Saturn ASTRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
164 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
52,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 96 of 164 complaints (58.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 6.1% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 4.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 96 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Air Bags: 96; Electrical System: 20; Power Train: 17; Engine: 8; Steering: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Structure:Body: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 91 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 71 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 7; 2015: 14; 2016: 71; 2017: 32; 2018: 5; 2019: 5; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10532318 · 2013-07-29 (July 29, 2013)
BASICALLY THIS VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING AS YOUR RECALL #12V46000 FOR THE SATURN AURA, SEE BELOW: 2008 SATURN AURA POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) NHTSA CAMPAIGN #12V460000 DATE ANNOUNCED: SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 VEHICLES AFFECTED: 426,240 SUMMARY: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 SATURN AURA AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND PONTIAC G6 VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TABS ON THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE END MAY FRACTU…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,906 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10621399 · 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)
THE PRNDL (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR) STOPPED FUNCTIONING. MOVING THE SHIFTER LEVER (LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS) DOWN OR UP PRODUCED NO ACTION ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS STUCK IN THE ?R? OR REVERSE POSITION AS INDICATED BY THE CLUSTER. TOOK CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY FOUND THAT THE END OF SHIFTER CABLE (LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT) HAS COMPLETELY ERODED. SHOP MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT SATURN AURAS WERE RECALLED A WHILE BACK FOR THAT EXACT ISSUE. WHY WASN'T SATURN ASTRA? REPAIR TOTALED OVER $300…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10374943 · 2011-01-06 (January 6, 2011)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED BEYOND REPAIR. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I HEARD A VERY LOUD THUMP UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER TO INVESTIGATE, WHEN A CAR PULLED BESIDE ME AND THE DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. THE FLAMES QUICKLY GREW AND HUGE BILLOWS OF BLACK SMOKE IMPAIRED VISIBILITY OF THE PEOPLE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED, FROM THE STEERING WHEEL FORWARD, THE CAR WAS LARGELY ASH AND BLACKENED METAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10374943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504780 · 2013-03-28 (March 28, 2013)
OWNER WAS STOP N GO CITY DRIVING PULLED INTO HIS HOME DRIVEWAY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DASH. PARKED CAR AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED FIRE SERVICE. CAR DASH IGNITION AREA BURST INTO FLAMES AND WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED QUICKLY BY FIREFIGHTERS, EXTREMELY FAST MOVING FIRE AND EXCESSIVE SMOKE. TOTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. ALL DAMAGE LIMITED TO INTERIOR. POINT OF ORIGIN WAS LEFT OF LOWER DASH AREA UNDER STEERING WHEEL. UNDER INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME AS TO CAUSE. SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 78,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10513785 · 2013-05-28 (May 28, 2013)
WHEN YOU HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DEFROSTER AND HEAD LIGHTS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL REST ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10619599 · 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)
2008 SATURN ASTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS BOTH ABS AND STABILITRAK SYSTEMS. *SMD THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE, AT A COST OF $ 797.23. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10619599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10667659 · 2014-12-22 (December 22, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CPM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10702308 · 2015-03-28 (March 28, 2015)
WHILE MAKING TURN CAR STALLS. ALSO WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR SLIPS OUT FROM DRIVE TO 2ND FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10702308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916518 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
FUEL LINE 2" SILVER DISK SPAYING GAS ON ENGINE . TEN INCHES AWAY FROM FUEL INJECTOR CONNECTION .EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10916518 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1