2008 Saturn Astra Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11731553

Incident

Mar 27, 2026

Mileage

61,830 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11649379

Incident

Mar 20, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11648523

Incident

Mar 16, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11473109

Incident

Apr 22, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11468414

Incident

Jun 4, 2022

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?..,,

NHTSA ID

11435169

Incident

Sep 24, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11417614

Incident

May 18, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11403807

Incident

Aug 3, 2014

Mileage

75,000 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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11387510

Incident

Jan 9, 2021

Mileage

170,000 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 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 .

NHTSA ID

11287389

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

11,500 mi

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?

NHTSA ID

11242180

Incident

Aug 6, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11232413

Incident

Jul 14, 2019

Mileage

37,000 mi

AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATE CAUSING ME MORE INJURY FOR NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11204645

Incident

Mar 15, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

RECALL AIRBAGS NOTIFICATION UPON PURCHASE 4/13/2019

NHTSA ID

11196551

Incident

Apr 13, 2019

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

NHTSA ID

11131943

Incident

Sep 7, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11129982

Incident

Sep 15, 2018

Mileage

90,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11115248

Incident

Jul 31, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

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 -

NHTSA ID

11089588

Incident

Apr 23, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11058508

Incident

Jan 3, 2018

Mileage

94,065 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11052783

Incident

Feb 28, 2017

2008 SATURN ASTRA XR 2DR, 5 SPEED MANUAL, 98K MILES. P2138 CODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS REPEATEDLY OCCURRED, RESULTING IN FIVE REPLACEMENT ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO DATE, WITH A SIXTH PEDAL REQUIRED. ACCELERATOR PEDALS HAVE FAILED IN AS LITTLE AS LESS THAN ONE WEEK OF OPERATION, OR AS LONG AS THREE YEARS OF OPERATION. ALL PEDAL ASSEMBLIES BEING REPLACED WERE OEM DEALER PARTS. WIRING HARNESS WAS INSPECTED FOR WATER INTRUSION PER TSB 07-06-04-019E, AND DETERMINED TO BE A NON-ISSUE. AS THIS IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR, THE FIRST 1/3-1/2 OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRODUCES NO ACCELERATION, MAKING PROPER CLUTCH TO ENGINE RPM ENGAGEMENT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. ADDTIONALLY, THE CAR MAY OR MAY NOT REMAIN IN REDUCED POWER MODE WHILE DRIVING, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE CAR GOING FROM PART THROTTLE TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE CONDITIONS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DRIVER INPUT, CREATING MULTIPLE NEAR-COLLISIONS. VEHICLE BEHAVIOR DUE TO THIS ISSUE IS ERRATIC AND UNPREDICTABLE, AND THEREFORE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ISSUE DOES NOT APPEAR TO CORRELATE WITH WEATHER, TEMPERATURE, TERRAIN, TIME OF OPERATION, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

NHTSA ID

11042529

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (ST CLAIRE CADILLAC, LOCATED ON 3737 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD ORDER THE PART. THE CONTACT HAD AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED, BUT IT WAS CANCELLED BY THE DEALER ONE DAY PRIOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,773. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11001752

Incident

Mar 4, 2016

Mileage

63,773 mi

TAKATA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 16V063. WE GOT NOTIFIED OF THE SATURN ASTRA RECALL IN FEBRUARY OF 2016, WE GOT THE LETTER STATING THE FIX HAS ARRIVED IN APRIL OF 2017. THAT'S 14 MONTHS OF NO WORD AND DRIVING AN UN-SAFE VEHICLE, THAT THE RECALL NOTICE ITSELF SAYS, " IN THE EVEN OF AN INFILTRATOR RUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS." IT'S FAIRLY WORRYING THAT IT TOOK 12 MONTHS TO GET A PART TO CUSTOMERS THAT COULD END UP KILLING PEOPLE. BUT IF I EVEN SCRATCH THE PAINT OF A LEASED CAR THEY WILL JUMP ALL OVER IT IN ASSESSING A PENALTY. RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ID

10995371

Incident

Apr 20, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. ..UPDATED 07/31/17 *BF

NHTSA ID

10991134

Incident

May 22, 2017

Mileage

108,000 mi

THE HORN ON MY VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE, CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER, AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, ADDRESSED BY GM "SPECIAL COVERAGE 10276". UNFORTUNATELY, THAT SPECIAL COVERAGE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND GM IMPLEMENTED AN EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE LIMIT SO IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MANY AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS PERVASIVE PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN BY GM FOR YEARS BOTH IN THE USA (WITH THE SATURN ASTRA) AS WELL AS THE IDENTICAL VAUXHALL ASTRA AND OPEL ASTRA IN EUROPE.

NHTSA ID

10990913

Incident

May 22, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi