SATURN SKY · model year

2008 SATURN SKY

216 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008SATURNSKY carries 216 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 SKY is air bags with 93 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (26) and electrical system (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2008 SKY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

216
Complaints
9
Crashes
3
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

216 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS93
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP13
SERVICE BRAKES11
SEATS6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST5
ENGINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR2
SEAT BELTS2
WHEELS2

Recalls (5)

14E02100030/04/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year

07V45400026/09/2007

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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.

17V06100026/01/2017

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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.

14V17100010/04/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 ignitio

14V04700010/02/2014

AIR BAGS

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

Recent Complaints

20250721AIR BAGS

the passenger seat air bag sensor was recalled. I took the car to dealer and they said they fixed the recall. now 3 years later, if a passenger sits in the seat the light comes on saying air bag sensor is ON one second later the light says the air bag sensor is OFF and the red air bag light in the dash comes on. -Should GM be responsible to repair it again at no charge ?

20250721SEATS

the passenger seat air bag sensor was recalled. I took the car to dealer and they said they fixed the recall. now 3 years later, if a passenger sits in the seat the light comes on saying air bag sensor is ON one second later the light says the air bag sensor is OFF and the red air bag light in the dash comes on. -Should GM be responsible to repair it again at no charge ?

20250403AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the module kit, the OCS sensor, and the four retainers were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags); however, the vehicle had experienced the failure stated in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20240503ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2008 saturn sky the key keeps getting stuck and cannot remove unless manual button under steering wheel is pushed and pull the key at same time only way to release key now Is anyone else having problem is there a recall?

20240503UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2008 saturn sky the key keeps getting stuck and cannot remove unless manual button under steering wheel is pushed and pull the key at same time only way to release key now Is anyone else having problem is there a recall?

20240423AIR BAGS

Had recall# 17036 performed for PPS system and dealer could not clear fault codes after adding tape to the PPS seat. Why will the dealer not complete the recall by making sure the faults are no longer present. 1- 004A-00 Communication fault 2- 0033-00 Internal electronic performance 1 3- 0031-00 Internal electronic performance 2 4- 0039-00 Internal electronic performance 1 5- 0034-00 Internal electronic performance 1 6- 0059-00 Preload failure region 1

20240109AIR BAGS

Saturn SKY - Passenger presence system (PPS) Knapp Chevy claimed to have fixed Completed: 2020-10-31, but warning lights appeared and took the car in to check. Now, this issue is not covered and requires a 1200 dollar charge, which should be covered in the recall.

20230608SERVICE BRAKES

When pressing on the brakes in reverse, they fail to stop the resistance is very hard, like stepping on a brick, and it does nothing to slow the vehicle. I had to throw the emergency brake on and put the car in gear in order to stop it from rolling backwards.

20230607AIR BAGS

unknown

20221009AIR BAGS

reset air bags 7/22

20210825AIR BAGS

Passenger presence seat sensor stop working and disabled passenger air bags due to issue from previous recall that was supposed to be fix.

20210408UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 39,075

20210304AIR BAGS

THIS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF RANDOM. BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I HAD THE CAR. IN MANY FORUMS THERE IS A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS

20210129ENGINE

I AM TRYING TO REPLACE THE TURBOCHARGED UNIT BUT ALL 3 PURCHASE HAD AN INTERNAL CRACK. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM UNKNOWN BY CONSUMERS? SHOULD I BE WORRIED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE?

20210128EXTERIOR LIGHTING

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED DURING DAYTIME, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, ETC. THIS IS TRUE WHETHER THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SHOULD BE ON WHENEVER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ON.

Mileage: 18,000

20201125SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN FIRST STARTING ENGINE IN THE MORNING OR AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A BIT, THE BREAKS LITERALLY DO NOT WORK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET AND ONE THAT NOBODY AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ANY DEALERSHIP HAS A CLUE HOW TO FIX. IF MY CAR ROLLS INTO THE STREET OF MY STEEP INCLINED DRIVEWAY? I'M DEAD. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. THE ATTACHMENT IS ONE OF THOUSANDS.

20201103WHEELS

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE "TPMS SYSTEM INOPERATIVE" FOR THE SAME VIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE BATTERY IS REPLACED AS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE THE TPMS SYSTEM FAILS TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY GENERAL MOTORS IN BULLETIN 08-03-16-001B. FURTHERMORE, THE TPMS SYSTEM FAILURE IS NOT INDICATED TO THE DRIVER THROUGH ANY WARNING INDICATOR. THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNAWARE OF A TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE IN THIS SITUATION, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN HARM.

Mileage: 54,000

20201102WHEELS

THE 2008 SATURN SKY HAS A SAFETY DEFECT WHEREBY THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) BECOMES INOPERATIVE DURING GENERAL MAINTENANCE. THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY WILL NOT DISPLAY ANY TIRE PRESSURE DATA WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. WHEN THE VEHICLE BATTERY IS REPLACED THE RCDLR (REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK LOCK RECEIVER MODULE) LOSES ITS KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING DATA. THE RCDLR WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE DATA FROM THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS IN EACH TIRE RENDERING THE SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. SINCE VEHICLE BATTERY REPLACEMENT IS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SAFETY SYSTEM (TPMS) SHOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE WHEN PERFORMING THAT MAINTENANCE TASK. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE CONDITION AND HAS AUTHORED BULLETIN #08-03-16-001B TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AT OWNER EXPENSE. I BELIEVE THE FAILURE OF THIS SAFETY SYSTEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL.

Mileage: 54,000

20200817AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN SKY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 25,000

20200817ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN SKY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 25,000

Compare 2008SATURNSKY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 SATURN SKY have?
The 2008 SATURN SKY has 216 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 SATURN SKY?
Yes, the 2008 SATURN SKY has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 SATURN SKY?
The most-complained component for the 2008 SATURN SKY is AIR BAGS with 93 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2008 SATURN SKY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.