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2009 Saturn Sky problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Saturn Sky is airbags, typically around 42,500 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Sky model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
91/100
Owner complaints
46
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
916
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
21-22mpg
Typical repair
$1,100

The worst 2009 Saturn Sky 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.

  • Airbags
    38
  • Electrical
    6
  • Seats
    5
  • Brakes
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Saturn Sky

Airbag light 17

Recalls 3

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported January 26, 2017 · 91,007 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy
The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737 or Saturn customer service at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 17036.

Recall number 17V061000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Risk
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Pontiac owners at 1‑800‑762‑2737, and Saturn owners at 1‑800‑553‑6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Recall number 14V171000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported February 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737 or Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Recall number 14V047000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2009 Saturn Sky

Defect investigations

HVAC Blower Motor ConnectorOpened February 7, 2020, closed October 27, 2022

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Defect Petition received December 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in Model Years (MY) 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles.An analysis of General Motors (GM) complaint data and information in the federal safety agency?s databases identified thirteen unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with reported incidents that could pertain to blower motor overheating, smoking, or melting in the 90,938 MY2006-2010 Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice vehicles produced. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and thermal damage that may be attributed to the HVAC blower motor although neither incident was confirmed through vehicle inspection. One incident, a MY2008 Saturn Sky with substantial field exposure from a frontal collision, could not have the root cause identified. The other, a MY2007 Pontiac Solstice, did not inform the manufacturer nor take the vehicle to a dealer for evaluation.Most of the 13 incidents reported an overheated or discolored connector with attendant loss of HVAC blower fan function. GM reported 354 warranty claims with the subject components for the Sky and Solstice, none of which included a report of fire and only one report of smoke. Over a period of ten to fourteen years in service, there are two reports of smoke or thermal damage.While the subject Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles do share common components, the Sky and Solstice vehicles have demonstrated very different behavior and their HVAC system has a lower power draw than the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles. The recalled H3 and H3T vehicles generate over triple the failure rate of the Sky and Solstice vehicles. GM suggested in its response to the ODI?s information request that this difference was due to the larger interior volume of a recalled Hummer vehicle imposing a heavier electrical load and duty cycle on its HVAC blower. The duty cycle is defined as how long it takes for the vehicle to cool down enough before the HVAC blower motor fan speed is lowered or turned off completely.Additionally, due to the size differential between the Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles, the parts have a different power draw. The Sky and Solstice vehicles, due to their smaller size, draw less wattage, which reduces the likelihood of a thermal event. This condition in the Sky and Solstice vehicles typically leads to an inoperable HVAC blower motor as opposed to a thermal event.Despite the commonality of parts in the Sky and Solstice vehicles with those that were the basis of a safety recall, the subject vehicles have not demonstrated a safety defect trend that would likely lead to a safety recall or merit further investigation by the ODI. The subject vehicles have a low rate of reported thermal events over the ten to fourteen years they have been in service with the most recent occurring in 2017 with no confirmed fires. The HVAC blower motor was not confirmed to be the root cause for either thermal event cited above.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in the federal safety agency?s possession, information submitted by GM in response to an information request, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner?s allegation, the federal safety agency does not believe that the petition warrants a formal investigation at this time. Consequently, the petition is denied.The entire petition denial can be viewed in the October 14, 2022 Federal Register under DP20-002.(https://www.f

DP20002

Passenger Sensing System Sensor MatOpened May 16, 2016, closed April 24, 2017

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles.The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position.On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition.In view of the recall, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action.The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

DP16001

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Saturn Sky 916

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 916 bulletins for the 2009 Saturn Sky

2009 Saturn Sky fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylRWD1927-2821-22
2.4L 4‑cylRWD1924-2521

What 2009 Saturn Sky owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 29, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · MI

Ignition was replaced under recall and now the passenger air bag light is on and will not go out and passenger side airbag is inop. ABS Ecm failed and replacement cost was $1300.00. This is a known issue and should be investigated. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 20, 2023 · Airbags · 58,500 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags); for which a temporary repair was performed, but later the manufacturer refused to permanently repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,500.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Airbags · GA

Vehicle only has 5000 miles on it purchased new in 2009 has ignition problem and airbag service problem

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Airbags, Brakes · 35,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag and electronic brake control module (EBCM) warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side air bag and EBCM needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the EBCM; however, the passenger's side air bag was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Filed May 20, 2022 · Airbags · 14,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated, with the service air bag message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced by the dealer under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bag). The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Airbags · VA

In 2019 I took my car in for a recall I had received. It was for the PPS. Instead of replacing the faulty system, they simply put a "reinforcement" piece of tape over the faulty system. I rarely drive the car and I rarely have passengers. 2 years and almost 5k miles later, now the faulty system is broken. The sensor in the seat has failed. No surprise there. The dealership is trying to charge me $1400 to replace the faulty sensor that should have been replaced 2 years ago. This is causing anyone who possible is a passenger in my car to be at risk, since now that the sensor is broken, the air bag will not deploy. Other people with this car have had or are having the same issue. I do not understand why a tape fix was approved and implemented for something so serious as the safety of my passengers.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Lights · 53,000 miles · MO

The gauges illumination is very poor since the gauges are so deep set in the dash. I can hardly read the speedometer during the day, isn,t very bright even at nite. The mfg. Should do a recall to upgrade the dash lights.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Lights · 132,800 miles · TX

The instrument cluster is set deep into the instrument panel for styling purposes. As a result, the gauges are very dark and cannot be read during daytime driving. Gm should make a software patch available to turn on the back lighting to the gauges day or night when the ignition is turned on. Other vehicles are setup this way. The saturn sky should too. How can I drive safe when I cannot see how fast I am going?

Filed Dec 9, 2020 · Suspension, Transmission · 32,780 miles · MI

Steering sensor,steering position,lost comm yaw rate sensor,lost comm steering rate' service warning light on ,traction control ABS braking malfunction. Blogs indicate this has been a common general motors issue among saturn and other models

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Airbags · 24,800 miles · PA

I took my 2009 saturn sky redline to a gm dealer on 9/18/2018 for gm recall 17036. They performed the work (installed reinforcement), but less than 2 years later, with less than 2500 miles since the repair, the "service airbag" light came on. On 9/2/2020, I took it back to the dealer, who says the passenger seat sensor must be replaced, at a cost to me of $1182. This is a safety issue for which gm should be responsible. The car was barely used since the recall work was done, and it's obvious that the sensor was on the verge of failure at that time. Total mileage on the car now is 25,000.

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Other model years

200720082009

Questions about the 2009 Saturn Sky

Is the 2009 Saturn Sky reliable?

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2009 Saturn Sky, fewer than a typical Sky model year.

What is the 2009 Saturn Sky year score?

The 2009 Saturn Sky scores 91 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saturn Sky: 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 2009 Saturn Sky?

Airbags, with 38 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles. Next is electrical (6).

How many recalls does the 2009 Saturn Sky have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Saturn Sky airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 17V061000, 14V047000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Saturn Sky have bad airbags?

The Saturn Sky model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (234 complaints), 2008 (94 complaints) and 2009 (38 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Saturn Sky get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Saturn Sky range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19 city and 27-28 highway.

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