Saturn Outlook problems
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Saturn Outlook model years
Common Saturn Outlook problems
The Saturn Outlook, a mid-size crossover SUV produced between 2007 and 2010, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from car owners. Here are the most frequently mentioned issues in detail:
- Transmission Fault and/or Check Engine Light: The Saturn Outlook is known to have transmission issues, with many owners reporting a check engine light accompanied by codes P0716, P0776, or other related codes. These codes often indicate transmission faults, which can lead to a variety of issues, such as slipping, jerking, or hesitation during acceleration. In some cases, these problems may require a complete transmission replacement.
- Air Pressure Issues: Some Saturn Outlook owners have reported problems with tire pressure monitoring systems, indicating low or high tire pressure, slow leaks, or flat tires. This issue can be caused by faulty sensors or other components in the tire pressure monitoring system.
- Electrical Problems: Electrical issues are another common problem in the Saturn Outlook, with many owners reporting flickering or malfunctioning lights, radio problems, and cars that stay running even when the key is removed. These issues can be caused by faulty wiring, blown fuses, or other electrical components.
- Steering Issues: Some Saturn Outlook owners have reported steering problems, including difficulty turning the wheel or vibrations while driving. These issues can be caused by faulty steering components, such as steering racks, tie rods, or power steering pumps.
- Engine Problems: Engine issues are also common in the Saturn Outlook, with many owners reporting engine stalling, hesitation, or rough idling. These issues can be caused by faulty fuel injectors, spark plugs, or other engine components.
- Airbags & Seat Belts: Some Saturn Outlook owners have reported issues with airbags and seat belts, including airbags that fail to deploy or seat belts that fail to retract properly. These issues can be caused by faulty sensors or other components in the airbag and seat belt systems.
- Sunroof Leaks: Some Saturn Outlook owners have reported leaks in the sunroof, which can cause water damage to the interior of the car. These issues can be caused by faulty seals or other components in the sunroof system.
In conclusion, the Saturn Outlook has several common problems based on complaints from car owners. These issues include transmission faults, air pressure problems, electrical issues, steering problems, engine problems, airbags and seat belts issues, and sunroof leaks. It is important for Saturn Outlook owners to be aware of these issues and to address them promptly to avoid more serious problems down the road.
What years of Saturn Outlook to avoid?
Worst Issues
- 2008 Outlook transmission went out 11 (100%)
- 2009 Outlook weak power steering pump, difficult at low speeds 5 (45%)
- 2008 Outlook won't go into gear 4 (36%)
- 2007 Outlook power steering went out 3 (27%)
- 2007 Outlook transmission failure 2 (18%)
Is the 2009 Saturn Outlook a good car?
Thanks to its spacious dimensions and class-leading cargo space, the Outlook can easily serve as a respectable minivan replacement. And the Outlook's all-wheel drive and respectable towing capacity ensures SUV-like versatility.
Is the 2010 Saturn Outlook a good car?
Among the 213 owners who provided feedback on the 2010 Saturn Outlook for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mostly positive, with 85% recommending the vehicle. As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's comfort and styling to be its strongest features and value to be its weakest.
Is a 2008 Saturn Outlook a good car?
Edmunds says
With its pleasant ride, comfortable seating in all three rows and spacious cargo hold, the 2008 Saturn Outlook offers a mix of comfort and versatility rarely found in SUVs.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Saturn Outlook years
We have researched Saturn problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Saturn Outlook cars and compiled the top 4 most problematic Saturn Outlook model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Saturn Outlook model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Saturn Outlook years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Saturn Outlook car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Saturn Outlook , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Exterior lighting problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Air bags problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Saturn Outlook vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Outlook model years
A total of 16 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Outlook model years
There were a total of 32 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Outlook model years
There were a total of 20 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1349 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Saturn Outlook . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Saturn Outlook vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Saturn Outlook 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-07
- VIN: 5GZER23D39J
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the timing belt had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under GM Campaign Number: 10287C since the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Saturn Outlook 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-20
- VIN: 5GZEV13757J
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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
Saturn Outlook 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-08
- Date Complaint: 2023-12-23
- VIN: 5GZER23D69J
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was driving and my car started to lurch and went into reduced power mode. I quickly pulled over and turned off the engine. It was towed into the shop, and we found that the timing chain had broken. We had just had our engine mounts replaced and the oil changed. The vehicle has been well maintained. I have seen the issue with the timing chain failure is a common problem in Saturns/GM from internet research. It looks like there was a service bulletin to bring the car in if Service light comes on and you “think” it’s due to premature wear of timing chain. Now we are told the engine needs to be replaced because it was damaged by the timing chain failure and it seems like a known defect that should be covered because it exceeded the value of the car to have such a fix.
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-07
- Date Complaint: 2023-11-14
- VIN: 5GZEV23758J
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Over this summer I went to start my truck and all the airbags pop out expect for the steering wheel air bag and dashboard air bag
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-03
- Date Complaint: 2023-10-03
- VIN: 5GZEV33798J
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: This has been a big problem for all Saturn owners. The transmissions are always going out in them. This transmission is starting to slip. I’m surprised there is no recalls. Very disappointed.
Saturn Outlook 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2022-02-17
- Date Complaint: 2023-07-08
- VIN: 5GZER137X7J
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I HAVE A WIRE THAT BURNED-OUT AND IT CONTROLS MY WINDOWS, SUNROOF,MY AC CONTROLS, AND THEN ALSO MY TRANSMISSION IS SHUTERING
Saturn Outlook 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-12
- Date Complaint: 2023-03-06
- VIN: 5GZER13D49J
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: UNKNOWN We have only had this vehicle for approximately 4 months and have had soon many issues but the electrical system has been a problem non stop
Saturn Outlook 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-30
- Date Complaint: 2022-07-30
- VIN: 5gzev23d59j
- Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: I bought this 2009 Saturn Outlook yesterday from a used dealership they said there was nothing wrong with the car well I live over 100 miles away from where I bough it and about halfway home it’s it was dark outside I was driving on the highway going up a hill the motor was acting like it wanted to jump out f the car (I’m not sure exactly how to describe it) anyways it only did ur for just a second then stopped all went back to normal and today just died while driving and now it wont start wont even turn over
Saturn Outlook 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-23
- Date Complaint: 2022-06-23
- VIN: 5gzer23797j
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-26
- Date Complaint: 2022-04-26
- VIN: 5GZEV23768J
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: airbag sensor on passenger seat stays off even when passenger is in seat. I have read many complaints from same vehicle since they were new. Also has electrical issues intermittently possibly from water leaking thru sunroof
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2022-02-01
- Date Complaint: 2022-02-09
- VIN: 5GZER23738J
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wiper failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with windshield wiper motor failure. The contact was informed that the windshield wiper motor cover assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V609000 (Visibility) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 197,357.
Saturn Outlook 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2022-01-27
- VIN: 5GZER13777J
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I just purchased this vehicle & on my way home with it the check engine light came on. I hooked up the diagnostic code scanner on the car and it threw several different codes PO700, PO752, PO420. There are specific transmission issues with this particular year, make, and model. My car has the exact same symptoms as the others that were recalled so why has mine not been recalled as well? It's malfunctioning just as the others described in the recall so clearly this is a common issue with these particular vehicles. I feel my car should be covered as part of the safety recall on the transmission and I need it repaired as soon as possible.
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2018-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2021-09-25
- VIN: 5GZER23768J
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: UNKNOWN
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2021-04-30
- Date Complaint: 2021-08-31
- VIN: 5gzev33788j
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the airbag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the MDS was not communicating with the airbags. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Saturn Outlook 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-25
- Date Complaint: 2021-08-26
- VIN: 5gzer13798j
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Outlook. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that all 4 tires had started cracking along the tread. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15T002000 (Tires) however, the tires were not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,692.
Latest 5 recalls Saturn Outlook
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 21 recalls for different components of the Saturn Outlook.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Saturn Outlook 2008
- Report Received Date: 2015-06-30
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
- Model: Saturn Outlook 2009
- Report Received Date: 2015-06-30
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
- Model: Saturn Outlook 2010
- Report Received Date: 2015-06-30
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
- Model: Saturn Outlook 2007
- Report Received Date: 2015-06-30
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
- Model: Saturn Outlook 2010
- Report Received Date: 2014-05-20
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
Latest negative Saturn Outlook car reviews
Latest positive Saturn Outlook car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2007
Looks great! The ride is solid and I love the XM radio. It has the extra width that compares to riding in a full-size pick-up, but handles more like our VUE.
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Vehicle year: 2008
Best vehicle my wife and I have ever owned PERIOD. Absolutely no trouble, and the dealership is outstanding. They even wash the car for free after each oil change and tire rotation. I still take my car there for maintenance even though they were forced to become a dealership for Hyundai, which unfortunately I cannot purchase as I am American!
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Vehicle year: 2007
I bought my Outlook in 2088, it only had 16 miles on it. Today it turned over 111.000 miles. This has been the most reliable vehicle. I do a lot of driving and I have never had to have this in the shop beside for regular maintenance. Love this vehicle!
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Vehicle year: 2007
I was really impressed with how the vehicle handled during an emergency maneuver. It was so stable and had no blind spots, which is surprising for something so large. The seats are all easy to fold and move with just one touch, which is really convenient. The ride is also very quiet. I found the back seat to be comfortable enough for a whole 12-hour trip. The fuel economy has been great for me, averaging 21.5 mpg on the highway with some city driving. If I'm just driving on the highway, I usually get 24 mpg. Of course, you can't expect too much from a 3-row vehicle with good acceleration. If anyone is having trouble with gas mileage, it could be due to remote starting the car frequently (0 mpg), not resetting the economy gauge when refueling, or driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic a lot. Last night, I reset my gauge on the way home and got 27.9 mpg by the time I reached my driveway. I also love the style of the vehicle!
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Vehicle year: 2007
We purchased our 2007 XR when it had only 7 miles on it back in 2007. Since then, it has been a reliable and safe vehicle, with a total of 202k miles on it. We have taken good care of it, with regular maintenance including a maintenance pack at 100k, transmission at 150k, and rear hubs at 200k. The only issues we have had are a short in the radio system and a problem with the rear lift door motor. However, these are minor issues compared to the overall reliability of the car. We were even in an accident where another vehicle hit us directly on the front right wheel area, but our Saturn was repaired and we were able to drive away from the scene without any injuries. We have had to replace the tires, use synthetic oil, and replace the brakes, but these are all normal maintenance items. Despite having 6 kids (now 5 adults), the interior is still in tip-top condition. The paint and trim are also flawless, even though the car has been parked outside in Florida for the past 8 years. Our Saturn has become a beloved member of our family, just like our dogs.
Are you having problems with your Saturn Outlook?
Janick Kohler 2025-07-02
Vehicle year: 2008
This past May, I had to replace my transmission for the second time in three years. Since then, I have had to take my car back to the same shop three more times, and now my starter has just gone on me. It's been a frustrating experience, and I wish I could trade in my car, but I owe more on it than it's worth. I'm feeling pretty done with GM at this point, and I'm not sure if I want to stick with American cars in the future.
Jake Murphy 2025-06-26
Vehicle year: 2007
I recently purchased a used car and was initially drawn to its stylish appearance. Unfortunately, I have experienced several issues with the car, including transmission failure, brake fluid leakage into the master cylinder, air bag sensor malfunction, and front-end noise. Despite the car only having 80,000 miles on it, I have heard of others experiencing similar problems. In hindsight, I wish I had read reviews before purchasing. In comparison, my Dodge Caravan lasted almost 300,000 miles and my husband's Ford F150 has 315,000 miles on it. I am disappointed with the car's performance and unsure if it is worth repairing, as others have reported additional issues after repairs. I hope GM takes responsibility for these issues. I will be hesitant to purchase a GM vehicle in the future.
Hazel Murray 2025-06-24
Vehicle year: 2008
I bought my Saturn Outlook XR in March 2015 with 74,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, two months later, I experienced some transmission issues. Thankfully, the warranty covered it and I only had to pay my $100 deductible. Recently, I noticed some leaks from under the dash to the left of my brake, and the skylight in the second and third row is now leaking water, even the back headliner lights are having water through them. Yesterday, on 24th March 2016, it flooded really bad on the driver's side. It wasn't the sunroof either, as it wasn't even wet in that area. I can see water coming from under the dash. Due to water damage, I am now having electrical problems. My wipers won't turn off unless the car is off, my turning indicators went out after coming on their own, and finally just failed. My windshield wiper fluid was spraying on its own and finally failed. My vehicle is going to the dealer this coming week, but unfortunately, the dealer has already told me that it won't be covered. I have seen so many people with the same or similar issues as my own. If anyone sees this and wants to contact me and has the same problems, I have contacted GM and I will not just go away. Please do not buy this vehicle, or Acadia, or the Buick Enclave. You will regret it! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you!
Kobe Anderson 2025-06-22
Vehicle year: 2007
Well, this is our first Saturn and we traded in a Duramax diesel because we needed the room for the kids. We have noticed a vibration in the pedal when going between 35 to 40 mph. We took it to one place and they told us it was the transmission. Since there is a warranty, we took it to GM. They told us that there is nothing wrong with it and that it is set for better gas mileage. They also mentioned that if we wanted to change it, we would lose 2 miles per gallon. Can you please help us figure this out? We just bought this a month ago and we are not happy with the way it shifts, but we like it otherwise.
Jackson McLaughlin 2025-06-21
Vehicle year: 2007
This vehicle has had several issues since it was purchased new in '07. The engine had problems due to a manufacturing error, which required a rebuild. The power steering pump failed shortly after, and the wipers also failed, which was a dangerous situation. The transmission also failed and required several weeks in the shop for repair. Although there was a computer problem with the low gears, it was not covered under warranty. Recently, the dash lights and displays have also failed. Despite these challenges, we have been proactive in addressing each issue and ensuring the vehicle is safe and reliable.