Saturn Outlook Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Saturn Outlook model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (16) and the 2008 the most (633).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 4 | Steering | — | 19 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
192 | 7 | Exterior lighting | — | 19 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
511 | 5 | Exterior lighting | — | 18–19 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
633 | 5 | Exterior lighting | — | 18–19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Saturn Outlook years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2008 Saturn Outlook: 633 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 247 (39%); Electrical system 164 (26%); Power train 127 (20%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 19 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Saturn Outlook: 511 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 154 (30%); Power train 128 (25%); Electrical system 115 (23%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 10 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Saturn Outlook: 192 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 75 (39%); Electrical system 44 (23%); Steering 42 (22%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
The Saturn Outlook years with the fewest complaints
2010 Saturn Outlook: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 7 (44%); Exterior lighting 6 (38%); Electrical system 5 (31%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,243 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Saturn Outlook: 192 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 75 (39%); Electrical system 44 (23%); Steering 42 (22%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Saturn Outlook: 511 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 154 (30%); Power train 128 (25%); Electrical system 115 (23%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 10 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Saturn Outlook owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79,243 |
| 2009 | 192 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 53,000 |
| 2008 | 633 | 6 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2007 | 511 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 70,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Saturn Outlook recalls
- HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT (2007–2009 model years; 1,365,070 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2010; 10V240000)
- Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail (2009–2010 model years; 1,339,355 vehicles across all models; filed May 2014; 14V266000)
- Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections (2008–2010 model years; 1,176,407 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V118000)
- HEATED WIPER WASHER SYSTEM (2007–2008 model years; 857,735 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2008; 08V441000)
- Liftgate Struts may Fail and Liftgate may Fall (2007–2010 model years; 691,144 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2015; 15V415000)
All 10 Saturn Outlook recall campaigns · Saturn Outlook problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Saturn Outlook years FAQ
Which Saturn Outlook year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (16). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Saturn Outlook years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2008, 2007 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the exterior lighting. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Saturn Outlook problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the exterior lighting (482 of 1,352 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Saturn Outlook have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Saturn Outlook. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Saturn Outlook recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.