Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Saturn Sky problems
Owners filed 46 complaints about the 2009 Saturn Sky with NHTSA between Jan 2010 and Sep 2023. The most-cited component is air bags (38).
Complaints
46
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags38
- Electrical system6
- Seats5
- Power train3
- Exterior lighting2
- Service brakes1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Suspension1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Visibility1
- Engine1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Steering1
- Seat belts1
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 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
1
0
3
8
4
8
4
2
3
4
3
3
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
38 reports2 related recalls
“Ignition was replaced under recall and now the passenger air bag light is on and will not go out and passenger side airbag is inop. ABS Ecm failed and replacement cost was $1300.00. This is a known issue and should be investigated. Thank you [XXX]”
Electrical system
6 reports1 fire2 related recalls
“THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO THE FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEATS OF THE SATURN SKY'S AND PONTIAC SOLSTICE. A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEATS IS LEADING TO AN EXPENSIVE FIX FOR GM OWNERS. THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT ILLUMINATES DUE TO A FAULTY CRAFTSMANSHIP IN THE SEAT SENSOR. THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND REALLY STARTED TO TAKE PLACE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AFTER THE IGNITION RECALL. THE REPLACEMENT PART AND LABOR IS COSTING AROUND $900 FOR THE REPAIR OF ONE SEAT WHEN THE PARTS CAN BE ORDERED FORM GERMANY FOR AROUND $80. GM KNOWS AND REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSES SOME TYPE OF BODILY HARM.”
Seats
5 reports
“PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR INOPERABLE. MAKES WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM INOPERABLE. WITH ADULT RIDING PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.”
Power train
3 reports
“STEERING SENSOR,STEERING POSITION,LOST COMM YAW RATE SENSOR,LOST COMM STEERING RATE' SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ON ,TRACTION CONTROL ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION. BLOGS INDICATE THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON GENERAL MOTORS ISSUE AMONG SATURN AND OTHER MODELS”
Exterior lighting
2 reports
“THE GAUGES ILLUMINATION IS VERY POOR SINCE THE GAUGES ARE SO DEEP SET IN THE DASH. I CAN HARDLY READ THE SPEEDOMETER DURING THE DAY, ISN,T VERY BRIGHT EVEN AT NITE. THE MFG. SHOULD DO A RECALL TO UPGRADE THE DASH LIGHTS.”
Service brakes
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.