The 2008 Saturn Astra has 1 safety recall and 162 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (96 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints162filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V063000 · Feb 3, 2016 · 113,716 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2008 Saturn Astra 2-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2008 Saturn Astra 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Astra 2DR Hatchback
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Astra 2DR Hatchback
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Astra 4DR Hatchback
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Astra 4DR Hatchback
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
96
4
0
5
59,386 mi
Electrical system Horn; Ignition
22
0
1
0
76,900 mi
Power train Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl); Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
18
1
1
2
47,138 mi
Engine
8
1
1
2
62,500 mi
Steering
6
0
0
0
90,000 mi
Unknown or other
6
0
0
0
36,000 mi
Structure Body
5
1
0
1
51,750 mi
Vehicle speed control
4
1
1
2
43,500 mi
Tires Sidewall
4
0
0
0
17,000 mi
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices
4
0
0
0
40,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
4
0
0
0
67,365 mi
Wheels
3
1
0
1
20,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 27, 2026 · 61,830 milesPower train 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…
Mar 20, 2018Power 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
Mar 16, 2025Steering 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.
Apr 22, 2022Exterior 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.
Jun 4, 2022Power 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 need it repaired as soon as possible. It happens all the time and I am afraid to drive it anywhere.
Sep 24, 2021Power 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 Astra not covered under the recall?..,,
May 18, 2021Air 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.
Aug 3, 2014 · 75,000 milesElectrical system 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…