Hello

We recently had our Saturn Outlook XR transmission fully replaced at only 66k miles and a short few days within the Power train warranty. I also had dealer which is Carr Cadillac GMC in Vancouver, WA where we purchased vehicle to check steering column issue as it has been clicking and annoying but whats worse is it has on occassion locked up where you can no longer steer. Diagnosis was a bad bushing and I had to pay them $85 to tell me that even though it was already in for a full transmission replacement. i had to have it towed in as well.

This is a major safety concern and issue that the Carr dealer informed me GM is aware of but it would not be covered under Power Train and thus I was looking at a $1400 repair to replace column. I don't even know if thats what is causing it to "lock up". Needless to say this should have never have defaulted especially on a vehicle that is garage kept, never been off road and I am still stunned that GM would not cover this safety problem.

It locked up again today in a parking lot after backing up and my wife said she had to put car in park then reverse, park then reverse and then it finally released allowing the steering to move. Since having transmission replaced a month ago and this locked steering issue, my wife is scared to drive her Outlook which is now in garage and Im still making payments on.

Can you imagine if steering wheel locked up and you no longer had any steering going over a overpass or bridge...heck, anything.

Is there someone within GM customer care who can look into helping me get this fixed as this has to be a life safety issue and a faulty steering column or something thats causing this. I am not very happy to say the least especially after this happening again today...

Jonathan Nelson

Here is an update to my recent post regarding our beloved Saturn Outlook XR AWD

Thanks to my posts on several key GM forums I received a few responses from GM customer service regarding my issues and I must say thus far, it was a breath of fresh air to have several of the GM customer service reps make contact with me and show concern for my vehicle and the safety issues mentioned. When a car cannot steer that is a real problem and should not be at the helms of simply the vehicle owner'* back or expense only as it reflects upon the name and quality product represented by a company such as General Motors. Failed steering in one of these Lambdas could be deadly on the road not only for the vehicle passengers but those on the road when it happens as its a fairly heavy vehicle.

So here is where I am with the vehicle since my post. GM has worked with me on having the Steering Column and bushings replaced and I can first tell you that no, its not being covered by GM exclusively but they are covering a huge cost of the repairs which I can at least say is not only the right thing to do in my eyes, but also I feel a fair offer considering I am now out of warranty. The vehicle is at the dealer and they found that the steering shaft is also in need of replacement as well. Ultimately, all I am seeking is to ensure my family and I are safe on the road with this vehicle and for those around us on the road to be as well and for vehicle to be corrected of these issues which are well documented on numerous sites as being a known safety and mechanical issue on the GM vehicles that. Are on this type of platform.

Ill update this posting once I obtain my vehicle back with the repairs made above that they have diagnosed as being the issue. There are several TSB'* that can be found on these vehicles and some relate to corrective issues such as replacement of power steering pump, rack etc.

I look forward to picking up our Outlook and to find that the problem has been resolved.

3/4/2013

Well, I received a call from dealer who is performing the work on our 2008 Saturn Outlook XR. After replacing the steering column and shaft / bushings as well I think, it still isnt corrected fully from what was shared to me and needs a replaced Steering gear as well. I had a approved GM co pay for the repair but now with the gear replacement also needing replaced to remedy the issue completely and allow my vehicle to be safe to drive...at least I hope, this comes with a price on top of what was already dagnosed and approved by GM to help over. Its additional money that I dont have and for repairs that are correlated to each other as obviously a design flaw or simly poor or defective initial parts.

I sure hope to hear a positive outcome back from dealer and GM as I'd like this story to be a happy ending. Id like to be WOW'ed and become a Raving Fan of GM, but time will tell.

I'll update this posting on alll forums I am on regarding this issue Ive had.

3/7/2013 Update:

I just received my Outlook back today from the dealer'* service dept after they had it since friday. To give you a summary of what it took to correct the issue for me, it was a defective steering column, steering shaft, bushings and the steering gear.

They did the prior replacements of the column and shaft and still had the clunk so they replaced the gear and i can tell you, it drives well now and steering is smooth with no clunking or popping....nothing. We are happy to have it working properly.

GM and their customer service team were also very prompt in communicating and following up with these issues and working with me to help get these repairs corectly completed and I would receive follow up calls from the service rep assigned to my case # created for me. Her name was Karren and I appreciate all of the follow through and in addition, I also feel I was treated fair by GM overall considering the repairs and cost that was incolved in replacing these parts.

I feel blessed and certainly appreciative overall as GM charged me a deductible on a goodwill which although was a personal financial imact to me on these costly repairs. Although I feel these parts shouldn't have gone out on such a high priced vehicle ( Lambda ) with only 66K, it was still a very appreciative and fair amount overall.

My only additional concern now is a occasional stability track light kicking on which decreases the acceleration and jerks the car. With the above parts replaced hopefully that was the issue on the stability track problem and that I will not see it occur again. I had my GM customer service rep, Karren, document it on my case # as well just in case I have that issue occur again. It too is well known on many forums to be a faulty issue on these vehicles.

Now, here'* to seeing that this repair corrected the issue long term and I am hopeful it has.