AI Damage2008 Saturn SKY: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Saturn SKY filed 186 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 186
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 51% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 39% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 3% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 2% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 1% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 1% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 1% of all complaints
- Air bags: 94 complaints (51% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 72 complaints (39% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 6 complaints (3% of all).
- Engine: 4 complaints (2% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 186 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 94 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 72 | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
The airbags did not deploy after first colliding with the divider, nor after it had landed back onto its wheels. Hazard lights were operable, onstar did not activate. Injuries were sustained to both the driver and passenger.
Brake failure. Hard brake pedal resulting in the brakes not holding the car at a stop. On july 4, 2012 while stopped at an intersection the brakes failed to hold the car inplace resulting in the car creeping into the center of the intersection into oncoming traffic.
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.
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 ?
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.
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?
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,189 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SKY has 172 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 186, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn SKY?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 186. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (17%), warning lights, check engine (13%), brake failure (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Saturn SKY?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Saturn SKY from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.