2008 Saturn Astra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (92) · Power Train (14) · Electrical System (8)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
72 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-03 · campaign 16V063000 · 113,716 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (792)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-09 · 13598 · Other
new vehicle monitoring programs section in ivh
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-07 · PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes b3055, b3060, b3935, c0750, c0755, c0760, c0765, and/o
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Showing the 6 most recent of 792 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-16 · Power Train · 61,830 mi“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 p…”
2025-03-20 · Power Train“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…”
2025-03-16 · Steering“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.…”
2022-07-09 · Exterior Lighting“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.…”
2022-06-09 · Power Train“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…”
2021-10-01 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift“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 as…”
2021-05-18 · Air Bags“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.…”
2021-03-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 75,000 mi“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 th…”
2021-01-11 · Steering · 170,000 mi“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 fa…”
2019-12-05 · Air Bags · 11,500 mi“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.