been dealing with the slipping since around 80K miles also. I have been told it was many different things which I have fixed each time and GM refused to honor the warranty fully, I was told it was the transmission and they would have to completely tear it down for a 1/2 price $1,200. We paid the money and low and behold the car did the exact same thing again. We took it back now for the 6th time and they said they would have to restart the computer as if the car had never been run before and it would recallibrate itself after so many miles.

    Here I am again with the same chugging shifting problem and sometimes at a standstill lunging feeling. Finding out now that GM wants $3,500 to fix leaking seals. Gears 1,3,5 are leaking and causing this shifting and lunging, chugging problem. Why did they not see this in the beginning. It got so bad lunging that it set off the sensors with repair notifications on my dash.

    So I have paid a lot of money since 90k miles to find out that they will not cover the initial problem with my car and I am stuck now that it is out of warranty for the entire cost. I am taking this matter up with attorneys because this problem was under warranty way back when.

    Now I have a worthless car.
  • drslimdrslim Member Posts: 3
    We have a 2008 Satrun Outlook XR. The same thing was happening to us. My wife even rear ended me while stopped at a stop light. I couldnt believe the car would lunge forward so much with the break fully engaged. Well, the entire tranny finally died. The waranty just ended and we have a dead car in the driveway. Because there are only 2 places in Noth America to get a new Tranny from GM, the supply will be very limited very soon. I was told there are only 5 transmissions in all of North America for this vehicle, and there are no aftermarket supplies either. I was also told by the tranny specialist that this all stems from a $25 faulty spring. Cost will be over $3500 to replace what seems to have been a poorly manufactured transmission.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    drslim,

    We're sorry to hear about the transmission in your Outlook. It looks as though you may be working with your dealership to get this worked out; if you would like for us to check in with them at all on this, please contact us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN, and a brief summary of the situation).

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • frs929frs929 Member Posts: 51
    It cost us $3700 two months out of warranty. GM did NOTHING for us. I wouldnt expect anything from them
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