2009 Saturn Astra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2009 Saturn Astra has 2 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 2 model years with data. It ranks 2nd (least complaints) out of 2 years, well below 2008's index of 100.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #2 of 2 Astra years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- 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
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Saturn Astra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags1 (50%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (50%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel seizing up while driving around 15 mph, alongside multiple warning indicators lighting up at once.
- Some described the accelerator pedal being depressed with no vehicle response, despite no stored diagnostic codes found.
- One owner reported the transmission would not shift out of reverse.
- Airbag inflator concerns tied to the Takata recall were reported, with owners noting no repair had been completed months after notification.
2009 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.
2009 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.
2009 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
- Is the 2009 Saturn Astra reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 2 complaints and 1 recall for the 2009 Saturn Astra, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 2 model years tracked.
- What problems does the 2009 Saturn Astra have?
- Owners reported issues split evenly between airbags and transmission and powertrain, including a steering wheel seizing and a transmission that would not shift out of reverse.
- Does the 2009 Saturn Astra have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (16V063000) covers a Takata airbag inflator replacement affecting certain 2008-2009 model year GM vehicles including the Astra.
- How does the 2009 Astra compare to the 2008 Astra?
- The 2009 Astra has a complaint index of 0 versus 100 for the 2008 model, making 2009 the lower-complaint year of the two.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Saturn Astra?
- EPA rates the 2009 Saturn Astra at 27 mpg combined (24 city/31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400.