repaired · 2018 Q2
Body: hatchback/liftgate
Risk. If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
2009 Saturn OutlookProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 192 owner complaints about the 2009 Saturn Outlook, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-415 the manufacturer reports only 77% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 7, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Saturn Outlook has problems
192 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
75Exterior lighting3 crash/fire/injury
44Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
42Steering2 crash/fire/injury
19Power train1 crash/fire/injury
17Engine
8Seat belts
8Vehicle speed control
7Air bags
6Structure
2812 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 75 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 44 | 3 |
| Steering | 42 | 2 |
| Power train | 19 | 1 |
| Engine | 17 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 1 |
| Air bags | 7 | 2 |
| Structure | 6 | 2 |
| 12 other systems | 28 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2009 Saturn Outlook recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Seat belts
Risk. If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags: side/window
Risk. Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
no report yet
Seat belts
Risk. THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
no report yet
Lever and linkage: column shift
Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH…
no report yet
Rear/other: buckle assembly
Risk. IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE RIVET IS MISSING, THE BUCKLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING STRAP, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.
Mileage at failure
When do exterior lighting problems start?
39kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 60 exterior lighting complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.
14under 30k miles57under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
12 owners mentioned a cost$1,451median
Middle half: $1,100 – $1,825
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Outlook year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Outlook median. How we score
'07'08'09'10
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Saturn Outlook safety ratings
2009 Saturn Outlook 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Saturn Outlook, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of Headlamp IlluminationNo recall
- Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable FailureLed to recall 21V-245
- Seat Belt Anchor Cable FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Outlook owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT RANDOMLY AND THIS VERY UNSAFE AS I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 YOUNG CHILDREN! I HAVE HAD IT FIXED 4 TIMES! THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, I WAS TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS KEEPS MELTING. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND MANY OTHERS ARE ALSO HAVING EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE.
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS, AND BULB REPLACEMENT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC SAID THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS MELTING OF THE LIGHTING ELECTRIC HARNESS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, THE ROAD IS NOT ILLUMINATED AS MUCH MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD.
Own a 2009 Outlook?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.