2008 Saturn Astra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 Saturn Astra has 162 NHTSA complaints, giving it a complaint index of 100 and ranking it 1st of 2 model years with data. Airbags account for 59% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,386 miles, and NHTSA lists 1 recall for airbag inflators.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 2 Astra years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 162
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2008 Saturn Astra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags96 (59%)
- Electrical System23 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (10%)
- 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.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in a frontal crash, leading to serious injuries despite the impact.
- Engine control system triggered check engine lights with limited acceleration, tied to a diagnostic code some owners linked to a wiring harness.
- Underhood fires occurred suddenly while driving, in one case destroying the vehicle.
- Electrical system smoke and fire came from the dash and ignition area during normal driving.
- Gas pedal stuck to the floor multiple times when accelerating onto highways.
- Front end alignment issues caused the vehicle to sway to the side at speed.
2008 Saturn Astra recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V063000Feb 3, 2016Airbags113,716 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
2008 Saturn Astra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Astra years
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Recalls | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | No verdict | 100 | 162 | 1 | 27 |
| 2009 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 1 | 27 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many complaints does the 2008 Saturn Astra have?
- NHTSA lists 162 complaints for the 2008 Saturn Astra, the highest of the 2 model years with data, giving it a complaint index of 100.
- What is the most common problem with the 2008 Saturn Astra?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 59% of complaints (96 of 162), with a median failure mileage of 59,386 miles.
- Does the 2008 Saturn Astra have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 16V063000) covers replacement of the driver's frontal air bag inflator.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2008 Saturn Astra?
- Yes, NHTSA complaints include 3 fires, including underhood and dash/ignition area fires reported by owners.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Saturn Astra?
- EPA rates the 2008 Saturn Astra at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400.