Saturn Sky problems
186 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Brakes: 72 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 2,000–34,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Saturn Sky? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 84 owner reports · tends to show around 54,848 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- brakes — 72 owner reports · tends to show around 20,533 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 39,623 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 106,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 20,533 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2008 Saturn Sky
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2008 Saturn Sky
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~7,282 mibrakes~$450
- ~38,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~55,000 miairbags~$1,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
First thing in the morning, when car is in reverse, brakes fail about 3 days a week. There is a pulsating in the pedal and the car does not stop right away. When taken to dealer, they could not reproduce the effect and said it must have been humidity. Online, there are many…
2008 Saturn sky (turbo redline 2.0) - the brakes are not 100% during cold startup - especially in reverse when the engine has just been started. It seems to help if you rev. The engine slightly, almost like you need to build some vacuum pressure because the idle was too low to…
Brakes do not function when the vehicle is first started up. Car must "warm" up for pressure to build in the brake line. Not informed at dealer. Received car from lot (driven to showroom area) so thus "warmed up" when test drive taken. Brought home. Next morning started…
Brakes do not work at start-up. When I start vehicle and go to drive or reverse, the brakes do not function. I try to press hard on the brakes and it still doesn't stop the vehicle. This has happened many times and there are forums on it on skyroadster.com. Also, if you do a…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Saturn Sky reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Saturn Sky is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Saturn Sky?
The 2008 Saturn Sky is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 72 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 2,000–34,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Saturn Sky?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 84 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,848 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Saturn Sky a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 186 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 54,848 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Saturn Sky?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 84 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,848 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 54,848 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Saturn Sky has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Saturn Sky?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 186 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.