AI Damage2009 Saturn Outlook: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Saturn Outlook filed 192 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 192
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 39% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 22% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 75 complaints (39% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 44 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 42 complaints (22% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 19 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 17 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 192 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 75 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 42 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Shortly after, she heard a commotion outside and noticed that the vehicle had rolled away and struck another vehicle. The contact entered the vehicle, depressed the brake pedal, and inserted the key into the ignition in an attempt to turn off the engine; however, the vehicle failed to shut off.
I have had my outlook for roughly a year and a half ago now, and my power steering seems to go out when going a low speed and turning. It has caused me 2 accidents so far within months of each other, increasing my insurance to $460/mo.
Travel us hwy when encountering rain condition vehicle had rear wheel loss of control into hydroplane, when attempting to correct steering into skid the steering failed to respond as if no power steering. The vehicle cruise control was on until point of first applying brake.
Complaints were lodge with federal ftc against the dealership for failures to address recalls for safety equipment, (bags, seat belts, transmission etc) also state of michigan sos division for automotive regulation (secretary of state) complaint was also filed when purchasing vehicle from dealership patsy lou of flint…
Low beam headlights not working causing a safety hazard at night. Put in new bulb still not working. Wiring defective and melted. Could cause a fire hazard.
The contact stated that stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road.
I was driving and my car started to lurch and went into reduced power mode. I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. It was towed into the shop, and we found that the timing chain had broken. We had just had our engine mounts replaced and the oil changed. The vehicle has been well maintained.
I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden my car slowed down really slow I pulled over and turned it off. When I tried to turn it back on it wouldn't crank.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,118 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Outlook has 338 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 192, below average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Saturn Outlook?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, electrical system, steering. Total complaints: 192. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (34%), steering or power steering problems (16%), warning lights, check engine (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Saturn Outlook?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Saturn Outlook from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.