2009 Saturn SKY: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 10511629 · 2013-05-13 (May 13, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN SKY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10531785 · 2013-07-25 (July 25, 2013)
THE VEHICLES AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED IN MY DASH UPON STARTING MY VEHICLE TODAY. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT REGISTERING THAT SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ACCORDING TO GM {OWNER OF THE LATE SATURN)THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE THE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND QUOTED ME ALMOST $1,100.00 TO FIX IT. MY FRIENDS SKY IS DOING THE SAME THING, EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE DRIVING AROUND WITH FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEMS! HOW IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? RECALL! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10531785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10531789 · 2013-07-25 (July 25, 2013)
AT START UP AFTER TURNING ON THE A/C THE RADIATOR/CONDENSER COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE FAN TO "LOCK-UP". THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND THE FAN ASSEMBLY BEGAN SMOKING. I'M GLAD I NOTICED THIS AT START UP AND NOT IN NORMAL DRIVING IN WICH THE VEHICLE COULD BLOW UP CAUSING INJURY OR FATALITY TO MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS NEAR THE VEHICLE. YET ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY SATURN SKY! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,895 miles reported. Look up ODI 10531789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558907 · 2014-01-07 (January 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN SKY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558907 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 ↗
Owner report 10573753 · 2014-03-20 (March 20, 2014)
PASSENGER SEAT MODULE SENSOR NOT FUNCTIONING (ACCORDING TO WARNING ON DASHBOARD), WHICH IN TURN WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS IN A VEHICLE COLLISION. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR MOST YEARS OF THE PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND THE SATURN SKY MODELS. THIS IS AN ONGOING MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM IS AWARE OF. PLEASE FACILITATE A RESPONSE FROM GM TO RECTIFY THIS URGENT SITUATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573753 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V047000 · Air Bags | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2014-02-10 (February 10, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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. GMs 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V171000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗17V061000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2017-01-26 (January 26, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗