2008 Saturn Sky problems & reliability
186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Sky, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (8 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2008 Saturn Sky vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 0 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 94 | 51% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 59 | 32% |
| Electrical System | 18 | 10% |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 6% |
| Seats | 6 | 3% |
| Unknown OR Other | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 4 | 2% |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 44,000 miles (middle 50% between 23,000 and 67,000 miles), based on 101 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“the passenger seat air bag sensor was recalled. I took the car to dealer and they said they fixed the recall. 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…”
Seats · filed Jul 21, 2025
“The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. 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. The…”
Air Bags · filed Apr 3, 2025
“2008 saturn sky the key keeps getting stuck and cannot remove unless manual button under steering wheel is pushed and pull the key at same time only way to release key now Is anyone else having problem is there a recall?”
Unknown OR Other · filed May 3, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- HVAC Blower Motor Connector
Defect Petition DP20002 · opened Feb 7, 2020 · closed Oct 27, 2022
- Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
Defect Petition DP16001 · opened May 16, 2016 · closed Apr 24, 2017 · led to recall 17V061000
- INADEQUATE BRAKE POWER ASSIST
Preliminary Evaluation PE08016 · opened Mar 6, 2008 · closed Jun 24, 2008
Technical service bulletins
870 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Sky. The 10 most recent:
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or…
PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 20, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe…
PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2024
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8…
PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 25, 2024
This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
04-06-04-051J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 27, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2008 Saturn Sky has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2008 Saturn Sky?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 44,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.