Research · Compact Cars

2009 Saturn AstraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints for the 2009 Saturn Astra. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 27 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
27mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2016
Owner complaints
2
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V063000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2016 – Nov 2016
  1. Air bags1
  2. Power train1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Astra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2008162
20092
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

1 report
“TAKATA INFLATORS: WE WERE NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG PARTS POTENTIALLY EXPLODING IN THE EVENT OF AIRBAGS INFLATING. IT IS NOW NOVEMER 2016 AND THERE IS STILL NO SOLUTION OR REPAIR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2016Air bagsODI 10928029

Power train

1 report
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN ASTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILURE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. 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 FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2016Power trainODI 10889065
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Astra 2DR Hatchback
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243027$2,400329
Astra 2DR Hatchback
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400329
Astra 4DR Hatchback
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243027$2,400329
Astra 4DR Hatchback
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400329
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Saturn Astra as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 5395Vehicle 5389
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Astra questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Saturn Astra have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Saturn Astra problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Saturn Astra get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Saturn Astra at 27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026