2009 Saturn SKY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
42,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 46 complaints (82.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
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 | 38 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Air Bags: 38; Electrical System: 5; Seats: 5; Power Train: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 8; 2015: 4; 2016: 8; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10302040 · 2010-01-23 (January 23, 2010)
SUDDEN FAILURE OF PARKING BRAKE WHICH COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE ACCIDENT/INJURY/DEATH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11382719 · 2020-12-09 (December 9, 2020)
STEERING SENSOR,STEERING POSITION,LOST COMM YAW RATE SENSOR,LOST COMM STEERING RATE' SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ON ,TRACTION CONTROL ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION. BLOGS INDICATE THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON GENERAL MOTORS ISSUE AMONG SATURN AND OTHER MODELS
Owner-reported narrative. 32,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 11382719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10389834 · 2011-03-11 (March 11, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN SKY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DURING HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION AND OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE CRUISE CONTROL, AIR CONDITIONER/HEATING SYSTEM, AND FOG LIGHTS. IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD …
Owner-reported narrative. 40,070 miles reported. Look up ODI 10389834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615221 · 2014-07-22 (July 22, 2014)
AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE PASSENGER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DIC WHEN THEY SAT DOWN. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR SAID THE AIR BAG WAS "OFF". AFTER THE PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING REMAINED AND THE INDICATOR LIGHTS STILL SAID "OFF". DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RESETTING MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IT APPEARS THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11173915 · 2019-02-04 (February 4, 2019)
2009 SATURN SKY BASE MODEL (2.4-LITER INLINE-FOUR ENGINE 177 HP). ISSUE#1: IN MOTION, HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS/HIGHWAYS) AT ABOUT ~30MPH (AND UP TO ~70MPH), THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT DOWN A GEAR HARD ENOUGH TO PULL YOUR BODY FORWARD VIOLENTLY. MY FAULT CODES ARE P0011 AND P0022 BEING THE 'PRINCIPLE' CODE POINTING TO THE "ACTUATOR, SOLENOID CONTROL" OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AUTOMATIC SKY ROADSTERS, MODELS 2007-2009. GM/SATURN HAS FAILED TO ISSUE ANY RECALLS OR EXTENDED COVERAGES AS OF NOW. HTTP…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558916 · 2014-01-07 (January 7, 2014)
FIRST INCIDENT HAPPEN WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK. I GOT INTO A PARKING PLACE AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK. THEN WENT TO SHUT OFF THE CAR BY TURNING THE KEY. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND SO I COULD NOT TURN MY CAR OFF. I HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF BY OPENING THE HOOD AND TAKING THE FUEL PUMP FUSE OUT TO SHUT IT OFF. THE KEY WOULD TURN TO TURN IT OFF BUT NOT OFF. TOOK IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND GOT IT REPLACED. NOT CHEAP. NO WARRANTY. AN INCONVENIENCE. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPEN AS MY GIRLFRIEND GOT INTO MY 2009 SATURN SKY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INTO THE SEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558916 at NHTSA ↗