What year Saturn Astra should I avoid?

No specific Astra year is flagged as an official Avoid year in NHTSA data. However, 2008 accounts for 162 of the 164 total complaints logged, far more than 2009's 2 complaints.

Is the Saturn Astra reliable?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, airbags are the top problem area, making up 59% of all reported issues across both model years, followed by electrical system problems at 14%.

What is the biggest problem with the Saturn Astra?

Airbags are the leading complaint area, with 97 complaints out of 164 total across the 2008 and 2009 model years, a 59% share.

Does the Saturn Astra have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the Astra, covering both the 2008 and 2009 model years, with no do-not-drive recalls listed.

What year Saturn Astra is best?

No Astra year earns a Best or Good verdict in this data. The 2009 model year has the lowest complaint index at 0, with only 2 reported complaints and no crashes, fires, or injuries.

Saturn Astra Best and Worst Years (2008–2009)

No Saturn Astra model year earns a Good, Best, Caution, or Avoid verdict in this dataset. The 2008 model year carries almost all reported issues, with 162 of 164 total complaints and a complaint index of 100, dominated by airbag problems (59% share across all years).

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Model years: 2; 2008–2009
NHTSA complaints: 164
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 5
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Airbags

Astra Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Saturn Astra problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	100	162	5	3	1	Airbags	27	—
2009	No verdict	0	2	0	0	1	Airbags	27	—

Most common Saturn Astra problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags97 (59%)
Electrical System23 (14%)
Transmission & Powertrain18 (11%)
Engine13 (8%)
Visibility & Wipers8 (5%)
Other7 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (4%)
Steering6 (4%)
Structure & Body5 (3%)
Fuel System4 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Saturn Astra should I avoid?: No specific Astra year is flagged as an official Avoid year in NHTSA data. However, 2008 accounts for 162 of the 164 total complaints logged, far more than 2009's 2 complaints.
Is the Saturn Astra reliable?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, airbags are the top problem area, making up 59% of all reported issues across both model years, followed by electrical system problems at 14%.
What is the biggest problem with the Saturn Astra?: Airbags are the leading complaint area, with 97 complaints out of 164 total across the 2008 and 2009 model years, a 59% share.
Does the Saturn Astra have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the Astra, covering both the 2008 and 2009 model years, with no do-not-drive recalls listed.
What year Saturn Astra is best?: No Astra year earns a Best or Good verdict in this data. The 2009 model year has the lowest complaint index at 0, with only 2 reported complaints and no crashes, fires, or injuries.