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Saturn Outlook VIN Check

NHTSA holds 1,079 owner complaints on the Saturn Outlook from 202 production runs; the worst run has 21, the typical one 5.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 1,079 complaints · 202 runs · 2007–2010 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Outlook run is 5GZER13728J (2008 builds) with 21 complaints, 4× the typical run. Exterior lighting problems make up 26% of reports; 2008 is the worst model year at 7.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for Outlook model years 2007–2010.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saturn Outlook has 202 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Outlook complaint on file.

FIG.01·Saturn Outlook — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
5GZER13728J••••••200821—1
5GZER23798J••••••20081811
5GZER13708J••••••200817——
5GZER13778J••••••200817——
5GZER23758J••••••200814——
5GZER23778J••••••200814——
5GZER23718J••••••20081411
5GZER237X8J••••••200813—1
5GZER33797J••••••2007131—
5GZER13748J••••••200813——
5GZER13758J••••••200813—1
5GZER33708J••••••200813——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 190 Outlook runs has 13 complaints or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Saturn Outlook the gap between build years is 6.5×: a 2008 car draws 7.1 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.1.

FIG.02·Saturn Outlook — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20101.11514—
20093149495
20087.1512724
20075403815
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2008 at 7.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2010 at 1.1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 26% of everything Saturn Outlook owners report: Exterior Lighting, 340 of 1,079 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Saturn Outlook — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Exterior Lighting340212
Electrical System263111
Power Train23632
Air Bags16271
Steering1323—
Structure72——
Engine72—5
Unknown Or Other461—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 10 recall campaigns on the Saturn Outlook; the 6 below cover build years 2007 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Saturn Outlook — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
15V415000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate2007–2010
14V118000Air Bags:side/window2008–2010
10V240000Electrical System2007–2009
14V266000Seat Belts2009–2010
10V375000Seat Belts2009–2010
08V441000Electrical System2007–2008
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

15V415000 was opened in 2015 on cars built from 2007: 8 years on the road before the recall.

The Outlook against its rivals

The Outlook draws 5.3 complaints per production run; the GMC Envoy 5.4, the Suzuki XL7 1.6 and the Saab 9-7X 1.9.

FIG.05·Saturn Outlook VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Saturn Outlook1,0792025.31.3%
GMC Envoy2,5994835.45.5%
Suzuki XL751311.621.6%
Saab 9-7X139721.90%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 1,079 reports on the Saturn Outlook, 1.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Saturn Outlook — complaint severity
OutcomeSaturn OutlookAll vehicles
Complaints filed1,0791,115,966
Involved a crash14 (1.3%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire22 (2%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported2058,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 78% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saturn Outlook share of that is 1,079 complaints over 202 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.

Everything on the Saturn Outlook
Recalls21 campaignsFuel economy19 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems1,352 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices76 listingsWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2007–2010

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Saturn Outlook VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,079 NHTSA complaints from 202 Outlook runs and 10 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Outlook production run has the most complaints?

5GZER13728J, a 2008 build, with 21 complaints. The typical Outlook run has 5.3.

Which Outlook years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2008 is heaviest at 7.1 complaints per run and 2010 lightest at 1.1.

Does the Outlook get more complaints than the GMC Envoy?

No: 5.3 complaints per production run for the Outlook against 5.4 for the GMC Envoy.

How many Outlook complaints involve a crash?

1.3% of 1,079 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 22 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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