2008 Saturn Astra transmission problems

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 61,830 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Transmission · PA

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

Filed Jun 9, 2022 · Transmission · CT

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2021 · Transmission · TX

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?..,,

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Transmission · 37,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Aug 1, 2018 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · 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.

Filed May 23, 2017 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · TX

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

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn astra. The contact stated that the gear shift lever failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · Transmission · 23,000 miles · FL

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 saturn astra. The contact stated while attempting to put the vehicle in park, it independently shifted to reverse. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 12/13/16

Filed Jun 2, 2016 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · CA

Foot on the brake, shifting from park to reverse (immediately after the car was started), all the lights on the prndl (automatic transmission gear position indicator) illuminated. Though moving the shift lever, the gear would not engage. Pushed shifter back to park then slowly to reverse. Finally it clicked in. This happens every time I shift to reverse, foot on the brake. The car only has 68,000 miles on it. From another owner, april 2016 complaint: "same as your recall #12v46000 for the saturn aura...2008 saturn aura power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) the federal safety agency campaign #12v460000 date announced: september 18, 2012 vehicles affected: 426,240 summary: general motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 saturn aura and model year 2008-2010 chevrolet malibu and pontiac g6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate. " you need to recall saturn astras for the same reason. Plastic clips are deteriorating - accidents will happen. Other complaint stated: spoke with gmc yesterday on 11apr16 - they admitted that the same clips were used on prndl cable in the astra - just made at other factories "than the ones affected in the recall."you already have reports of the same issue from astra owners that mimic the ones in sister-cars. Please investigate.