This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Saturn Sky brakes problems
severe 72 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
72
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
6crashes
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 72 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Saturn Sky, 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
Brakes accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 72 brakes 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 brakes 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 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 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Saturn Sky has a systemic cold-start brake problem. When the engine starts after the car sits 2–7+ hours, the brakes either don't work or require extreme pedal pressure for 30–180 seconds. The brake pedal goes rock-hard or sinks to the floor; the vehicle rolls despite braking. Once the engine idles briefly, vacuum pressure builds and brakes return to normal.
GM knew. Internal service bulletin #07-05-22-002 explicitly told dealers not to fix it, calling it "normal operation" of the Optimized Hydraulic Boost system. Some 2008s came with dashboard stickers explaining the delay; owners peeled them off. The root cause: GM removed the auxiliary vacuum pump from 2008 turbo engines to save money. The 2009 model year got the pump back.
Dealers told owners to "warm up the car" before driving—not in the manual, not mentioned at purchase, and frankly dangerous if someone else (valet, family member, rental-situation driver) takes the wheel without that warning. Some owners reported near-misses with traffic or pedestrians. One brake failure at an intersection caused a multi-vehicle collision with hospitalizations.
Brake control module reprogramming didn't fix it. A few owners reported dealers acknowledging a vacuum pump was needed but having no parts or a four-month wait. Several incidents involved brakes failing at highway speeds, including failures while cruise control was engaged. ABS warnings also appeared sporadically in some vehicles.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal failure after cold start / extended idle
After the vehicle sits for 2+ hours (typically overnight), the brakes become ineffective for 30–180 seconds on initial startup. The brake pedal feels extremely hard or goes to the floor with minimal stopping power. Power brake assist fails to engage until sufficient vacuum builds in the system.
When: Cold start; after vehicle idle 2–7+ hours; every startup after overnight parking
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal very hard or travels to floor; Vehicle continues to roll despite pressing brakes; Requires excessive pedal pressure or multiple brake pump cycles to achieve stopping; Stopping power returns to normal after 30–180 seconds of running; Affects reversing from driveway and low-speed driving most critically
Repairs/costs cited: Some dealers reprogrammed brake control module per GM service bulletin (Document ID #1982132); did not resolve issue. One owner reported dealer confirmed vacuum pump needed. Another reported dealer had no parts available; 4-month lead time cited. Dealer service writers issued notices stating condition is 'normal' and 'by design'; instructed not to repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service bulletin #07-05-22-002 (titled 'Information on Optimized Hydraulic Boost Brake System Characteristics'; Document ID #1982132) explicitly stated 'DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ANY PARTS FOR WHAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE OHB.' Saturn dealerships provided owners with stickers and notices stating the condition is normal design. One owner received a letter from Saturn asking for a 'calibration adjustment' at the dealer; adjustment did not resolve the issue. Some dealers told owners to 'let the car warm up' or 'let vacuum build for 1–2 minutes' before driving. GM removed the auxiliary vacuum pump from 2008 model-year turbo engines as a cost saving; the vacuum pump was reinstated in 2009 model year. Some owners received stickers on the dash of new 2008 vehicles advising of this system behavior, but these stickers were removable and not permanent.
Brake failure while driving at highway speed
Brakes fail to respond or respond inadequately while vehicle is in motion at highway speeds, sometimes coinciding with cruise control engagement or while stepping on the brake pedal mid-drive.
When: During highway driving (55–75 mph); after cruise control engaged; can occur after vehicle has been running
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressed but vehicle does not decelerate; Cruise control does not disengage when brakes applied; Vehicle requires extended distance to stop or fails to stop in time; May involve ABS engagement with poor stopping performance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported dealership told them nothing was wrong after reviewing failure. Another owner had a 'calibration adjustment' performed; failure continued. No manufacturer recalls or TSBs addressing highway brake failure found in narratives.
Brake vibration / pulsation and grinding sensation
Brake pedal vibrates or pulsates when depressed, often accompanied by crunching or grinding noise, most common during cold startup or low-speed braking.
When: Cold start when backing out; low-speed reversing
Symptoms owners cite: Vibrating or pulsating brake pedal feel; Crunching or grinding noise from brakes; Pedal travels excessively while vibrating; Occurs during initial brake application after startup
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated this is 'normal' for the vehicle and model year; no repairs attempted.
ABS warning light and traction control malfunction
ABS warning indicator illuminates on instrument panel; traction control fails to operate. Occurred in at least one case after HVAC system repair and in another after multiple dealer visits.
When: Intermittent; can be continuous after cold start events
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light stays illuminated during vehicle operation; Traction control does not function
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported six separate visits to dealer for identical ABS light failures with no resolution. Vehicle mileage was 15,500 at time of report.
Brake holding failure while stopped
Vehicle creeps or rolls forward at traffic stops despite brake pedal being applied and held, resulting in inability to keep vehicle stationary.
When: While stopped at intersection; at idle after initial driving
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal; Vehicle creeps into traffic or down slope; Brakes do not hold vehicle in place at stop
Repairs/costs cited: One brake system rebuild or repair was completed but result unclear; owner noted car hit another vehicle in intersection when brakes failed to hold.
Synthesized from 72 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
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 complaints about the exact issue. *tr
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 achieve it. Definitely not safe! *tr
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 car and backed out. Only to find no brakes...very dangerous and scary. *tr
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 search on the web and type in -Saturn sky brakes you will find sites the same complaints. Many have the same problem.…
Our Saturn 2008 sky redline has a brake problem that my wife was complaining about every time she starts it up after it has had time to cool down. The brakes do not work properly. I tried it and found that the car can move while holding down on the brake. If you don't pump it it will not stop. I took it to the dealer today and was given a notification from the dealer service writer stating…
2008 Saturn sky redline convertible-brake problem when the car has been sitting for a couple of hours without use, the brakes fail to work after initially starting the vehicle. According to the manufacturer, this is "normal" and cannot be fixed. It takes a good 2-3 minutes for the brakes to work after the car starts. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Saturn sky. While driving 5-10 MPH, the vehicle would not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the failure would occur after the vehicle has been parked for more than two hours. The dealer stated that the vehicle was designed in that manner and advised her to let it idle for two minutes. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer and…
At start-up of my brand new car the brakes do not work. I go to reverse and the car does not completely stop. It's extremely dangerous and scary. There are plenty of forums on this issue at www.skyroadster.com this must be resolved before someone is killed. *tr
At start-up in my gm 2008 Saturn sky, I go to reverse. When I do reverse and apply the brakes, the car does not stop. I have to floor the brakes and it still didn't stop. This happens everytime I initially start the vehicle. *tr
While starting up my 2008 sky redline, the brakes do not work. I went to reverse out of the driveway and when I applied the brakes they did not work. I had to floor the brakes and it still kept going. This has happened to me 10 times and the car is only a month old. There are plenty forum discussions about this on www.skyroadster.com this must be addressed. Someone could be injured or…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Saturn Sky?
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 brakes problem on the 2008 Saturn Sky?
It's a meaningful issue. 72 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 2,000 and 34,000 miles, with the median around 7,282. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,000; a quarter make it past 34,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/Sky.
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.