2010 Saturn Outlook: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Intermittent loss of power steering when trying to park in a space in a parking garage. It also happened when turning in motion into a street off a highway while braking. Power steering fluid levels were full both times.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 saturn outlook. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the pedal was depressed. Ocassionally, the vehicle would abnormally accelerate without the pedal being engaged. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,243.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2017
“Engine light was coming on & off. After a couple days, the outlook had a loss of power. Had it checked & was told we had a timing issue with the 3 timing chains. The chains were stretched & one of the timing chain gears was one tooth off. They needed to be replaced. I was also told that there was a recall on the 2007-2009 saturn outlooks for the same problem but the 2010 models were not included. Why wouldn't the 2010 models be included? The loss of power happened on 9/30/16. Check engine light was coming on & off just a couple days prior to the loss of power.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“When turning right or left, typically at lower speeds, the steering nearly freezes up making it almost impossible to turn. I have taken the car to the shop - can't figure out what it is, and I have called my dealer - says it's no longer under warranty and no recall issued for this type of thing so I would be wasting my time to bring it in. The car is only at 90,000 miles and I'm afraid this issue may result in a crash and or injury to my family and I have no idea what to do. There is no leaking from any areas including the power steering pump and rack and pinion.”Owner report · Steering · May 2016
“Melted low beam headlight wiring harness. Bulbs have been replaced numerous times and now there is no low beam headlights at all. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2015
“When driving slow forward or back, when turning the steering wheel, it locks up then will come loose, letting you turn the wheel. I understand there is a class action suit against gm by the chevy traverse owners for this same problem. Case number is [xxx], filed 3/12/13. Since I have a saturn, that is a twin to the chevrolet traverse and gm acadia. I think I have the same problem they are having in the steering. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 saturn outlook. The contact stated that the ignition module failed, causing the vehicle to stall sporadically and without warning on multiple occasions. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after multiple attempts however, each time the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10v073000 (steering) but experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2013
“Recently my headlights have been burning out regularly. I have one go out each month while driving on the highway. This creates a persistent safety problem and is expensive to repair. The 2010 outlook requires the removal of the front wheels and wheel wells to replace the bulb. I understand from some research that there is a general problem with the wiring harness. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2012
“I have had numerous issues with power steering in my saturn. This is my family vehicle that I drive my children in and bought it with safety in mind. I am starting to believe the vehicle is very unsafe. Instead of gm fixing the problem they have taken no blame and are asking me to pay hefty bills related to the steering wheel. The car has had 3 steering gears and now needs a steering pump. I know many saturn owners are having the same issues. Please help, this is not fair to the consumer. We are being lied to so gm does not have to cover these costly parts. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2010
“This is the 2nd occurance of water spillage out of my head liner. Water leaking out of the rear back up indicator and down by the passenger side floor. When orginally occured brought to chev delaership to diagnose repair, told about old recall on models but my VIN did not fall with in the correct numbers, it was just outside of it. Gm customer service stated nothing they could do with me paying for the diagnositic first, and I was quoted over $500 by dealership to do so. Also, concerned about possible electrical issues since water damage in rear back up indicator and front fuse panels. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2010
Recalls - 4 campaigns
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Outlook by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Saturn Outlook reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Saturn Outlook. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2010 Saturn Outlook have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.