Saturn Astra Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Saturn Astra options? We analyzed 2 model years (2008–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
SATURN ASTRA 2008-2009 models have 164 NHTSA complaints, with air bags accounting for 97. The 2008 model year has 162 complaints, while 2009 has only 2. Two recalls exist. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Saturn
- Model
- Astra
- Model years analyzed
- 2008–2009 (2 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 164
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Fire-related complaints
- 3
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2008 (162 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2008-2009 Saturn Astra has 164 total complaints, with air bags accounting for 97 (59%). The 2008 model year dominates with 162 complaints. Two recalls exist. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Air bags account for 97 of 164 total complaints.
- The 2008 model year has 162 complaints, far exceeding the 2009 model year's 2.
- Electrical system complaints total 22, the second most common issue.
- AIR BAGS: 97 complaints, the most frequent issue.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 22 complaints, potential for intermittent failures.
- POWER TRAIN: 18 complaints, including transmission or drivetrain issues.
The 2008 model year has 162 complaints, driven primarily by air bag issues (97) and electrical system problems (22).
The 2009 model year shows only 2 complaints, suggesting it may be more reliable than 2008, but data is limited.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Inspect air bag system for warning lights or prior deployment.
- Request service records for electrical and power train repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
2 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2008–2009. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 164 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
164 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
My right headlight, kept going out. I couldnt get a sticker because the mechanic stated the headlight kept burning. He reground the right headlight so it could get energy from the battery. Currently, everything in the diagnostic of the car says low beam.
Read 14 more owner reports
I can't get in gear. Sometimes I can put it gear but after I have stopped and put it in park, it will not go into any gear so I get stuck. I am a senior and bought this second hand. It only has 47,000 miles on it. It appears it doesn't always go into park properly. This shift problem has been recalled on other cars of this make and model and I need it repaired as soon as possible. It happens all the time and I am afraid to drive it anywhere.
The car suffers from improper gear shifter issues. The gear shifter will not move into park properly, and has multiple times made the car slide after we leave the car. Car will not start unless gear is moved to Neutral many times. Looks like this is a similar problem to the one on Saturn Aura that has recalls on it for the same issue. Why is the Astra not covered under the 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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
ON 12/4/19 THE AIRBAG IN THE 08 SATURN ASTRA DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE DRIVEWAY BRICK WALK AND FENCING OF A NEIGHBORING HOUSE ADJACENT TO A LOT THAT I WAS PULLING OUT FROM. I SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS BUT HAVE A LOT OF NECK AND CHEST PAIN.. I'VE MADE THE COMPLAINT TO TAKATA AND INFORMED THEM THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST MONTH FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP.. HOW DO I RECOUP FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS, I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AND I NEED MY TRANSPORTATION. THE CAR CAN'T START .
TAKARA RECALL. I HAVE A 2008 SATURN ASTRA XR THAT I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FROM. WHERE DO I CONTACT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ERRONEOUSLY DISPLAYED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE DRIVE #3 POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BIG M CHEVROLET (704 N. DIXIE BLVD, RADCLIFF, KY) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE CAUSING ME MORE INJURY FOR NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT.
RECALL AIRBAGS NOTIFICATION UPON PURCHASE 4/13/2019
I HAVE HAD A PAID FOR MULTIPLE FLEX PIPES AS WELL AS A CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPAIRS I WAS JUST INFORMED THE FLEX PIPE IS BROKEN AGAIN. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT AFTER REPAIRING THIS PART TWICE THAT THIS PART WAS BE DEFECTIVE. KINDLY ADD MY COMPLAINT . I WILL ALSO BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE EPA IN WASHINGTON DC IN HOPES THAT THIS ISSUE CAN FINALLY BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN FOUR MONTH PERIOD. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING 30-40 MPH. WITHOUT WARNING THE ASSISTED POWER STEERING CEASED OPERATION. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF, DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND THE TURNING RANGE SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. NO DISCERNIBLE ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE MECHANIC CHECKED ALL FUSES AND FOUND NO FAULT. THE MECHANIC DECIDED TO REPLACE A FULLY FUNCTIONING FUSE, WHICH FIXED THE ISSUE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE AND A HALF MONTHS. A FEW DAYS AGO, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE ISSUE RETURNED-POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN. THE REASON FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE REMAINS UNCLEAR.
THE VEHICLE WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE RECENTLY PARKED AND TURNED OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK WHEN IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN PARK AND IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN REVERSE OR IN NEUTRAL.
GM DEALERS ARE EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE ABOUT MAKING THIS REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN GETTING NOTICES FOR A YEAR ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECALL REPAIR. YET 10 THEY DON'T STOCK THE PART; AND 2) WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BECAUSE IT IS A SAME DAY REPAIR. SO I HAVE TO COOL MY HEELS AT A DEALER FOR 4 HOURS WHILE THEY MAKE THE REPAIR? THIS SUCKS -
Showing 20 of 164 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Saturn Astra
These pages show model-year patterns across 2 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Saturn Astra, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Saturn Astra has 164 complaints on record across 2 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Saturn Astra has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 5 of the Saturn Astra's 164 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Saturn Astra vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Saturn Astra vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Saturn Astra has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Saturn Astra stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Saturn Astra by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Saturn Astra.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Saturn Astra reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Saturn Astra reliable?
Below Average. The Saturn Astra has 164 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Saturn Astra years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2008 (162 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Saturn Astra problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (97 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (22 complaints); POWER TRAIN (18 complaints).
Does the Saturn Astra have recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Saturn Astra. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.