Is the 2008 Saturn Sky a bad year?
186 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sky years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Saturn Sky are in line with other Sky years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Sky owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 54,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 94 (51%) | 36k–70k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 18 (10%) | 25k–56k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Seats | 6 (3%) | 33k–64k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 72 (39%) | 0k–2k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 54,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 186 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 3 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2008 Saturn Sky: 5
The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag. In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags. If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position. If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position…
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "Seating systems." And standard no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." These vehicles may have one to four inboard seat stud fasteners that do not meet specification for strength. In the event of a crash, the seat and seat belt assembly may not restrain the occupant as intended and could result in injury to the occupant.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Saturn: 269
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Saturn Sky. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
HVAC Blower Motor Connector
Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
Inadequate brake power assist
Neighbouring years
2007 Sky: 284 complaints, keep it · 2009 Sky: 46 complaints, keep it.
Every Saturn Sky year
2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Sky years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn Aura · Saturn ION · Saturn LS · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Vue. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Saturn Sky a bad year?
186 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sky years. At 54,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Sky?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (94), electrical system (18), seats (6), brakes (72).
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Sky have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 17V-061), Electrical system (NHTSA 14E021000), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-171), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-047) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.