Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Saturn Astra problems

Owners filed 162 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Astra with NHTSA between Jul 2008 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (96).

Complaints
162
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags96
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Power train17
  4. Engine8
  5. Steering6
  6. Structure5
  7. Tires4
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Visibility/wiper4
  10. Visibility4
  11. Fuel/propulsion system3
  12. Wheels3
  13. Exterior lighting2
  14. Engine and engine cooling2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20083
20091
20104
20115
20123
20135
20147
201514
201669
201732
20185
20195
20200
20214
20222
20230
20240
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

96 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“I have received the recall and the dealership said they ordered the part and told me it was safe to drive till the part came in as they have ordered it. So then i had them put it in writing that it is safe to drive.I am asking why are they letting me drive this vehicle with this dangerous recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2021Air bagsODI 11417614

Electrical system

22 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Astra. The contact stated that while shifted to park(P), the vehicle occasionally started rolling forward or backwards. The contact engaged the parking brake. Additionally, the contact was unable to start the vehicle and had to jiggle the key to start it. The contact stated that the gear shift lever was shifted from park(P) to neutral(N) several times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that recently the check engine and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,830.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11731553

Power train

17 reports1 crash1 fire
“THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT BUSHING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2025Power trainODI 11649379

Engine

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“I BOUGHT THIS 2008 SATURN ASTRA XR USED IN 2014 FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO MANY REPAIR SHOPS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS BUT AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS AND THEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING VARIOUS PARTS AND COMPONENTS IT STILL CONTINUED HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS THAT ALL THE GENIUS MECHANICS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. I SUSPECT THAT THE CAR DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A TRADE-IN CAR THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A WATER FLOOD DAMAGE SITUATION AND ALL OR MOST OF THE HIDDEN WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE PROBABLY CORRODED AND RUSTED. BUT NONE OF THE GENIUS MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON MY CAR EVEN SUSPECTED THAT ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR COULD'VE BEEN CAUSED BY WATER FLOOD DAMAGE. THEY JUST KEPT REPLACING MANY OLD PARTS WITH NEW PARTS AND CHARGING ME LOTS OF MONEY. PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT OR FIGURE OUT IF MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A WATER FLOOD DAMAGE SITUATION THAT IS STILL CAUSING THESE STARTING PROBLEMS. IT TAKES ME 15 MINUTES TO OVER AN HOUR TO START THIS CAR EACH TIME FOR ALL THESE YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2014. TODAY IS FRIDAY 3-19-2021, THANK YOU”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11403807

Steering

6 reports
“Lost power steering without any warning it got very stiff i could not steer the car it got electric power steering pump not mechanical. i want online and this vehicle is made by GM / Opel . many people having the same issue .and parts are discontinuned and only available as used or you can get it shipped from Europe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2025SteeringODI 11648523

Structure

5 reports1 crash
“SEVERAL THINGS ARE HAPPENING, FIRST I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER STATING I WOULD BE CONTACTED CONCERNING AN AIR BAG RECALL, I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED SINCE THAT LETTER BACK IN FEBRUARY 2016.SECONDLY, TODAY MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AFTER A FEW MINUTES I TRIED STARTING IT AND IT DID START. THIRDLY, THE TRIM ON THE ROOF HAS COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED. I WOULD APPRECIATE INFORMATION ON WHEN I CAN GET MY CAR SERVICED FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL REPAIR AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON ANY OTHER RECALLS THAT MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE TWO OTHER CONCERNS I'VE MENTIONED. THANK YOU. [XXX] *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2016Air bags, StructureODI 10925451
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.