2008 Saturn Astra Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Saturn Astra.

< older2009
Complaints
192
Crashes
9
Fires
5
Injuries
13
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2008 Saturn Astra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#195 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:58,455 mi
Crash-related:3
#220 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:76,890 mi
Fires:1
#316 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:51,554 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Saturn Astra.

Airbags
95
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
58,455
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,890
Transmission / Drivetrain
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
51,554
Engine Problems
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,720
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
86,260
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Sidewall
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Saturn Astra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Saturn Astra

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~113,716 vehicles.

16V063000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~113,716 affected

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.

Other Saturn Astra Years

2008 Saturn Astra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Saturn Astra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2008 Saturn Astra has 192 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 95 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Saturn Astra?
Top reported problems: Airbags (95 complaints, avg 58,455 mi); Electrical Faults (20 complaints, avg 76,890 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (16 complaints, avg 51,554 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Saturn Astra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 61,788 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Saturn Astra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Saturn Astra include 9 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Saturn Astra have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 113,716 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Saturn Astra?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Saturn Astra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Saturn Astra

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