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Saturn SkyModel year report

2009 Saturn Sky Problems

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,500miles, 35 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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 / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Saturn Sky (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2009 Saturn Sky. The part named most often is air bags, with 38 complaints (83% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and seats (5). 35 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 914 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the occupant classification and 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 208 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

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: Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11219410, filed 2019-06, 24,350 miles

Electrical system: “Got the ignition switch replaced and now the service air bag light wont go off. This results in the passenger side seat and should be a recall!!! The car is not safe to drive with anyone in the car because the air bags will not deploy. I never had this issue until I got the ignition recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #10617040, filed 2014-07, 8,045 miles

Seats: “The vehicles air bag warning light appeared in my dash upon starting my vehicle today. The passenger seat is not registering that someone is sitting in the seat. According to GM {owner of the late Saturn)the passenger airbag will not deploy if I were to get into an accident while the light is illuminated and quoted me almost $1,100.00 to fix it. My friends SKY is doing the same thing, everyone seems to be driving around with faulty airbag systems! How is this not a safety issue? Recall!”

NHTSA complaint #10531785, filed 2013-07, 52,000 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11467985, filed 2022-06, 35,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

54% of the 35 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,000 and 55,000 miles.

3%0–1031%10–2520%25–5034%50–759%75–1003%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (35 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,500 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.

’10’138’158’17’19’21’23
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 2009 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 2009 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 automatic192721$3,200
SKY RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192421$3,200
SKY RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192521$3,200

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 2009 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. 914 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 914 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Saturn Sky have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2009 Saturn Sky as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Saturn Sky is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 38 complaints (83% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.

Has the 2009 Saturn Sky been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Saturn Sky get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Saturn Sky (SKY, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Saturn Sky reported?

Among the 35 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,500 miles and the middle half falls between 21,000 and 55,000 miles; 54% 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.