2009 SATURN OUTLOOK Steering Problems
44 complaints about Steering
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Steering Complaints (44)
I bought this 2009 Saturn Outlook yesterday from a used dealership they said there was nothing wrong with the car well I live over 100 miles away from where I bough it and about halfway home it’s it was dark outside I was driving on the highway going up a hill the motor was acting like it wanted to jump out f the car (I’m not sure exactly how to describe it) anyways it only did ur for just a second then stopped all went back to normal and today just died while driving and now it wont start wont even turn over
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP I WILL SAY EXPLODED FLUID EVERYWHERE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER TURN AT ALL I'M 6'1 270 ATHLETIC AND COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL...I HAVE READ SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME POWER STEERING ISSUE AND AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE...
Mileage: 126,000
DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING AT LOW SPEED
WAS DRIVING 60MPH WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER ON A HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. ALMOST CAUSED US TO WRECK BUT WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL ISSUED. PULLED INTO A SHOP WHEN WE GET INTO TOWN AND FLUID IS FULL, IT'S NOW AT THE DEALER BEING DIAGNOSED.
Mileage: 90,500
TAKATA RECALL. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THERE WAS A STUDDER WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 60MPH. TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION. IT ALSO GET STUCK AND IS HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN TURNING AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. LOOKING AT REVIEWS ON THIS VEHICLE, I SEE BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMMON WITH THE SATURN OUTLOOK AND SHOULD BOTH BE IN A RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND VARIOUS PARTS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,700.
Mileage: 108,700
THE POWER STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT LOW RATES OF SPEED.
Mileage: 88,000
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. ONE WAS BACKING UP, IT STOPPED TURNING AND IT BACKED INTO A VEHICLE, AND THE OTHER WAS PARKING, IT STOPPED AND I SCRAPED AGAINST ANOTHER. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. I'M IN FLORIDA AND WE ARE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT/RIGHT ON GREEN. GOD FORBID SOMEONE IS SPEEDING WHILE I'M DOING A U-TURN, BECAUSE THEY WOULD DEFINITELY SMACK INTO ME SINCE IT'S SO HARD TO TURN. I AM QUITE SURE I HAVE THE MUSCLES I DO FROM TRYING TO TURN MY VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS THE MOST PARKING, U TURNS (OR SLOW TURNS IN GENERAL), BACKING UP, AND 3 POINT TURNS.
Mileage: 65,000
LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS. GM REPAIR SHOP SAYS IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT RACK AND PINION STEERING NOT COVER EVEN THOUGH THE TWO ITEMS CONTRIBUTE TO EACH OTHERS FAILURE.
Mileage: 119,000
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. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED RAVINE AT FRONTAL IMPACTOF GRILL ATB HIGH SPEED THEN FLIP SIDE OVER SIDE WITHOUT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. DRIVER,PASSENGER SIDE, PASSENGER/DRIVER-SIDE OF SEAT, OR PILLAR POST AIR BAGS FAILED. THE YELLOW AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON AND BELIEVED TO BE NORMAL. AFTER PRESSING ON-STAR , EMERGENCY CONNECTION FAILED TO WHICH ON-STAR CLAIMS ANTENNA MUST OF BEEN DAMAGED, THOUGH PHOTOS SHOW INTACT. ON STAR COMPLAINT ABOUT FAILURE OF SYSTEM BEEN ON GOING SINCE PURCHASE. COMPLAINT WITH FTC, STATE OF MICHIGAN SOS (SECRETARY OF STATE) AND DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE DEC 24 2014 SAFETY ISSUES TO INCLUDE: FRAYED SEAT BEL,T POWER STEERING SLOPPY AND NOISE, REAR SUSPENSION. DEALER AGREED TO ONLY ADDRESS SEAT BELT, AND REPLACE REAR CONTROL BUSHING ARM ON ONE SIDE. SUFFERED SEVERE NECK, SPINE COMPRESSION FRACTURES, HEAD, KNEE, ANKLE, TWISTED INTESTINE FROM SEAT BELT, LACERATION TO TORSO AND OTHER INJURIES REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION. GM CONTACT AND OPENED COMPLAINT FILE FOR VEHICLE FAILURES
Mileage: 120,908
THE POWER STEERING IS LOUD AND HARD TO CONTROL AT LOW SPEEDS. I JUST TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER THAT SAYS BRING IT IN AND HAVE THE POWER STEERING CHECKED, BUT THEY SAID IT WAS MY GEARBOX LEAKING AND IT WOULD ONLY BE $1600.00 TO REPLACE IT NOT ONLY THAT THEY CHARGED $70 TO TELL ME THAT.....THIS IS AFTER THE $4500 TRANSMISSION I JUST HAD REPLACED....ALL THE OTHER SATURNS ARE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, THEY NEED TO TAKE BACK ALL SATURNS AND GIVE DISCOUNTS TOWARDS ANOTHER CAR...THESE ARE GARBAGE....THANKS *TR
Mileage: 84,000
THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS MELTS IN THESE VEHICLES CAUSING THE LIGHT TO FAIL, THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET ON VARIOUS FORUMS. EARLY THIS MORNING MY WIFE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER FOR HAVING ONE WORKING HEADLIGHT, I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK, INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET LEAD ME TO DISCOVER MELTED WIRES ON THE LIGHT FIXTURE, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION, IT FAILS PREMATURELY AND MY OUTLOOK IS ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT ALSO HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS FAILING, ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER SAFETY SYSTEMS THAT NEED RECALLED ON THIS PIECE OF GM JUNK PILE. I HAVE A WIFE, AND BEAUTIFUL TWO YEAR OLD TWIN GIRLS, WHO USE THIS VEHICLE FREQUENTLY, SHAME ON GM FOR PUTTING THIS THING ON THE ROAD, THE WHOLE THING SHOULD BE RECALLED AND SHREDDED FOR SCRAP, OWNERS SHOULD BE FULLY REIMBURSED THE CURRENT VALUE OF VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN TURNING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED STEERING GETS HARD MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TURN. DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MAKE ANY TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MAKE ANY TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
ON 4/30/2012 MY PURCHASED NEW 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK BEGAN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A WORN OUT STEERING GEAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HAD THIS REPLACED AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR ONLY 3 YEARS AND WITH ONLY 40,226 MILES. ON 10/2014, WHILE STEERING, A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE OCCURRED WHILE EXHIBITING DIFFICULTY TURNING. AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS AND REPLACED THE BAD STEERING GEAR WITH ONLY 71,183 MILES. THE SAME REPAIR IN TWO YEARS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM INDICATING THAT SOME 2009 SATURN OUTLOOKS MAY DEVELOP A POWER STEERING PUMP WEAR CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE AN INTERMITTENT DROP OF POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC PRESSURE THAT WILL CAUSE REDUCED OF LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST. I INQUIRED WITH THE DEALERSHIP OF A CORRELATION WITH THE REPAIRS I EXPERIENCED AND OF COURSE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NONE. I WILL BE LOOKING TO CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ESCALATE MY CONCERNS. HOPEFULLY IT HELPS. WE LOVE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS TROUBLE FREE, BUT IT HAS BEEN AN ENDLESS NIGHTMARE WITH MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR NUMEROUS OTHER REPAIRS. LUCKILY THE OTHERS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WERE REPAIRS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NEEDED UNTIL MUCH LATER IN THE VEHICLES LIFE TIME. *TR
Mileage: 40,226
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND FAILED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. ALSO, THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT A WIRE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,948.
Mileage: 80,948
POWER STEERING ASSIST GOES OUT AT LOW SPEEDS IN MY 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK CAUSING POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN TURNING AND PARKING. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS IN THE RECENT MONTHS, BUT THANKFULLY HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET. THE ISSUE IS DANGEROUS THOUGH AND I PANIC EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TURN ON A BUSY INTERSECTION. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER GM CARS, INCLUDING SOME SATURNS, BUT NOT MY PARTICULAR MODEL. MY CAR HAS NOT EVEN REACHED 100,000 MILES YET. PLEASE CORRECT THIS ISSUE FOR ALL KNOWN VEHICLES, GM.
Mileage: 85,000
THE CAR HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY HARD TO STEER AFTER BEING IN A PARKED POSITION. ONCE YOU MOVE IT OUT OF A PARKED STATE THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT BUT WHEN YOU BEGIN TO DRIVE IT IS OKAY. *TR
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN COMING OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY THE MAKE A SMOOTH TURN. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I HAD TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN LEFT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT ACROSS THE STREET. THE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT PRODUCE A FULL TURN OF MOVEMENT, JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE. ONCE I WAS IN A LANE I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL HAD A RESISTANT FEEL TO IT. DURING MY DRIVE I ALSO NEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WITH THE RIGHT TURN, I NOTICED THAT MAKING A TURN INTO THE LEFT LANE FELT LESS RESTRICTIVE, BUT IT STILL REQUIRED UNUSUAL EFFORT TO MAKE A TURN. EACH TIME I MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN I WAS PREPARED FOR THE FEELING OF LOST POWER AND PREPARED TO USE FORCE TO MAKE MY TURNING SUCCESSFUL. THIS OF COURSE IS NOT WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO OCCUR WHILE TURNING A VEHICLE. I HAVE MADE THIS ISSUE KNOWN TO SATURN CUSTOMER CARE. *TR
Mileage: 108,000
JULY 6, 2014 ? RPM / MPG AS I WAS IN THE HOV LANE I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I COULD HEAR THE CAR TRANSITIONING, BUT THE RPMS AND MILES PER HOUR DID NOT MATCH. AT 3300 RPM THE CAR WAS STUCK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT THE NEEDLE WAS STILL ON 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR RANDOMLY JERKED AS IF IT WAS PUSHING ITSELF FROM BEHIND. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE RPM WAS 2200 AND THE MILES READ 20 EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT MOVING. IN ADDITION, I HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS WHEN I BEGAN DRIVING AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP OF THE GAS HAD BEEN USED. *TR
Mileage: 108,000
WE BOUGHT A USED 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK .IT WAS "CERTIFIED", IN SEP. 2010. FROM GUARANTY CHEVROLET IN JUNCTION CITY OR. IT HAD 27872 MILES ON IT. A MONTH LATER I NOTICED A CLUNK IN THE STEERING AT THE END OF TURNING. WE RETURNED THE SATURN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT IS COMMON IN THE SATURN AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. AT 52000 MILES THE POWER STEERING WOULD OCCASIONALLY BE VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER MAKING A STOP, BUT ONCE GOING IT WOULD BE OK. ON JUNE 30 2014 WE TOOK IT TO CAPITAL CHEVROLET DEALER IN SALEM OR. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE POWER STEERING GEAR WAS GOING OUT AND IT IS GOING TO COST US $1800. TO FIX IT. WE HAVE TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VERY SAME THING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. I HOPE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS $1800. *JS
Mileage: 52,000
VEHICLE TURNING AT LOW MPH WAS DIFFICULT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE STATING THE SEALS IN THE RACK AND PINION SEALS WERE LEAKING AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED - $1,400. *TR
Mileage: 44,500
GM SAID THE POWER STEERING RACK IS LEAKING AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1900. *TR
I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE GMC DEALERSHIP FOR A LEAKING WATER PUMP. AFTER THE INSPECTION, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING FLUID AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1,465 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR. THE SERVICE PERSON WE SPOKE TO SAID THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF THE SATURN OUTLOOKS AND MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT FIXING IT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF THEY ARE FREQUENTLY SEEING THIS ISSUE APPEAR, WHEN DOES THIS BECOME A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A GM CAR AND WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HIGH NUMBER OF RECALLS ALREADY ON OUR VEHICLE. I AM ASKING THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE POWER STEERING RACK INTERNAL SEAL LEAK ON THE SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES TO ENSURE THIS ISN'T A MORE PREVALENT PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 43,632
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHENEVER MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ
Mileage: 61,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHENEVER MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ
Mileage: 61,000
I PURCHASED MY SATURN OUTLOOK IN JUNE OF 2009 AND STILL ENJOY DRIVING IT BUT RECENTLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING THERE IS A "THUD" NOISE AND STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT NOT EVERY TIME. I ALSO HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO LOCK THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH DOOR LOCK BUT CAN LOCK IT FROM REMOTE KEY OR USING THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK AND NOW THE WINDOW CONTROL HAS STARTED TO WORK AT RANDOM. THIS TOO IS ONLY WHEN USING THE DRIVERS CONTROL. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN OPENING. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MIGHT BE ON A BIND. I DID TAKE MY CAR TO DEALER WHEN THE LOCK STOPPED WORKING AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A PART THAT WAS OVER A $100 +$100 LABOR JUST TO TELL ME IT NEEDED THE PART. THIS WAS BEFORE THE WINDOW STARTING ACTING UP AND THE DOOR BEGAN MAKING LOUD CREAKING NOISE. ANY ADVICE IS APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR
PURCHASED CAR USED IN 2012. PROBLEMS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH LATER. FIRST WINDOWS STOPPED ROLLING DOWN AND SIDE MIRRORS UNABLE TO BE MOVED. WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THAT FIXED IN APRIL OF 2013, EXCEPT THE MIRRORS, THEY FAILED TO FIX THOSE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS MAKING A SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN PRESSED. WAS ALSO FIXED IN APRIL 2013. A SQUEAKING OR GRINDING SOUND STARTED WHEN TURNING ALONG WITH A LOUD METALLIC SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, STUFF LIKE THAT. IN APRIL 2013, THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. ALL THIS WAS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE SAME THINGS WERE HAPPENING. A GRINDING SOUND WHEN I TURN, BRAKE SQUEAKING AGAIN, THE SAME SOUND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS AND LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP, UNABLE TO HAVE IT SEEN FOR A MONTH. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN, IT WAS WELL OVER THE PARTS WARRANTY AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS OUT. NOW THE SAME THINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED, PLUS THE ENGINE MOUNT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT I TRIED TO GET MY VEHICLE IN WHILE THE WARRANTY WAS STILL VALID, THEY OFFERED TO PAY $750, LEAVING ME TO COVER THE OTHER $956. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THEM TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHY MY CAR DOESN'T START RIGHT AWAY ONLY AFTER I PUT GAS IN THE TANK, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH GAS IS ALREADY IN THE TANK. I AM GUESSING THAT IS SOME SORT OF FUEL PUMP PROBLEM, BUT I'M NOT A MECHANIC. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY LEFT REAR BLINKED LIGHT TWICE IN UNDER 6 MONTHS. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE, I DON'T DRIVE IT OFF-ROAD OR OVER POT HOLES AND I DON'T HIT CURBS. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANY REASON FOR THESE ITEMS TO BE FAILING LIKE THEY ARE, EXCEPT THAT THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE THAT GM DOESN'T WANT TO ADDRESS. *TR
11-16-12 REPLACED POWER STEERING COOLER @ 91236 MILES 01-08-13 REPLACED POWER STEERING COOLER PIPE/HOSE--DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE PROBLEM @ 91450 MI. 01-28-13 SECURED POWER STEERING FITTING & BLED SYSTEM @ 92694 MI. 02-06-13 REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP & PURGED AIR FROM SYSTEM @ 92866 MI. 04-02-13 REPLACED POWER STEERING RACK @ 93530 MI. 09-20-13 REPLACED POWER STEERING LOW PRESSURE HOSE (AGAIN) @ 98739 MI. 03-08-14 REPLACED POWER STEERING COOLER (AGAIN!) @ 103187 MI. *TR
Mileage: 91,236
COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST, VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS (I AM A 6'-1" MALE IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE). NEARLY CAUSED CRASH DUE TO INABILITY TO TURN AT LOW SPEED. EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AS NORMAL DRIVER IS MY WIFE WITH OUR 2 KIDS IN THE VEHICLE, I AM CERTAIN SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE GIVEN THE DIFFICULTY I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL. TOOK TO NEARBY TRUSTED, LICENSED MECHANIC, AFTER DIAGNOSIS FOUND THAT NEEDED NEW POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND LEARNED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK IN THIS AND "SISTER" GM VEHICLES. I VERIFIED THIS BY FINDING NUMEROUS SIMILAR POSTS IN ON-LINE FORUMS. MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AT A COST OF $1,100. I FEEL LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, AND NOW UPSET THAT THERE IS SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM OUT THERE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURIES AND IS COSTING CONSUMERS BIG $ TO REPAIR. *TR
Mileage: 132,000
OUR 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK WAS PURCHASED NEW IN FEB 2009. THE SQUEAKING NOISES IN THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED AT 11,171 MILES. WE HAD IT SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. THE SQUEAKING PERSISTED AND WE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP DECEMBER, 2009 AT 12,000 MILES. THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE PART IN THE ASSEMBLY SO THEY FLUSHED THE FLUID AND REPLACED THE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY. THE SQUEAKING PERSISTED AND WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER FEB 2010 AT 16,940 MILES AND THEY AGAIN LUBRICATED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE SQUEAKING RETURNED AUG, 2010 AT 20,621 MILES AND THE STEERING GEAR WAS FINALLY REPLACED. THE SPEAKING RETURNED IN LATE 2011 BUT WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND DECIDED TO DEAL WITH IT. THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY AS I WAS MAKING A U-TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, KIDS IN THE CAR. I ALMOST CRASHED. THIS WAS LATE 2013. IT WAS "REPAIRED" OUT OF WARRANTY "INTERNAL FAILURE IN PWR STEERING PUMP POSSIBLE DUE TO METAL FROM OLDER STEERING GEAR. REPLACE PWR STEERING PUMP. FILL/BLEED SYSTEM." <REALLY!?!?> THIS COST US $1100 TO REPAIR AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL SQUEAKING. FILING COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. CONTACTED GM AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE. *TR
Mileage: 12,170
I TOOK MY 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK XE TO THE GM SERVICE CENTER YESTERDAY ONLY TO FIND OUT AT 45000 MY STEERING RACK AND PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT $1300 +. ALSO, MY TIMING CHAIN IS GONE. MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR FOR THE SECOND TIME AND LASTLY WHEN I TURN ON MY DEFROST IT COMES OUT AT MY FEET. THE AIR AND THE DEFROST I AM STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN GM GET AWAY WITH THIS. I HAVEN'T EVEN REACHED 50000 MILES AND MY CAR NEEDS CLOSE TO $5000 IN REPAIRS. GM NEED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES AND PUT OUT A RECALL ON THE STEERING RACK BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. PLEASE, SOMEONE DO SOMETHING. *JS
Mileage: 45,800
I TOOK MY '09 SATURN OUTLOOK TO ROYAL AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP ON 7/2/13 TO CORRECT ANOTHER (NOW THE 4TH) RECALL AND TO HAVE MY STEERING ISSUES CORRECTED. THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP CONSTANTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING NEEDED STEERING GEAR AND PUMP REPLACEMENTS AT A COST OF $1436. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION ARE HAVING THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS YET GM REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I SUPPOSED THEY ARE WAITING ON A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. AFTER WORKING WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, I AM STILL UNABLE TO GET HENRY PARKER AT ROYAL AUTOMOTIVE IN ALABAMA TO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE NATION, I WOULD THINK THIS WOULD NEED TO BE ANOTHER GM RECALL BECAUSE OF THE HIGH NATURE OF A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IN DRIVING THESE CARS. *JB
Mileage: 65,000
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WE HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. IT IS MOST PREVALENT WITH DEEPER TURNS, SO IT HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS U-TURNS AND IN PARKING LOTS. THE LOST OF THE POWER STEERING GIVES THE DRIVER THE SENSATION OF A COMPLETE LOST OF STEERING. A LOCAL MECHANIC CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHO TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON SATURN OUTLOOKS, BUT HAVE HAD SEVERAL BUICK ENCLAVES WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMENDED CHANGED THE TYPE OF POWER STEERING FLUID, AND IF THAT DID NOT WORK THEN WE MAY NEED TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF POWER STEERING PUMP ON THE VEHICLE. SO FAR WE HAVE CHANGED THE FLUID, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN A SUCCESSFUL SOLUTION AS THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *TR
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN NOVEMBER OF 2012. NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOISY (A SQUEAKY NOISE). EVENTUALLY WHEN I DO U-TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STIFF BUT STILL MANAGEABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT'S TOTALLY STIFF TO TURN. THEN LATELY MOST OF THE TIME WHEN GOING IN AND OUT OF A PARKING LOT IT SEEMS I TOTALLY LOST THE POWER STEERING OR PERHAPS THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP BECAUSE IT'S REALLY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. BROUGHT IT TO A FORMER SATURN DEALER AND THEY SAID THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK IS BUSTED AND NEEDS TO GET REPAIRED. THEIR QUOTE TO REPLACE THE PARTS AND LABOR IS ABOUT $1,500. *TR
Mileage: 98,800
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING FAILS AND IT IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO COMPLETE TURNS. AS THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL OCCUR. NUMEROUS CUSTOMER FORUMS WITH SATURN OUTLOOKS/GMC ACADIA AND BUICK ENCORE INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH EITHER POWER STEERING FLUID, POWER STEERING PUMP OR STEERING RACK. THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC ON WINDING ROADS WITH HAIRPIN CURVES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A STEERING FAILURE AND THE STEERING SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Mileage: 5,000
I HAVE A SATURN OUTLOOK, 2009 MODEL YEAR WITH 15,600 MILES ON IT. AFTER I PARKED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. I COULD NOT TELL WHERE THE FLUID WAS FROM, ALTHOUGH I KNEW IT WAS NOT OIL. I SUSPECTED POWER STEERING FLUID OR BRAKE FLUID. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVY DEALER FOR INSPECTION / REPAIR. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE HOSE WAS LEAKING AT THE CONNECTION TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT. THE DEALER CALLED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY ( GENERAL MOTORS) AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR MINUS A $100 DEDUCTIBLE WHICH I HAD TO PAY. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS GESTURE BY GENERAL MOTORS, HOWEVER, THIS TELLS ME THAT G.M. KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS POWER STEERING HOSE ON MANY VEHICLES, AND THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO AVOID A RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. MAYBE I AM WRONG IN MY ASSUMPTION, BUT I THINK IT IS WORTH LOOKING INTO FOR A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR DESIGN ON THIS HOSE OR CONNECTION. THE LEAK HAS GOTTEN WORSE DAILY. IT WAS LEAKING MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE SPOT OVERNIGHT. IT WAS LEAKING ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY EMPTY THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR (SPELLING?) DURING A LONGER TRIP THAN JUST LOCAL ERRANDS. I COULD NOT FIND THE POWER STEERING UNIT TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL ON THIS VEHICLE, SO I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF IT WAS NEARLY TOTALLY EMPTY OR NOT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR THE NEEDED REPAIR. IF IT WERE TO EMPTY OUT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE LOST THE CAPABILITY OF POWER STEERING UNEXPECTED TO THE DRIVER. *TR
Mileage: 15,600
I BROUGHT A SATURN OUTLOOK IN 2009 AND HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS BEEN DETAILED IN THIS WEBSITE. - BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK - ONE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY & COST OF SECOND ONE REIMBURSED BY GM UNDER THE RECALL - STARTER FAILED - COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - FAILED WATER PUMP AT 73K - I PAID FOR REPLACEMENT - STEERING GEAR AND PUMP REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE STEERING LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEED @ 78K MY THIRD VEHICLE BUT FIRST GM AND THE EXPERIENCE WITH SATURN/GM HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATING. I SEE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURE ON THIS MODE. DOCUMENTING THESE VEHICLES FOR FUTURE USE OR POSSIBLE HELP FROM GM OR DOT. *TR
Mileage: 78,000
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WE HAVE LOST THE POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE. IT IS MOST PREVALENT WITH DEEPER TURNS, SO IT HAPPENS MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS U-TURNS AND IN PARKING LOTS. THE LOST OF THE POWER STEERING GIVES THE DRIVER THE SENSATION OF A COMPLETE LOST OF STEERING. A LOCAL MECHANIC CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHO TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON SATURN OUTLOOKS, BUT HAVE HAD SEVERAL BUICK ENCLAVES WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY RECOMMENDED CHANGED THE TYPE OF POWER STEERING FLUID, AND IF THAT DID NOT WORK THEN WE MAY NEED TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF POWER STEERING PUMP ON THE VEHICLE. SO FAR WE HAVE CHANGED THE FLUID, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN A SUCCESSFUL SOLUTION AS THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *TR
Mileage: 55,000
OUR OUTLOOK HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED DUE TO A HIGH PITCH SQUEAL WHEN ACCELERATING. THE DEALER ALSO HAD TO CORRECT AN ISSUE WITH SQUEAKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE NOW HEARD OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE OUTLOOK OR ACADIA. ARE THESE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED? *TR
Mileage: 35,000
OWNER NOTICED A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALER DIAGNOSED A FAILED STEERING RACK (PINION), LEAKING POWER STEERING PUMP, AND LEAKING WATER PUMP. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2009 AND CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES (NO LONGER UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY). *TR
Mileage: 37,000