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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2010 Saturn OutlookRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2010 Saturn Outlook. Most complaints involve steering (7) and exterior lighting (6). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2015
Owner complaints
16
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Jun 30, 2015NHTSA 15V415000

Seat belts

Remedy pending

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.

Seat beltsReported May 20, 2014NHTSA 14V266000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 17, 2014NHTSA 14V118000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

16 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2010 – Aug 2019
  1. Steering7
  2. Exterior lighting6
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Vehicle speed control2
  5. Engine1
  6. Structure1
  7. Other / unknown1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Outlook model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007511
2008633
2009192
201016
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

7 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2019SteeringODI 11246016

Exterior lighting

6 reports
“MY 2010 SATURN OUTLOOK HAS 124,XXX MILES ON IT. I'VE OWNED IT SINCE JANUARY OF 2017. 2 OR 3 MONTHS AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I DECIDED THAT DUE TO HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL TO GET TO THE BULBS, I WOULD JUST CHANGE ALL 4 WHILE I WAS IN THERE. EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THEN I NOTICED IT FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. OR WHEN I UNLOCKED THE CAR IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. SO I BOUGHT ANOTHER BULB AND CHANGED IT AND IT STILL DIDN'T WORK. TOOK IT ALL APART AGAIN ONLY TO FIND OUT MY HEADLIGHT SOCKET HAD MELTED. SO I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT, INSTALLED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS GREAT. EXCEPT FOR NOW, A WEEK LATER, MY BULB QUIT AGAIN. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I CAN'T DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT MY HEADLIGHTS ARE GOING TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I HAVE READ AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT ONE TIME. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I AM NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY IF I HAVE TO SPEND TIME AND MONEY TAKING THIS TO THE SHOP TO GET SOMETHING SO SIMPLE FIXED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2017Exterior lightingODI 11012725

Electrical system

5 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2014Steering, Electrical systemODI 10574870
All 2010 Outlook problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlook AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Outlook FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Outlook AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Outlook FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Saturn Outlook as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 5672
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Outlook questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Saturn Outlook have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Saturn Outlook problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (7), exterior lighting (6), electrical system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Saturn Outlook get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Saturn Outlook at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026