2009 Saturn Sky Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Saturn Sky has a complaint index of 33, the lowest of the model years with data, and carries a Good verdict. Airbag issues dominate, making up 83% of complaints, with three recall campaigns issued.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #3 of 4 Sky years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 46
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Saturn Sky problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags38 (83%)
- Electrical System8 (17%)
- Structure & Body5 (11%)
- Brakes4 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
- Engine2 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Steering1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger airbag warning light illuminates even when the seat is occupied, disabling airbag deployment in that seat.
- Passenger Airbag Suppression System sensor is reported as bent or malfunctioning, especially in hot weather.
- Ignition key sometimes cannot be turned or removed, tied to the ignition switch recall.
- Radiator/condenser cooling fan has locked up and smoked after startup, following A/C use.
- Parking brake failed suddenly without warning.
- Owners report long delays getting recall parts and repairs completed at dealers.
2009 Saturn Sky recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V061000Jan 26, 2017Airbags91,007 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 17036.
- NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
- NHTSA 14V047000Feb 10, 2014Airbags2,190,934 vehicles
Air bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMÂs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
2009 Saturn Sky fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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 Sky years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Saturn Sky reliable?
- Among the four Sky model years with data, 2009 has the lowest complaint index at 33 and a Good verdict, ranking 3rd worst (meaning it's actually one of the better years).
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Saturn Sky?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 38 of 46 complaints (83%), mostly involving the passenger airbag suppression sensor.
- Does the 2009 Saturn Sky have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2009 Sky, covering the airbag suppression sensor, an ignition switch/key issue, and an ignition cylinder defect.
- How does the 2009 Sky compare to other model years?
- The 2007 Sky has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, 2008 sits at 67 with a Caution verdict, while 2009 has a much lower index of 33 and a Good verdict.
- What mileage do airbag problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 42,500 miles for airbag complaints in the 2009 Saturn Sky.