Saturn Sky problems
0 safety recalls. 186 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
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…
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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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.