Owners filed 162 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
05200052,000 milesMedian miles at failure
72 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
95
3
0
4
Power Train
15
0
0
0
Electrical System
15
0
1
0
Unknown or Other
5
0
0
0
Steering
5
0
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
4
0
0
0
Engine
4
1
1
2
Visibility
3
0
0
0
Tires
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
2
0
1
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V063000
Filed Feb 3, 2016113,716 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc
Defect. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Apr 16, 202661,830 milesCA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Astra. The contact stated that while shifted to park(P), the vehicle occasionally started rolling forward or backwards. The contact engaged the parking brake. Additionally, the contact was unable to start the vehicle and had to jiggle the key to start it. The contact stated that the gear shift lever was shifted from park(P) to neutral(N) several times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that recently the check engine and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,830.
Power Train
Filed Mar 20, 2025PA
THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT BUSHING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE
Steering
Filed Mar 16, 2025PA
Lost power steering without any warning it got very stiff i could not steer the car it got electric power steering pump not mechanical. i want online and this vehicle is made by GM / Opel . many people having the same issue .and parts are discontinuned and only available as used or you can get it shipped from Europe.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 9, 2022MA
My right headlight, kept going out. I couldnt get a sticker because the mechanic stated the headlight kept burning. He reground the right headlight so it could get energy from the battery. Currently, everything in the diagnostic of the car says low beam.
Power Train
Filed Jun 9, 2022CT
I can't get in gear. Sometimes I can put it gear but after I have stopped and put it in park, it will not go into any gear so I get stuck. I am a senior and bought this second hand. It only has 47,000 miles on it. It appears it doesn't always go into park properly. This shift problem has been recalled on other cars of this make and model and I need it repaired as soon as possible. It happens all the time and I am afraid to drive it anywhere.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Oct 1, 2021TX
The car suffers from improper gear shifter issues. The gear shifter will not move into park properly, and has multiple times made the car slide after we leave the car. Car will not start unless gear is moved to Neutral many times. Looks like this is a similar problem to the one on Saturn Aura that has recalls on it for the same issue. Why is the Astra not covered under the recall?..,,
Air Bags
Filed May 18, 2021AZ
I have received the recall and the dealership said they ordered the part and told me it was safe to drive till the part came in as they have ordered it. So then i had them put it in writing that it is safe to drive.I am asking why are they letting me drive this vehicle with this dangerous recall.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 19, 202175,000 milesMI
I BOUGHT THIS 2008 SATURN ASTRA XR USED IN 2014 FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO MANY REPAIR SHOPS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS BUT AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS AND THEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING VARIOUS PARTS AND COMPONENTS IT STILL CONTINUED HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS THAT ALL THE GENIUS MECHANICS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE. I SUSPECT THAT THE CAR DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A TRADE-IN CAR THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A WATER FLOOD DAMAGE SITUATION AND ALL OR MOST OF THE HIDDEN WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE PROBABLY CORRODED AND RUSTED. BUT NONE OF THE GENIUS MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON MY CAR EVEN SUSPECTED THAT ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR COULD'VE BEEN CAUSED BY WATER FLOOD DAMAGE. THEY JUST KEPT REPLACING MANY OLD PARTS WITH NEW PARTS AND CHARGING ME LOTS OF MONEY. PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT OR FIGURE OUT IF MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A WATER FLOOD DAMAGE SITUATION THAT IS STILL CAUSING THESE STARTING PROBLEMS. IT TAKES ME 15 MINUTES TO OVER AN HOUR TO START THIS CAR EACH TIME FOR ALL THESE YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2014. TODAY IS FRIDAY 3-19-2021, THANK YOU
Steering
Filed Jan 11, 2021170,000 milesIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Dec 5, 201911,500 milesWI
ON 12/4/19 THE AIRBAG IN THE 08 SATURN ASTRA DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE DRIVEWAY BRICK WALK AND FENCING OF A NEIGHBORING HOUSE ADJACENT TO A LOT THAT I WAS PULLING OUT FROM. I SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS BUT HAVE A LOT OF NECK AND CHEST PAIN.. I'VE MADE THE COMPLAINT TO TAKATA AND INFORMED THEM THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST MONTH FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP.. HOW DO I RECOUP FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS, I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AND I NEED MY TRANSPORTATION. THE CAR CAN'T START .
Air Bags
Filed Aug 7, 2019HI
TAKARA RECALL. I HAVE A 2008 SATURN ASTRA XR THAT I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FROM. WHERE DO I CONTACT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED?
Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 201937,000 milesKY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ERRONEOUSLY DISPLAYED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE DRIVE #3 POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BIG M CHEVROLET (704 N. DIXIE BLVD, RADCLIFF, KY) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 30, 2019150,000 milesCA
AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE CAUSING ME MORE INJURY FOR NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 15, 2019DE
RECALL AIRBAGS NOTIFICATION UPON PURCHASE 4/13/2019
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 27, 2018MD
I HAVE HAD A PAID FOR MULTIPLE FLEX PIPES AS WELL AS A CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPAIRS I WAS JUST INFORMED THE FLEX PIPE IS BROKEN AGAIN. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT AFTER REPAIRING THIS PART TWICE THAT THIS PART WAS BE DEFECTIVE. KINDLY ADD MY COMPLAINT . I WILL ALSO BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE EPA IN WASHINGTON DC IN HOPES THAT THIS ISSUE CAN FINALLY BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Electrical System
Filed Sep 17, 201890,000 milesCO
PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN FOUR MONTH PERIOD. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING 30-40 MPH. WITHOUT WARNING THE ASSISTED POWER STEERING CEASED OPERATION. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF, DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND THE TURNING RANGE SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. NO DISCERNIBLE ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE MECHANIC CHECKED ALL FUSES AND FOUND NO FAULT. THE MECHANIC DECIDED TO REPLACE A FULLY FUNCTIONING FUSE, WHICH FIXED THE ISSUE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE AND A HALF MONTHS. A FEW DAYS AGO, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE ISSUE RETURNED-POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN. THE REASON FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE REMAINS UNCLEAR.
Power Train
Filed Aug 1, 201870,000 milesMI
THE VEHICLE WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE RECENTLY PARKED AND TURNED OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK WHEN IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN PARK AND IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN REVERSE OR IN NEUTRAL.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 23, 2018DC
GM DEALERS ARE EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE ABOUT MAKING THIS REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN GETTING NOTICES FOR A YEAR ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECALL REPAIR. YET 10 THEY DON'T STOCK THE PART; AND 2) WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR BECAUSE IT IS A SAME DAY REPAIR. SO I HAVE TO COOL MY HEELS AT A DEALER FOR 4 HOURS WHILE THEY MAKE THE REPAIR? THIS SUCKS -
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jan 4, 201894,065 milesKY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA EQUIPPED WITH PRIMEWELL VALERA SPORT AS (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 225/45/ZR17 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TIRE ROLLING BY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS MISSING; HOWEVER, A SMALL PIECE OF SIDEWALL WAS STILL ON THE RIM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE WERE NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,065 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Air Bags
Filed Dec 6, 2017MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MCLAUGHLIN CHEVROLET IN WHITMAN, MASSACHUSETTS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 83031285376. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF UPDATED 8/24/18*JB
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Feb 3, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.