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BrakesPart report

2008 Saturn Sky Brakes Problems

Complaints
72about this part
Share
39%of 186 total for the year
Median mileage
250miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Saturn Sky, 39% of the 186 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 250 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“After first starting, the vehicle has no brakes. This issue occurred the first time I backed it out of the garage. The brakes were very soft and I had to keep pumping them. I contacted the dealer and they said that you have to let it warm up first. I took the car in and told them that this was unacceptable and could result in an accident. They made an adjustment to the brakes, however, they are very hard. This is a very serious problem and it needs to be addressed.”

NHTSA complaint #10583743, filed 2014-04, 50 miles

“I started my 2008 Saturn SKY and while backing the car out of the garage I almost hit the garage because there is virtually no power assist on the brakes upon startup. I have seen that there si a TSB out on this for cars sitting extended periods of time. This car only sits overnight at most. This is not a one off event. If my wife or daughter were driving the car they would defiantly hit something because of their inability to apply enough pressure to the brake this could easily lead to an accident .”

NHTSA complaint #10861680, filed 2016-04, 27,900 miles

“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/ vacuum does not function properly when starting the vehicle. Took it to GM for a few adjustments (which did not work) and they say that the car must be warmed up for 1 minute or more before driving. That is unacceptable living in warm weather climate. Why should I have to wait to drive a new car in order for the brakes to work and be safe. It's a safety issue and now I cannot let anyone drive my car, or go to a valet in fear that they will hit something or someone.”

NHTSA complaint #10598843, filed 2014-06, 5,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200937%
20087239%
2007104%

Other parts of the 2008 Saturn Sky

Air bags
94 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Saturn Sky

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology