SATURN SKY · model year

2009 SATURN SKY

65 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009SATURNSKY carries 65 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 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 2009 SKY is air bags with 38 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and seats (5). 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 4 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 2009 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.

65
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

65 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS38
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
SEATS5
POWER TRAIN3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
PARKING BRAKE1
SEAT BELTS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STEERING1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ENGINE1
VISIBILITY1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION1

Recalls (4)

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

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

20230929AIR BAGS

Ignition was replaced under recall and now the passenger air bag light is on and will not go out and passenger side airbag is inop. ABS Ecm failed and replacement cost was $1300.00. This is a known issue and should be investigated. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230929SERVICE BRAKES

Ignition was replaced under recall and now the passenger air bag light is on and will not go out and passenger side airbag is inop. ABS Ecm failed and replacement cost was $1300.00. This is a known issue and should be investigated. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230120AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags); for which a temporary repair was performed, but later the manufacturer refused to permanently repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,500.

Mileage: 58,500

20221219AIR BAGS

Vehicle only has 5000 miles on it purchased new in 2009 has ignition problem and airbag service problem

20220607AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag and electronic brake control module (EBCM) warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side air bag and EBCM needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the EBCM; however, the passenger's side air bag was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

20220607SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag and electronic brake control module (EBCM) warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side air bag and EBCM needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the EBCM; however, the passenger's side air bag was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

20220520AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated, with the service air bag message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bag). The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

Mileage: 14,000

20210701AIR BAGS

In 2019 I took my car in for a recall I had received. It was for the PPS. Instead of replacing the faulty system, they simply put a "reinforcement" piece of tape over the faulty system. I rarely drive the car and I rarely have passengers. 2 years and almost 5k miles later, now the faulty system is broken. The sensor in the seat has failed. No surprise there. The dealership is trying to charge me $1400 to replace the faulty sensor that should have been replaced 2 years ago. This is causing anyone who possible is a passenger in my car to be at risk, since now that the sensor is broken, the air bag will not deploy. Other people with this car have had or are having the same issue. I do not understand why a tape fix was approved and implemented for something so serious as the safety of my passengers.

20210129EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE GAUGES ILLUMINATION IS VERY POOR SINCE THE GAUGES ARE SO DEEP SET IN THE DASH. I CAN HARDLY READ THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAY, ISN,T VERY BRIGHT EVEN AT NITE. THE MFG. SHOULD DO A RECALL TO UPGRADE THE DASH LIGHTS.

Mileage: 53,000

20210125EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS SET DEEP INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR STYLING PURPOSES. AS A RESULT, THE GAUGES ARE VERY DARK AND CANNOT BE READ DURING DAYTIME DRIVING. GM SHOULD MAKE A SOFTWARE PATCH AVAILABLE TO TURN ON THE BACK LIGHTING TO THE GAUGES DAY OR NIGHT WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON. OTHER VEHICLES ARE SETUP THIS WAY. THE SATURN SKY SHOULD TOO. HOW CAN I DRIVE SAFE WHEN I CANNOT SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING?

Mileage: 132,800

20201209POWER TRAIN

STEERING SENSOR,STEERING POSITION,LOST COMM YAW RATE SENSOR,LOST COMM STEERING RATE' SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ON ,TRACTION CONTROL ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION. BLOGS INDICATE THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON GENERAL MOTORS ISSUE AMONG SATURN AND OTHER MODELS

Mileage: 32,780

20201209SUSPENSION

STEERING SENSOR,STEERING POSITION,LOST COMM YAW RATE SENSOR,LOST COMM STEERING RATE' SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ON ,TRACTION CONTROL ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION. BLOGS INDICATE THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON GENERAL MOTORS ISSUE AMONG SATURN AND OTHER MODELS

Mileage: 32,780

20200904AIR BAGS

I TOOK MY 2009 SATURN SKY REDLINE TO A GM DEALER ON 9/18/2018 FOR GM RECALL 17036. THEY PERFORMED THE WORK (INSTALLED REINFORCEMENT), BUT LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER, WITH LESS THAN 2500 MILES SINCE THE REPAIR, THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON. ON 9/2/2020, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SAYS THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED, AT A COST TO ME OF $1182. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR WHICH GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THE CAR WAS BARELY USED SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, AND IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE SENSOR WAS ON THE VERGE OF FAILURE AT THAT TIME. TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE CAR NOW IS 25,000.

Mileage: 24,800

20200706AIR BAGS

YEARLY, I TRY TO GET MY AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN SUPPORT MY REQUEST.

20200303AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIR BAG RECALL 17036 ISSUE AFTER THE TEMPORARY FIX WITH THE SAME ISSUE BUT THE $1200 MODULE KIT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS FOR THE PASSENGERS BEING AT RISK WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. A COMPLETE FIX OF THE RECALL SHOULD BE COMPLETED NOT A TEMPORARY FIX. IT SHOULDN'T COST THE CAR OWNER AN EXTREME COST OF $1200 FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED IN THE RECALL.

20190612AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG SUPPRESSION MODULE NEEDS SERVICE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT WILL BE $1200 FOR THE REPAIR, BUT I FOUND A RECALL (17V061000) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I ENTER MY VIN, IT DOESN'T SAY MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THEY SAID NEITHER AIR BAG WILL FUNCTION IF THIS SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS VEHICLE IS STORED ALL WINTER. WHEN WE UNCOVERED IT THIS SPRING, THE LIGHT WAS ON.

Mileage: 24,350

20190529AIR BAGS

RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR PPS RECALL, INVOICE STATES REINFORCEMENT INSTALLED, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND DISPLAY INDICATOR NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN IGNITION IS ON.

Mileage: 56,000

20190204FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2009 SATURN SKY BASE MODEL (2.4-LITER INLINE-FOUR ENGINE 177 HP). ISSUE#1: IN MOTION, HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS/HIGHWAYS) AT ABOUT ~30MPH (AND UP TO ~70MPH), THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT DOWN A GEAR HARD ENOUGH TO PULL YOUR BODY FORWARD VIOLENTLY. MY FAULT CODES ARE P0011 AND P0022 BEING THE 'PRINCIPLE' CODE POINTING TO THE "ACTUATOR, SOLENOID CONTROL" OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AUTOMATIC SKY ROADSTERS, MODELS 2007-2009. GM/SATURN HAS FAILED TO ISSUE ANY RECALLS OR EXTENDED COVERAGES AS OF NOW. HTTPS://WWW.SKYROADSTER.COM/FORUMS/F5/DOOR-CHIMES-GOING-OFF-OTHER-ISSUES-39368/ ISSUE#2: IN MOTION THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON ABOUTH 10-MONTHS AGO AND SINCE THEN I'VE NOTICED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER. UPON ATTEMPTING TO RENEW MY ANNUAL SAFETY VEHICLE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TEST DUE TO A THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

Mileage: 55,000

20190204POWER TRAIN

2009 SATURN SKY BASE MODEL (2.4-LITER INLINE-FOUR ENGINE 177 HP). ISSUE#1: IN MOTION, HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS/HIGHWAYS) AT ABOUT ~30MPH (AND UP TO ~70MPH), THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT DOWN A GEAR HARD ENOUGH TO PULL YOUR BODY FORWARD VIOLENTLY. MY FAULT CODES ARE P0011 AND P0022 BEING THE 'PRINCIPLE' CODE POINTING TO THE "ACTUATOR, SOLENOID CONTROL" OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AUTOMATIC SKY ROADSTERS, MODELS 2007-2009. GM/SATURN HAS FAILED TO ISSUE ANY RECALLS OR EXTENDED COVERAGES AS OF NOW. HTTPS://WWW.SKYROADSTER.COM/FORUMS/F5/DOOR-CHIMES-GOING-OFF-OTHER-ISSUES-39368/ ISSUE#2: IN MOTION THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON ABOUTH 10-MONTHS AGO AND SINCE THEN I'VE NOTICED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER. UPON ATTEMPTING TO RENEW MY ANNUAL SAFETY VEHICLE INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TEST DUE TO A THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

Mileage: 55,000

20180312AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL... I AM STILL WAITING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED YET. I RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE FOR THE RECALL ON 3/09/2018.

Compare 2009SATURNSKY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 SATURN SKY have?
The 2009 SATURN SKY has 65 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 SATURN SKY?
Yes, the 2009 SATURN SKY has 4 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 2009 SATURN SKY?
The most-complained component for the 2009 SATURN SKY is AIR BAGS with 38 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SEATS.
Is the 2009 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.