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2008 Outlook XR issues

49024 Views 45 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  6Sixathome, 
C
So, taking the Outlook back to the dealer tomorrow. So far, the Outlook has be serviced for:
  • Leaking sunroof 1 month after purchase (12k miles)
  • headlight bulbs replaced(17k miles)
  • transmission recalibration after SUV sould not shift out of 1st gear (22k miles)
  • engine overheats due to leaky water pump gasket (29150 miles)
  • SIR coil replaced duel to squeeky steering column (29150 miles)

1 week after getting the Outlook back, it needs to go back for:
  • auto lift hatch stopped working (29300 miles)
  • check engine light came on, causing the remote start to stop working (29300 miles)

I cannot believe the problems we have had with this vehicle. the last time it was serviced, I had to pay to get into a 7 passenger vehicle (GM stated they will only cover a sedan). We love the looks of the Outlook, but we are starting to look at trading the SUV in for something else after 2 years and 13k miles of ownership. This is the 1st vehicle that we have ever owned that has been totally dealer serviced, so I cant believe the trouble we have had. At this point, I would not even consider buying another GM. It seems with these Lambdas it is hit or miss, and I may have been one of the unlucky ones.
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I had problems with my '08 Outlook. Ended up getting rid of it and getting the new Durango. A smidge smaller than the Outlook, but I'm very happy with it through 3k miles. Rides better, smoother, and is much quieter than the Outlook. Came better equipped than the Acadia at 4k less. Tows 6200 lbs with the V6, too.
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carbonflash2 said:
So, taking the Outlook back to the dealer tomorrow. So far, the Outlook has be serviced for:
  • Leaking sunroof 1 month after purchase (12k miles)
  • headlight bulbs replaced(17k miles)
  • transmission recalibration after SUV sould not shift out of 1st gear (22k miles)
  • engine overheats due to leaky water pump gasket (29150 miles)
  • SIR coil replaced duel to squeeky steering column (29150 miles)

1 week after getting the Outlook back, it needs to go back for:
  • auto lift hatch stopped working (29300 miles)
  • check engine light came on, causing the remote start to stop working (29300 miles)
Click to expand...
I own an '09 XR AWD, and the only issues I've had involved replacing the Steering Rack bushings (knocking in turns) and the zip-tie noise (replaced SIR coil). The '09's haven't had the sunroof leaks, and I have the HID option, so I haven't had the melted socket/harness issue for the headlights. The transmission software was put into effect by my build date of 11/08.

From my understanding, whenever a check engine light comes on, the remote start is disabled.

As for the liftgate issue, can you manually lift the liftgate, and will it stay up? The struts assist the motor in powering it open, and weak struts have been linked to the problem you describe (assuming the obvious - the switch on the console is in the "on" position.)
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C
I got the Outlook back today, and the noise in the column is still there, but the dealer replaced the SIR coil again. They also replace the liftgate motor. I will call the dealer back about the noise and maybe suggest the bushings.

The Outlook is still under warranty--I was also told that when under warranty, I do not get a 7 passenger replacement. What has been everyone else's experience?

XRDreamliner said:
As for the liftgate issue, can you manually lift the liftgate, and will it stay up? The struts assist the motor in powering it open, and weak struts have been linked to the problem you describe (assuming the obvious - the switch on the console is in the "on" position.)
Click to expand...
I was able to manually open it, but you had to fight with the door to get it open, and when closing, the door would not pull it close completely, or we would get the liftgate open in the message center. It is all good now.

I drove a Toyota Highlander Limited last night, but it is just too small, as is the Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. The Outlook is my wife's vehicle, and she is picky :). She will not go to a minivan, she does not like the Flex(neither do I), she does not want to go back into a Expedition(we traded in a 03 Eddie Baurer for the Outlook), I stay away from the Dodge products, and I am not going to replace one Lambda with another. So, she has decided to keep the Outlook. Right now I will allow it, but under protest :)
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J
I would routinely get a 5 passenger MKX; close enough and at least it wasn't a sub compact :thumb:
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carbonflash2 said:
I got the Outlook back today, and the noise in the column is still there, but the dealer replaced the SIR coil again. They also replace the liftgate motor. I will call the dealer back about the noise and maybe suggest the bushings.

The Outlook is still under warranty--I was also told that when under warranty, I do not get a 7 passenger replacement. What has been everyone else's experience?

I was able to manually open it, but you had to fight with the door to get it open, and when closing, the door would not pull it close completely, or we would get the liftgate open in the message center. It is all good now.

I drove a Toyota Highlander Limited last night, but it is just too small, as is the Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. The Outlook is my wife's vehicle, and she is picky :). She will not go to a minivan, she does not like the Flex(neither do I), she does not want to go back into a Expedition(we traded in a 03 Eddie Baurer for the Outlook), I stay away from the Dodge products, and I am not going to replace one Lambda with another. So, she has decided to keep the Outlook. Right now I will allow it, but under protest :)
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When I've had work done it's usually what Enterprise has on their lot and it's not always a 7 seater, once I got an HHR :puke: for a loaner but I have also got an OUTLOOK, ACADIA, AURA, VUE and a Dodge Grand Caravan. I would'nt be cought dead in a [email protected]#$%a, I'd rather have a minivan, the new Explorer is nice but less interior room but the new vehicle I really like is the 2011 Dodge Durango CITIDEL V8 AWD (I've been thinking reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally hard on that one ::)) I guess the Lambdas kinda of lost their "wow factor" for me :-\, dont get me wrong, I like my OUTLOOK and it's a good vehicle, it rides nice and looks good and will probably serve us well for years to come but it's not a new car any more, you know what I mean.
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carbonflash2 said:
I got the Outlook back today, and the noise in the column is still there, but the dealer replaced the SIR coil again.
Click to expand...
I would suggest you have the dealer replaced the steering rack (steering gear in GM lingo). It can transmit the "zip-tie" and "squeak" through the steering shaft and up to the steering wheel, where you'll hear it.

There's been more than one occurrence on these forums where owners have had the SIR coil replaced, horn assembly lubed, and steering shaft replaced, only to still have the noise. Only when they replaced the steering rack did the problem go away, and not come back the next day.

The squeak may also be a simple "stack-up" problem, as well, since the steering rack is at the other end of the assembly, so replacing it causes all the related components to be less "bound-up", which caused the squeak in the 1st place.

Is your squeak temperature dependent? Do you notice it in the morning, or after the Outlook is warmed up, or has been sitting "heat-soaked" in a parking lot on warm day?
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XRDreamliner said:
thanks for the response--the squeek does not seem to be temperature dependent, it is always there when I drive it. I think I will definitely bring this to the attention of the dealer.

6Sixathome said:
I would'nt be cought dead in a [email protected]#$%a, I'd rather have a minivan, the new Explorer is nice but less interior room but the new vehicle I really like is the 2011 Dodge Durango CITIDEL V8 AWD (I've been thinking reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally hard on that one ::))
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Your aversion to Toyota is the same aversion I have to Dodges, lol. I was just looking for anything other that a Lambda, but the fact is nobody does it better, even with the problems, which is why my wife wants to keep the Outlook. She likes the 2-2-3 seating configuration, and it has just the right amout of room behind the 3rd row, without being oversized. Other than going minivan, I don't see a suitable replacement, so now we are shopping for tires :)
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J
Funny, I am in the same place except we are looking at buying a outlook. I can't find anything that compares to what the outlook offers for the price but I it sucks u have to take a chance because of the issues. My family is all about buying American because quality is so much better but way is it in the automotive world it is not that case. Anyways we are still deciding if we want to take the chance.
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If I was looking now at new vehicles, I'd be looking at a Lambda, a Durango or an Explorer. All very similar in size and configuration, although the Explorer is only a 2 place 3rd row. The Explorer seems to one up the Lambdas, I'm not quite sure about the Durango yet.That means spending pretty solidly into the $30's, though, unless you get a stripped Traverse LS, and many can't swing that. Going used saves thousands and used the Lambda is all there is with the combination of space, economy and capabilities. The Durango and Explorer prior to 2011 were thirsty, cramped, lumbering body on frame beasts.

If I didn't have to tow, I'd be all over a new Odyssey. Easily double the room behind the 3rd row, better mileage, more passenger space, easier to drive and park. Plus Honda quality, meaning 200K easy with minimal problems.

Jay2380 - Look for 2009 or 2010 models, they seem to fare better on quality. At least that's what I'm counting on with mine.
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Dear carbonflash2,

How did things go with your situation with the Outlook and the dealership? Were they able to get the noise in the column taken care of?

Michelle, GM Customer Service
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T
I bought my Saturn Outlook in Feb. this year it is a 2008 if they could find the draw on the battery it would be great. It is spending more time in the shop than my garage. they have fixed everything they came across but the GM dealership here has had it again now going on the 4th week. I have found out they keep overbooking the tech so he cannot work on my vehicle. the last thing left is to test all of the fuses to see which one is causing the draw on the battery. I am ready to go get it and figure out how to do this test myself. Tired of the runaround the GM dealership service department is giving me.
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tweetypc1, I understand how you feel and that you want to rant about your problem. Do you want any suggestions or past experiences from others who have had similar problems? If you were to post the equipment, mileage, and options on your 2008 Outlook perhaps they can help you solve your problem, or get you pointed in the right direction.

Did you know that some of the earlier lambdas had excessive battery draining symptoms? Some of the repairs included reflashing the Instrument Panel Module because some of the components were "waking up" and drawing voltage. If you have factory navigation, there have been updates made to those because of voltage drainage. There are other causes as well.

Did you try a search for any postings about battery/drain? Check the Acadia and Enclave boards especially, because that's where a lot of posts were made about the problem over the years. You can join those forums using the same user name and password as you use here.

I know we all wish the dealers would fix the problem correctly the first time, but sometimes having these forums can help bring new/fresh/unknown ideas to even help the dealer. Good luck and keep us informed please.
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the leaky water pump gasket...lol Had mine at the dealer 3 times in a row for this..they fix, i get it back still leaking...finally on the 3rd try..they went with a different "OLD STYLE" gasket...seems to be working fine now..apparantly the new gasket on the replacement part is a POS.
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Dear tweetypc1,

How are things going with the dealership as of this morning? I apologize that you are having to go through this type of experience with the dealership. Please, let me how things are going. This will allow me to know if I will need to take additional steps to try to assist you with this.

Michelle, GM Customer Service
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SurfnWolf said:
the leaky water pump gasket...lol Had mine at the dealer 3 times in a row for this..they fix, i get it back still leaking...finally on the 3rd try..they went with a different "OLD STYLE" gasket...seems to be working fine now..apparantly the new gasket on the replacement part is a POS.
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I wonder if they are following the bolt torque down sequence that was released as a service bulletin.... this to keep leaks from happening- again and again...
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I'd like to see one of these water pumps up close just to try a get an idea of where the weep hole is and to try and see SurfnWolf is talking about.
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this is a
Valucraft Reman/Water Pump
For a 2010 Chevrolet Truck Traverse LT 2WD 3.6L SFI DOHC 6cyl



weep hole- I would say is that hole you see.
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rbarrios said:
this is a
Valucraft Reman/Water Pump
For a 2010 Chevrolet Truck Traverse LT 2WD 3.6L SFI DOHC 6cyl



weep hole- I would say is that hole you see.
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That looks nothing like the water pumps I'm used to seeing. I wonder where the hose connections are?, or maybe there are none :confused:
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M
IIRC the hoses aren't directly connected to the water pump
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