NHTSA — Engine Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,720 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Saturn Astra engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Saturn Astra Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 032014

Astra

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #7

Mar 012012

Astra

  • 20,000 miles
Takata recall, parts not available; passenger side outside mirror fell off while car was parked; fuel door will not unlock; air conditioner makes a squealing and rattling noise; car is slow to accelerate when air conditioner is on; occasionally unable to turn key in ignition because steering wheel locks up; one tire loses pressure and has to have air every week or two; repeated problems with loud exhaust. I am the original owner of the 2008 Saturn Astra and it has 48,600 miles. I started having trouble with the car after owning it for 4 years and have had both new and ongoing problems since.

- Normal, IL, USA

problem #6

Mar 032016

Astra

  • 10 miles
Car lose power check engine on diag vehicle replace 2 accelerator pedal still the same problem code P2138 google the vehicle problem GM have open bulletin about some kind of harness replacement for more than 30 models with the same problem it should be a recall

- Upper Darby, PA, USA

problem #5

Nov 012015

Astra

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought car at 35000 miles now at 107000 and have replaced ignition coil pack 3 times. Misfires in 4th cylinder cause car to jerk and heave at highway speeds and run rough also fuel in plugs.

- Kimberly, WI, USA

problem #4

Oct 152014

Astra

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Astra. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle did not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle also made a loud noise, misfired, and the service engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the app sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Scott Depot, WV, USA

problem #3

May 042015

Astra

  • 78,750 miles
When you put the car in reverse the lights light up on the gear shift, and will not engage. I then put the car in park and back in reverse. 2nd time I had an issue that car would not start even though it was in park, I someone try to jump it, thinking it was the battery, because I have gone through 5 batteries because of a short in the doors and also the relay for power locks.. when I put the car in nutral then the car could start and then I can drive it and 3 rd incident I parked the car, my daughter got out of the car and it went forward and she almost got hurt. I took it to my mechanic after the 2nd incident and was told it was the cable. I did research and say that GM recalled thousands of cars because of the cable defect. Saturn aura was recalled also for this issue. I contacted GM to see if they will pay for it, they said there is no recall. That I had to have GM dealer look at it, because they don't believe me. Once GM says it's the cable then they will decide if they will do a repair. Saturn Astra needs to be recalled the cable replaced.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 042014

Astra 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
While making turn car stalls. Also when putting in gear slips out from drive to 2nd from reverse to neutral.

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #1

Sep 292014

Astra

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Astra. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact activated the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic who diagnosed that the cpm failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Towtulsa, OK, USA

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