This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Saturn Astra airbags problems
severe 96 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
96
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 96 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 Saturn Astra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 59% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 96 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735,15040, 15041, 15043,15044, 15045, 15046, 15406,15438, 15442, 15815, 15816,15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811,17478, 18015, N192273760, N192278940, N212328760, N212328770, N212328780, N212328790, N212328800, N242437050, N242437060, N242437070.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811, 17478, 18015, N192273760 and N192278940.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811, 17478, 18015 and N192278940.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 17478 and 18015.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The bulk of complaints center on the Takata driver-side airbag recall (NHTSA 16V063000, GM #2028811), issued in February–March 2016, which warns that the inflator can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments through the airbag cushion, risking serious injury or death. Owners consistently report that replacement parts were unavailable for 6–14 months or longer after receiving the recall notice. Many called GM service lines and visited dealers repeatedly between 2016 and 2017 only to be told parts were not available and no estimated arrival date could be provided.
Several owners noted the paradox that dealers had non-recall airbag inventory for out-of-pocket repairs but refused to use those parts for the recall, citing liability concerns. One dealer refused to remove the defective airbag even upon request, citing GM policy and suggesting the car could be traded in and resold with the defective airbag intact. Owners expressed frustration that they were forced to drive vehicles flagged as life-threatening while waiting indefinitely for remedy parts.
One owner reported an unintended airbag deployment in December 2019 that caused the vehicle to veer into a neighbor's property. Another reported complete airbag deployment failure in a 25 mph head-on collision in 2012, resulting in fractured ribs, sternum, and vertebrae. A few complaints mentioned illuminated airbag warning lights persisting for two or more years.
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
Driver-side airbag inflator may experience alteration over time, leading to overaggressive combustion and potential rupture of the inflator body upon deployment, creating risk of metal fragment projectiles through the airbag cushion.
When: Primarily 2008 vehicles; issues reported 2012–2019
Symptoms owners cite: No symptoms until deployment; Airbag warning light illuminated in some cases; Risk of inflator rupture and metal fragmentation during crash deployment
Codes mentioned: 16V063, 16V063000, GM Recall #2028811
Repairs/costs cited: Inflator replacement required; parts unavailable for extended periods (6–14+ months after recall notice)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Takata Recall Campaign 16V063000 and GM Recall #2028811; remedy status listed as incomplete with no parts available through 2016–2017; owners reported parts eventually available by April 2017 for some cases; owners reported dealers refusing to remove defective airbag due to liability concerns
Airbag Deployment Failure
Airbag failed to deploy in a head-on collision at 25 mph, resulting in serious injury to occupant.
When: At 55,000 miles; incident reported 2012
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during head-on crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled by insurance
Unintended Airbag Deployment
Driver-side airbag deployed while driving at normal speed with no collision, causing loss of vehicle control and secondary property damage.
When: December 4, 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed without impact; Vehicle caused to veer into neighboring property (brick walkway, fencing); Vehicle unable to restart after incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle damaged and unable to start; owner suffered minor bruises, cuts, neck and chest pain
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint filed with Takata; vehicle was used purchase with known Takata recall
Synthesized from 96 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 17 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn astra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags) however the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Gm recall notice #28810 I received 3/16. My wife called gm service (800-553-6000) 7/16/16 - she was told no resolution, no parts available. She also spoke with andrew in the service dept. At hoselton Chevy dealership, rochester, ny - no parts available. Called gm service (800-553-6000) 12/20/16 - was told by anthony, no resolution until 12/31/16 on this recall. Gm asked for and received an…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn astra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Saturn astra. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced any failure. VIN tool…
Takata recall; our daughter took her astra to multiple gm dealers with the letter from Saturn and they all said parts are unavailable. Called the Saturn customer assistance center and they said no parts unavailable and no idea when; they did open Saturn case file 8-2581135415.
Received important safety recall (gm # 28810) in march of 2016. Because this recall states in part why the vehicle is being recalled as "...may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants., I have checked monthly for on-line status of the recall. The answer is always the same indicating parts are not available to accomplish the repair. I have reduced usage of this vehicle because of the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn astra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mclaughlin Chevrolet in whitman, massachusetts was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The…
On 12/4/19 the airbag in the 08 Saturn astra deployed while I was driving it caused me to run into the driveway brick walk and fencing of a neighboring house adjacent to a lot that I was pulling out from. I suffered minor bruises and cuts but have a lot of neck and chest pain.. I've made the complaint to takata and informed them that I purchased the car last month from a used car dealership..…
Takata recall recall date feb 3, 2016. 10 months later nothing done. Remedy is not yet done. Hazard of exploding metal still present., not safe to use it.
Takata recall: gm has issued recall# 2028811/ NHTSA# 16v063 in february 2016. It is now almost the end of 2016 and I still have not received any other information about this recall or a date as to when the problem will be corrected.
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 Saturn Astra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Saturn Astra?
It's a meaningful issue. 96 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 37,890 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 63,773. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,890; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Saturn/Astra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.