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Saturn SkyModel year report

2008 Saturn Sky Problems

Complaints
186filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
27,900miles, 137 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Saturn Sky (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Saturn Sky most often describe two patterns: a passenger air bag warning light traced to the passenger presence sensor, and a hard or ineffective brake pedal on the first stops after the car has sat for several hours. The air bag reports come in across a wide mileage range, while the brake reports cluster at very low mileage and describe the condition as recurring on cold starts rather than as a one-time event.

  1. Air bags

    Passenger air bag light / seat sensor failure

    • 78 complaints (42%)
    • median 47,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (54 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $918 (median of 14 quotes)
    • filed 2011–2025

    Complaints describe the air bag warning light or a "Service Air Bag" message appearing on the dash, sometimes with the passenger air bag shown as off even when someone is sitting in the seat. Dealers commonly diagnosed a failed passenger presence or occupant classification sensor and quoted a repair in the several-hundred-to-about-one-thousand-dollar range, and several owners say the vehicle was not repaired because of the cost. Some reports describe the light coming on only after a recall repair was performed, and others describe it switching back and forth between working and failed before staying failed. Reported from roughly 7,000 to 120,000 miles, with many around 25,000-50,000 miles and several on cars described as lightly used.

    Recall 17V061000

    What to check: Turn the key and confirm the air bag warning light comes on and then goes out, and check that the passenger air bag indicator reads correctly with an adult in the seat. Ask for paperwork showing whether recall 17V061000 was performed and whether the sensor has been replaced since.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My cars air bag light came on I took it to the dealer and it would not pass state inspection due to the passenger module sensor. I had to pay over 900 dollars to get it fixed. I have heard multiply people complaining about the same issue. Therefore I think there should be a recall. I did nothing to cause this failure to happen yet I am responsible to pay for it.”

    NHTSA complaint #10913900, filed 2016-10, 89,000 miles

    “The passenger air bag seat sensor is no longer working. The car is low on miles and has been well maintained and cared for. Gm apparently has a high failure rate for this part and is charging $800-$900 for the fix. I cannot afford the replacement of the broken sensor. If I have an accident, the passenger airbag will not deploy.”

    NHTSA complaint #10809249, filed 2015-12, 69,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    Hard or weak brakes on first start after sitting

    • 57 complaints (31%)
    • median 150 mi at 0.4 yrs old (47 state mileage)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2007–2023

    Owners describe a brake pedal that goes near the floor or feels very hard for the first few stops after the car has sat for several hours or overnight, requiring heavy pressure or repeated pumping to stop. Several say the car rolled while backing out of a driveway, and some report pedal pulsation at the same time. According to complaints, dealers often told owners the behavior was normal for this model or could not reproduce it; a few describe being told to let vacuum build for a period before driving. Mostly reported on cars with very low mileage, generally under 5,000 miles, and typically on the first start after the car sits several hours.

    What to check: On a cold car that has sat overnight, start it and try the brakes gently in a safe, open area before setting off, and ask the seller whether this has been reported. Have a shop check the brake booster and vacuum system if the pedal feels low or hard at first use.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Brakes fail to work on start-up. For the first 60 seconds it takes excessive pressure to bring the car to a stop. I have had numerous close calls and one small accident where I could not stop for a bicycle in my drive way. Just a matter of time before someone gets serious injured. Saturn claims it is normal for the car brakes not to work properly for the first minute.”

    NHTSA complaint #10219752, filed 2008-02, 100 miles

    “Brakes do not work at start-up on my Saturn SKY redline. Definite safety issue. I almost hit someone backing out of my driveway. Must be fixed!!!! Dealer says this is normal, but it is not! These brakes are very scary and what if a valet or someone else other than me were to drive this brand new vehicle.”

    NHTSA complaint #10215876, filed 2008-01, 40 miles
  3. Air bags

    Recall parts unavailable / repeat sensor failure

    • 60 complaints (32%)
    • median 43,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (36 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $918 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2008–2025

    Several owners describe being unable to get the passenger sensor recall completed because dealers said parts were on backorder with no delivery estimate. Others report the same air bag warning returned after the recall work was done, and one was told the repeat failure fell outside the repair warranty. A separate report describes the warning light appearing only after a dealer performed the recall procedure. Reported between about 3,700 and 75,000 miles, at various times after the recall was announced.

    Recall 17V061000Recall 14V047000

    What to check: Ask for the recall completion records and whether the sensor has been replaced more than once; if the light is on, treat the repair cost as part of the purchase decision.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have been trying to complete my recall for 2 months now, and am told by all dealers that parts are not available from GM to make the recalled repairs. I consider this to be a situation in which the recall is not actually effective, and am making this notation to ensure that appropriate parties are held liable in the even that any damages result from GM's inability to execute this recall as required.”

    NHTSA complaint #11091717, filed 2018-05, 75,000 miles

    “Airbag warning light came on. We bought vehicle 8/21/2018 with 26639 miles. We took it to GM dealer to have new key fob programed and they told us about the recall and we took it in for that which the warning light had never came on before they worked on it and now it has.”

    NHTSA complaint #11319959, filed 2020-04, 27,900 miles

Buying note. Check the recall history for the passenger air bag sensor and the ignition, and confirm the air bag warning light is off on a cold start. Drive the car after it has sat overnight to feel the first few brake applications, and factor a possible sensor repair into the price.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 186 consumer complaints for the 2008 Saturn Sky. 137 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,900 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 868 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall I started the 2008 Saturn SKY with someone seated in passenger seat ,air bag light said airbag was off for passenger side and service airbag light came on. Took to GM dealer and it was diagnosed as bad module and would cost $936.62 to fix. I did have it fixed and paid the $936.62 for safety sake. This issue really needs to be addressed and on recall before someone is killed.”

NHTSA complaint #10864831, filed 2016-05, 37,950 miles

Brakes: “My car was parked in the driveway on an incline, emergency brake was set. My car rolled down the driveway and off an embankment. The emergency brake was still up when it stopped. The car was a total loss.”

NHTSA complaint #11010649, filed 2017-07, 100,000 miles

Electrical system: “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 stated that because the car is out of warranty, I am responsible for the cost of the repair. I elevated the issue to GM corporate who stated that they would not repair the vehicle at their cost but offered me a $1000 GM loyalty credit towards the purchase of a new vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10851771, filed 2016-03, 38,000 miles

Other or unknown: “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 do what they have done for all their other makes and models. If someone gets hurt or possibly killed I will have to be forced to sue someone. They say the process costs $900 and I think if anything they should pay for at least the parts. …”

NHTSA complaint #10759562, filed 2015-08, 49,200 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

69% of the 137 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 400 and 58,000 miles.

40%0–106%10–2523%25–5021%50–756%75–1004%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (137 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 27,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’0837’12’15’18’22’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Saturn Sky. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sky · C RWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Saturn Sky version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SKY RWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual192822$3,750
SKY RWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192621$3,900
SKY RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192421$3,900
SKY RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192521$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Saturn Sky → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 868 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 868 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saturn Sky

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20094642,5003—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200818627,9004—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200728442,4264—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Saturn Sky model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Sky?

Owners of the 2008 Saturn Sky most often describe two patterns: a passenger air bag warning light traced to the passenger presence sensor, and a hard or ineffective brake pedal on the first stops after the car has sat for several hours. The issues reported most often: Passenger air bag light / seat sensor failure; Hard or weak brakes on first start after sitting; Recall parts unavailable / repeat sensor failure.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Saturn Sky have?

NHTSA recorded 186 consumer complaints for the 2008 Saturn Sky as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Saturn Sky is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 94 complaints (51% of the total), followed by brakes with 72.

Has the 2008 Saturn Sky been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Saturn Sky get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Saturn Sky (SKY, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Saturn Sky reported?

Among the 137 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,900 miles and the middle half falls between 400 and 58,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.