Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Saturn Outlook problems

Owners filed 511 complaints about the 2007 Saturn Outlook with NHTSA between May 2007 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (154).

Complaints
511
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Exterior lighting154
  2. Power train128
  3. Electrical system115
  4. Air bags88
  5. Steering60
  6. Structure36
  7. Engine27
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)21
  9. Visibility14
  10. Vehicle speed control12
  11. Seats9
  12. Equipment8
  13. Service brakes5
  14. Visibility/wiper5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20078
200812
200912
201084
201180
201241
201381
201463
201542
201626
201713
201817
201921
20205
20210
20222
20231
20242
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Exterior lighting

154 reports5 fires
“Passenger headlight dim. Grand Street Batteey and Electric replaced bulb and states voltage to connector is good.the vehicle is available for inspection. Headlight is not bright enough to utilize at night as it should be for owner or traffic. No warning lamps light up on instrument panel.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11671172

Power train

128 reports2 crashes2 fires
“While driving, the car will automatically shift into 1st gear. Steering will then be disabled to the point of crash. Transmission/computer issue. Major issue with Saturn Outlooks.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2022Steering, Power trainODI 11470781

Electrical system

115 reports3 fires2 related recalls
“When it's cold I get frost inside my vehicle I replaced my windshield because I thought air was getting inside to cause the frost but after getting it replaced same issue water is leaking in and causing moisture and causing my vehicle not wanting to start because it's doing something to the battery”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11566629

Air bags

88 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that the air bag, the traction control, and the electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after opening the liftgate with the power liftgate button, the liftgate unexpectedly lowered, and struck her on the head. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice. The contact had head pain, but medical assistance was not required. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 07V062000 (Air Bags) and 15V415000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2024Air bags, Structure, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11624026

Steering

60 reports1 crash
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I DROVE INTO SOME WATER ON THE ROAD AND LOST STEERING. THE WHEEL BECAME VERY VERY HARD TO STEER. THEN IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY. TONIGHT, DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN AND WENT THREW A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE ROAD. LOST STEERING ABILITY AND HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT MAKE MY TURN FOR THE STEERING WAS SOME HARD. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL WHEN I WENT THREW THIS PUDDLE OF WATER. THE SHOULD BE A RECALL A.S.A.P. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11217320

Structure

36 reports1 related recall
“HI! I RECENTLY BOUGHT A CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP CALLED EPB AUTO. THE CAR I PURCHASED WAS DESCRIBES AS HAVING NO RECALLS NOR OTHER PROBLEMS BESIDES THE ABS LIGHT (WHICH I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER WOULD GO OFF WITH NEW TIRES) ON AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE DEALER SPECIFIED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WAS JUST THE GAS CAP. WHICH HE CLAIMED THAT THE MECHANIC READ WITH HIS COMPUTER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS, ALSO CLAIMED HE'D REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. WHICH HE DID NOT. I TRIED TO CALL TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION. HE CLAIMED THE MOBILE MECHANIC WON'T BE ABLE TO COME OUT UNTIL MONDAY. MY WHOLE VITALITY RELIES ON THAT VEHICLE AND I CANNOT FIND A MECHANIC THAT WILL FIX THE RECALLS. PLEASE HELP! RECALLS INCLUDE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER, WINDSHIELD, LIFTGATE, AIR BAG SENSORS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2020Air bags, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11323133
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.