[tanya102599]

Our Outlook makes a humming noise when we are driving at low speeds. It sounds as if it is coming from the steering column. It begins at acceleration and stops after hitting over 30 mph or so. We took it to the dealership and they said all large SUVs do it and it is nothing. We drove in the Saturn with a family member who has a large SUV and she said her SUV surely does nothing like it...Anyone have any ideas or does anyone else's do this?

 

[The Plainsman]

I just joined this forum but I've been an Outlook owner since February. I've been on the OTHER Saturn message board ever since.

The sound you're hearing is the power steering pump. It seems to have problems between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. It makes a **** of a loud noise, which will get worse. When the engine is cold you don't hear it. As soon as the engine gets warm, that's when it starts. It'll drive you crazy.

On the other Saturn board, several people have talked about the problem. With every one of us it was the power steering pump. Some Outlook owners' dealers tried to claim that wasn't the problem. That's because they want to have to replace it. I made my dealer believe it and they replaced it with a new one. That was about 5,000 miles ago. I haven't had the problem since.

Here's what I did: I took my Saturn in first thing in the morning when the service center opened. I kept the engine running because it was nice and hot and that godawful noise was going. I made the service manager send a tech out and we hopped it in for a ride around the block. He couldn't deny the noise was there. It was a matter of identifying the cause. Every time he made a slow turn of the steering wheel the noise became even louder. I looked at him; he looked at me. I smiled. I got a brand new power steering pump.

 

[tanya102599]

Thanks so much for the information on the power steering pump. My husband thought it was the same thing. Now when I called the dealership they said they just replaced several other power steering pumps on other Outlooks and will take care of mine on Tues. I am a happy camper!!!

I just joined this forum but I've been an Outlook owner since February. I've been on the OTHER Saturn message board ever since.

The sound you're hearing is the power steering pump. It seems to have problems between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. It makes a **** of a loud noise, which will get worse. When the engine is cold you don't hear it. As soon as the engine gets warm, that's when it starts. It'll drive you crazy.

On the other Saturn board, several people have talked about the problem. With every one of us it was the power steering pump. Some Outlook owners' dealers tried to claim that wasn't the problem. That's because they want to have to replace it. I made my dealer believe it and they replaced it with a new one. That was about 5,000 miles ago. I haven't had the problem since.

Here's what I did: I took my Saturn in first thing in the morning when the service center opened. I kept the engine running because it was nice and hot and that godawful noise was going. I made the service manager send a tech out and we hopped it in for a ride around the block. He couldn't deny the noise was there. It was a matter of identifying the cause. Every time he made a slow turn of the steering wheel the noise became even louder. I looked at him; he looked at me. I smiled. I got a brand new power steering pump.

 

[6Sixathome]

Are there certain VIN's with these power steering pumps going bad or is it just a random thing? Mine is an 07 XR with 7,500 miles on it made in March of 2007.

 

[The Plainsman]

This is one Outlook problem that may not be VIN related. All you can is keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best over the next 5,000 miles. Somewhere around 11,000 miles, give or take a thousand, it's when it's happened to a lot of 2007 Outlook owners. Don't know yet about the 2008's because few people have put that kind of mileage on a 2008 up to this point.

 

[donm]

I have an early '07 Outlook that we bought in January of '07. For us, the power steering sort of noise started about 6 weeks ago and the vehicle had just less than 5000 miles on it at the time. So, I've got it at the dealer now for this and some other stuff. At first, they said they couldn't hear it. I questioned that and later they said that they could hear it and there was a maintenance bulletin that they would perform, keeping it another night. That's fine if they fix it. However, the service guy read off what I guess was the title of the bulletin and it only referred to flushing the power steering fluid. I'm a bit skeptical but we'll see.

 

[Click-it]

Sorry not to :hijacked: whats the other forum you guys are on?

 

[gbshuler]

Sorry not to :hijacked: whats the other forum you guys are on?

probably..

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=62

 

[Don Willems]

Just a thought.

Did the dealer make sure you had enough fluid in the power steering pump reservoir?

 

[moelken]

My 2007 Saturn Outlook started with the humming problem almost imediately. My wife took it in and was told that it was common to all Outlooks. We just returned from a 2000 mile plus trip and the noise is getting worse. Thanks for the heads up on the power steering information I'll make another appointment.

 

[uggh!]

:angryfire:
I bought my Outlook in Feb '07. The noise in the steering started in the early summer. I've taken it in a couple of times and nothing has been done. My husband took it in again today and the service rep said nothing could be done because according to Saturn, the problem isn't the power steering pump! Uggh!!! I finally called Saturn's 800 customer service number and the rep called the dealership who denied not wanting to keep my truck there. They did admit to not knowing what the problem is but they also said I'm going to have to wait until they figure it out. I didn't go out and finance a brand new vehicle only be be driving around with noises like if I was driving something used and old!

 

[6Sixathome]

:angryfire:
I bought my Outlook in Feb '07. The noise in the steering started in the early summer. I've taken it in a couple of times and nothing has been done. My husband took it in again today and the service rep said nothing could be done because according to Saturn, the problem isn't the power steering pump! Uggh!!! I finally called Saturn's 800 customer service number and the rep called the dealership who denied not wanting to keep my truck there. They did admit to not knowing what the problem is but they also said I'm going to have to wait until they figure it out. I didn't go out and finance a brand new vehicle only be be driving around with noises like if I was driving something used and old!

How many miles did you have on it in early summer when you first noticed the noise?

 

[GTOJER]

I just had my 08 XR Outlook towed in, power steering fluid all leaked out in my driveway, seems fluid cooler in front of radiator let go at 1500 miles and dumped. Service said Saturn notified them that there is a problem with the supplier of the coolers and there are no parts. They are acquiring a new supplier and would notify me when parts are available. In the mean time I am driving a 08 Buick Lucerne rental waiting.

 

[leobg]

Mine has developed this noise too over the past several monts. Noise gets lauder the more you drive the car. Most prominent at ~1500RPM. Sounds like the power steering pump. It is in the shop right now to have that checked. Hopefully it will be fixed properly...

 

[Kevin 07 XR]

It IS the power steering pump. I just had my 2007 pump replaced before it went out of warranty. My Saturn tech said the engineer on the Saturn suport line admitted the pumps weree undersized for the car.

Do you feel less than smooth steering as well? Thta also os a sign the pump is bad. Mine did that.

Also, it can be the intermediate shaft in the steering column. A local Buick dealer said they have replaced "a train car load" of them on Enclaves.

 

[carolina2001]

I have the same problem on my Outlook. The Saturn dealership did not want to change the pump-they just kept adding fluid. They finally said they were going to change the pump but never ordered it- just kept making excuses. Now they are out of business and I go to the GMC dealership and they say its the steering gear leaking and its on a national backorder.

 

[dh_2010]

I was just told today that they were going to have to replace my steering column today for the 2nd time in under one year. I have a 2008 Outlook. It does exactly what everyone has been saying...car heats up noise gets louder, humming and a clicking as well. Although I have enjoyed my vehicle since purchase, I am ready to trade for something else as of today. They covered it, but explained that is was outside of my 36,000 warranty.

 

[6Sixathome]

I was just told today that they were going to have to replace my steering column today for the 2nd time in under one year. I have a 2008 Outlook. It does exactly what everyone has been saying...car heats up noise gets louder, humming and a clicking as well. Although I have enjoyed my vehicle since purchase, I am ready to trade for something else as of today. They covered it, but explained that is was outside of my 36,000 warranty.

dh_2010, :welcome: That's good news that they covered it for you. Did you take it to your Saturn dealer or are they closed and you had to take it to a different GM dealer? What are you thinking for a trade? Has your OUTLOOK been good other than the steering column?

 

[The Plainsman]

:angryfire:
I bought my Outlook in Feb '07. The noise in the steering started in the early summer. I've taken it in a couple of times and nothing has been done. My husband took it in again today and the service rep said nothing could be done because according to Saturn, the problem isn't the power steering pump! Uggh!!! I finally called Saturn's 800 customer service number and the rep called the dealership who denied not wanting to keep my truck there. They did admit to not knowing what the problem is but they also said I'm going to have to wait until they figure it out. I didn't go out and finance a brand new vehicle only be be driving around with noises like if I was driving something used and old!

that's simply not true. it is the power steering pump. I had mine replaced at about 11,000 miles. I'm now at 49,000. Problem hasn't returned.

 

[leobg]

Mine had this problem last summer. Had it in just before the 36K warranty expires. Humming noise was gone, now I think sometimes it does popping noise, but not always. I have extended warranty purchased, so hopefully if this develops into something worse, they will take care of it. I am not sure how they fixed it last fall, I mean not sure if I got new PS pump or they did something else.