2008 Saturn Outlook XR - Bad Cams ?!?

[Carlisle_Outlk]

Its been mentioned several times on this thread that satisfied customers are much less likely to post their experiences. I agree with that opinion, so in the interest of balanced reporting here's a post from a satisfied customer.

We ordered a Diamond White 2007 Outlook XR AWD (all options except second row DVD and towing package) in January 2007. It required about 10 weeks for the build and we took delivery from the dealer on March 24, 2007. The entire sales process was low pressure and very easy (thank you Saturn of Lowell). Since day one this car has been my daily driver. Its mileage is now just over 28k.

We often take our Outlook on weekend trips (skiing all over New England, camping in NH, VT, & ME, NY City for a concert or a show, up to Quebec City for the 400th festivities, etc...) and it has never let us down. It's big enough to take all of our skiing or camping equipment, it handles like a much smaller vehicle, and with the AWD it never comes even close to getting stuck.

During the last year and a half I've only had regular service and official GM campaign fixes done to the car (transmission reprogramming, drive train bolt replacement, power steering fluid top up, fix a seal in front of the driver's door, etc...) while it was in for routine service. I've never brought it in for an issue.

I recently received mail from GM telling me to bring it in to get heated windshield washer, windshield wiper arm, and rooftop drain issues fixed. I will certainly have them address these items the next time its in for routine service, but none of those issues are evident on my Outlook at this time.

Overall we are extremely satisfied with our choice and would definitely purchase this car (truck?) again if we had to do it over. Based on my experience I strongly recommend this vehicle.

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by Ryster

I have also been thinking about an Outlook/Acadia/Enclave/Traverse. Based on posts here as well as repair histories reported at truedelta.com it seems there are some things that GM still needs to work on with the Lambdas. It is a shame, because these vehicles offer a lot at a very good price.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. It is very disappointing. Call me a pessimist but with GM's current cashflow situation, I would not expect GM to be making corrective measures that would cost the company money.

The Outlook was at the top of my list but after seeing engine issues pop up on the 3.6L, count me out. As a former owner a GM with the dreaded 3.4L biodegradable engine, I won't ever buy a car with known engine defects. My 2nd choice is a 2009 Toyota Sienna, not as good looking as an Outlook but less of a risk to buy....

[page2171]

What I don't get is that I am haven't seen complaints of bad cams in other vehicles that use the 3.6, like the Aura and Vue. I am not saying that the problem doesn't exist, just that it seems weird. Regardless, I will be avoiding the Lambdas until they get this figured out.

[hitthebids]

I had this done. Took 3 trips to the dealer to even locate what the pblm was. They had to order parts, that took 2 weeks. Took an extra day to fix and when the gave me back the car the check engine light was still on. When i drove it right back in to the shop they found out that they had broken a porcelian sensor and guess what? It had to be ordered. From finally getting the pblm diagnosed till it was fixed was about a month. Plus the car still is not right. Are the belts make noise now and i think i have an oil leak some where. GM is no help. They should have taken these cars back. Never buying another GM car in my lifetime.

[ALWAYS V5]

I have seen it in two VUEs as well. The reason it is mainly in the Outlooks is that the supplier of the heads for the specific production run of Outlooks made the heads out of spec. It has been addressed and taken care of. Slow your roll man. It is a good engine, you don't have to flush the entire company because of a few thousand bad cylinder heads. You own something more advanced than the lunar module, mistakes happen to everyone, even the all mighty Japanese. Check this out: http://http://www.consumeraffairs.co...ettlement.html

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by ALWAYS V5

I have seen it in two VUEs as well. The reason it is mainly in the Outlooks is that the supplier of the heads for the specific production run of Outlooks made the heads out of spec. It has been addressed and taken care of. Slow your roll man. It is a good engine, you don't have to flush the entire company because of a few thousand bad cylinder heads. You own something more advanced than the lunar module, mistakes happen to everyone, even the all mighty Japanese. Check this out: http://http://www.consumeraffairs.co...ettlement.html

Agree, but try telling that to someone who forked over 30 grand and got the shaft? If it were me, I would be alot more vocal about it than that. When you pay that amount of money for an American car, it better be reliable.

[1993SC2]

all of this makes me wish everything was OBD1. Man, that's simple stuff... until compared with a briggs and stratton.

[chunda2]

Car was back in the shop again yesterday. I was noticing the hesitation of the engine again when I pushed on the gas (similar to what I experienced when the CAM issue started). They did the Transmission Software upgrade and said that would fix it. Also had theWindshield Wiper arms fixed (due to recalls). They weren't even aware of the 'Heated Windshield Wiper Fluid' recall...they are still researching that one.

My front headlight went out about a week ago and I asked them to fix it. Low and behold...ANOTHER KNOWN PROBLEM!

They have ordered another new wiring harness. I think this will be my 5th wiring harness!!! I've been told they are seeing this problem with quite a few Outlooks. Something else to add to the list.

[NRJIZED]

Originally Posted by chunda2

My front headlight went out about a week ago and I asked them to fix it. Low and behold...ANOTHER KNOWN PROBLEM!

As opposed to the rear headlight? What were you thinking when you typed this? Which front headlight?

[chunda2]

Oh for the love of... Are you kidding me? What was I thinking when I wrote that? I was thinking of all the people who have nothing better to do than respond with nonsense like this!

[NRJIZED]

Originally Posted by chunda2

Oh for the love of... Are you kidding me? What was I thinking when I wrote that? I was thinking of all the people who have nothing better to do than respond with nonsense like this!

Wow, got your undies ironed lately? Seems bunched up a bit. It was a bit of witty sarcasm at the fact that you don't have headlights on the back of the car. Sorry I couldn't take 3 seconds of my life to crack a smart one when given the opportunity. Carry on with your headlight on the back of your Outlook.

[Suzsanders]

The service dept couldn't figure out what was still wrong with my Outlook (surprise, surprise), so they place what is essentially a black box in my car. It is a cylinder shaped device that takes up one of my cupholders, and I have to push the big red button on the top when I have a problem so it can record any data the car is sending at that time--I thought the internal computer and OnStar were supposed to do that--silly me. On top of the traction control/stabilitrak problem, my Outlook has started sending me the message "Park Assist Off" (essentially that my parking brake is engaged). So, when I am driving 70 down the freeway or 35 down a country road, I never know when this message will come on and try to jerk me to a stop. I can't wait for snow and ice--accident waiting to happen. Naturally, when I took it in to the shop for the 4th time for a total (so far) of 28 days, the black box had recorded nothing so they didn't think that they could help me. What happened years ago when there were no computers on vehicles. Did no one ever get their car fixed because no technician could figure out the problem on their own!? This doesn't count towards the lemon law in IL because this is a "new" problem. If it was just based on service issues, my vehicle officially qualifies for the lemon law in 2 days!! Just what I expected from a $35,000 vehicle.

[chunda2]

I brought my car into the shop to have the 5th wiring harness installed. After waiting 2 hours I was informed they ordered the wrong harness. Of course! How silly of me to think it would actually get fixed the first time around!

Suz "This doesn't count towards the lemon law in IL because this is a "new" problem. "
The Lemon Law States:

(b) A presumption that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a new vehicle to its express warranties shall arise where, within the statutory warranty period,

(1) the same nonconformity has been subject to repair by the seller, its agents or authorized dealers during the statutory warranty period, 4 or more times, and such nonconformity continues to exist; or

(2) the vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair of nonconformities for a total of 30 or more business days during the statutory warranty period.

So even though they consider it multiple problems it would still qualify.

Have you called GM and opened a ticket with them? Worst case scenario you could get the extended 5 year bumper to bumper warranty from GM - which is what I got.

[rpasquarello2]

Here is an update. Head was replaced last year (5/2008) for a 3rd time for bad cams. Now (11/2009) the Outlook is again getting the head replaced because of, you guessed it, bad cams. Head #4 with about 21,000 miles on the truck. Now I am trying to get a replacement from Saturn for a totally new truck or a complete refund by invoking the threat of arbitratation and the Lemon Law in NY. Not too easy but have a call in with the Atty General's office to discuss. GM very sketchy and claims that the dealer (only 1 of 2 left on Long Island) is not helpful giving them any information about the problem and how it is being addressed.....