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2008 Saturn Sky Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Saturn Sky, most often about the air bags (51% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Sky model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.

Complaints186
Recalls4
Crashes reported8
Fires reported1
Injuries reported8

Most common 2008 Saturn Sky problems

  1. Air bags

    94 complaints · 51%

    Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    This is my third pontiac solstice or Saturn Sky that has had the passenger air bag service light activate in the 50k miles range. Very seldom does anyone sit in the passenger seat, so wear does not seem the be the problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 52,841 miles
    Passenger side occupancy sensor failed, and airbag will not deploy in the event of a crash even with someone sitting in the seat. Began as a random failure, switching from failed to operational on each start. Ultimately, stayed in failed condition. Upon starting the vehicle, dash warning appears warning of system…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 55,000 miles

  2. Brakes

    72 complaints · 39%

    Half of these problems showed up before 500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock.

    Tl contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that the vehicle requires excessive brake pedal effort in order to stop. The failure occurs after a cold start and typically at relatively low speeds. After the vehicle is warmed up, the failure ceases. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact is…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 1,191 miles
    We own a 2008 Saturn Sky red line model. If the vehicle is placed in gear when first starting up the brakes don't work. Supposedly the Saturn engineers designed the vehicle with this "safety" (as Saturn calls it) feature. If you folks will go onto the Saturn forum and put brake problem into their search engine there…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 1,500 miles

  3. Electrical

    18 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition.

    The vehicle was being driven at highway speeds, upon avoiding a collision with another vehicle, the Saturn Sky I was in had collided with the concrete center divider and became airborn. The airbags did not deploy after first colliding with the divider, nor after it had landed back onto its wheels. Hazard lights were…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 30,000 miles
    The airbag light illuminated indicating an issue with the sensor in the passenger presence system. I had the car examined by the dealer who diagnosed a problem with the passenger presence system. The car has approximately 46k miles and at the time of the light illuminating had approximately 38k miles. The dealer…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 38,000 miles

  4. Seats

    6 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles.

    I brought my Saturn Sky that was manufactured by gm to my local chevrolet dealer. They told me that the module is not on recall although many other models that gm makes did and does have a recall for the same product. I will no longer let anyone ride in the passenger seat. I would hope that someone would force gm to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 49,200 miles
    The air bag warning light is on at all times and "service air bag" appears in the driver information center and must be cleared after each start. The issue has been determined to be a faulty passenger presence sensor located in the bottom of the passenger seat. This has now rendered the passenger airbag inoperative at…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 49,000 miles

  5. Other or unspecified

    6 complaints · 3%

    I brought my Saturn Sky that was manufactured by gm to my local chevrolet dealer. They told me that the module is not on recall although many other models that gm makes did and does have a recall for the same product. I will no longer let anyone ride in the passenger seat. I would hope that someone would force gm to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 49,200 miles
    During a low voltage condition the programming for the TPMS and security features was lost. 2nd time it happened. Dealer says it is a design problem that requires software update. I paid once for the update but the problem persists.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2021, at 39,075 miles

  6. Engine

    4 complaints · 2%

    While driving on the expressway, the car completely lost power for several seconds, and some of the trouble lights on the dash lit up. While trying to exit the expressway, power came back and the dash returned to normal. The same scenario happened again nearly a year later. Gm technicians could not find anything wrong.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 48,500 miles
    The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. While driving various speeds, the coolant warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that coolant was added to the vehicle every two days. An independent mechanic stated that the coolant system needed to be flushed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 106,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2008 Saturn Sky recalls

  1. Air bags: occupant classification

    NHTSA 17V061000 · January 26, 2017 · 91,007 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

    Fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 17036.

    Full defect summary

    General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2006-2010 pontiac solstice and 2007-2010 saturn sky vehicles. The passenger air bag suppression system (pps) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.

  2. Electrical: ignition

    NHTSA 14V171000 · April 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles

    Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

    Fix: General motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on april 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact general

    Full defect summary

    General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt, 2006-2011 chevrolet hhr, 2007-2010 pontiac g5, 2006-2010 pontiac solstice, 2003-2007 saturn ion, and 2007-2010 saturn sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position.

  3. Air bags

    NHTSA 14V047000 · February 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles

    Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on march 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on april 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on april 18, 2014. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or saturn at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. Gmâ’s recall nu

    Full defect summary

    This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on february 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 chevrolet cobalt, and 2007 pontiac g5 vehicles. On february 25, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 chevrolet hhr and pontiac solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 saturn ion vehicles and 2007 saturn sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On march 27, 2014, gm notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have be

  4. Seat belts: anchorage

    NHTSA 07V454000 · September 26, 2007 · 1,482 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat and seat belt assembly may not restrain the occupant as intended and could result in injury to the occupant.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the inboard seat studs and, if necessary, remove the stud and install a bolt free of charge. The recall began on october 10, 2007. Owners may contact pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and saturn at 1-800-972-8876.

    Full defect summary

    Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." and standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." these vehicles may have one to four inboard seat stud fasteners that do not meet specification for strength.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2008 Saturn Sky

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Sky?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (94 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); brakes (72 complaints, typically around 500 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Sky have?
4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 26, 2017 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2008 a bad year for the Saturn Sky?
It is the 2nd most complained-about Sky model year since 2000, with 186 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Saturn Sky years

Saturn Sky problems by year