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.
The worst 2008 Saturn Astra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags96
- Electrical22
- Transmission17
- Engine10
- Visibility8
- Steering6
- Body5
- Acceleration4
- Fuel system4
- Tires4
- Wheels3
- Lights2
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Saturn Astra
Trouble codes owners of the 2008 Saturn Astra mention
P2138 2
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 16V063000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2008 Saturn Astra
Defect investigations
Desiccated 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 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 inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Saturn Astra 793
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field...
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock...
2008 Saturn Astra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 24 | 30-32 | 27 |
What 2008 Saturn Astra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?..,,
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.
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
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.
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 .
Compare the 2008 Saturn Astra
Other model years
20082009
Questions about the 2008 Saturn Astra
Is the 2008 Saturn Astra reliable?
Owners have filed 162 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Astra, close to a typical Astra model year.
What is the 2008 Saturn Astra year score?
The 2008 Saturn Astra scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn Astra: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Saturn Astra?
Airbags, with 96 complaints, typically around 63,773 miles. Next is electrical (22).
How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Astra have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Saturn Astra airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V063000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Saturn Astra get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Saturn Astra range from 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 24 city and 30-32 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 Saturn Astra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history