NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,057 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 Sky electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Saturn Sky Owner Comments

problem #15

Oct 032016

Sky

  • 58,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that the check engine and emergency brake warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (electrical system), 14V171000(electrical system), and 17V061000 (air bags). The parts for the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect and VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Largo, MD, USA

problem #14

Sep 162016

Sky

  • 89,000 miles
My cars air bag light came on I took it to the dealer and it would not pass state inspection due to the passenger module sensor. I had to pay over 900 dollars to get it fixed. I have heard multiply people complaining about the same issue. Therefore I think there should be a recall. I did nothing to cause this failure to happen yet I am responsible to pay for it.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #13

Jul 032014

Sky 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 22,655 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. Five days after the vehicle was repaired per an ignition switch recall, the factory radio failed to work. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer provided no repair solution. The recall details were unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 22,655. Updated 09/08/16

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #12

Mar 102016

Sky

  • 38,000 miles

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

The airbag light illuminated indicating an issue with the sensor in the passenger presence system. I had the car examined by the dealer who diagnosed a problem with the passenger presence system. The car has approximately 46K miles and at the time of the light illuminating had approximately 38K miles. The dealer stated that because the car is out of warranty, I am responsible for the cost of the repair. I elevated the issue to GM corporate who stated that they would not repair the vehicle at their cost but offered me a $1000 GM loyalty credit towards the purchase of a new vehicle. I was told that the pps defect disables the passenger airbag. This is a safety issue as it may result in a serious injury or loss of life should the airbag not deploy in an accident. The ignition switch was replaced under the recall for similar risks. At this point, I have instructed my family to not allow anyone in the passenger seat as we would not be able to safely protect a passenger in the event of an accident. This is creating a loss of use for me and my family.

- San Antoniio, TX, USA

problem #11

Feb 202015

Sky

  • 49,000 miles
The air bag warning light is on at all times and "service air bag" appears in the driver information center and must be cleared after each start. The issue has been determined to be a faulty passenger presence sensor located in the bottom of the passenger seat. This has now rendered the passenger airbag inoperative at all times and possibly affects the safe operation of the entire SRS system. After doing some research online, this is a very, very common problem with the Saturn Skys and Pontiac solstices. It is very expensive to fix (around $800-$1000 for parts and labor) and apparently the replacement part has an equally short life expectancy and seems to develop the exact same problem for most of those that have replaced it thus far (according to research done online). This creates a very dangerous situation particularly since these 2 seat cars are quite small with plastic body components therefore making the airbags a necessity in a collision. GM, as well as their dealers are very aware of this problem but appear to be doing nothing to remedy the situation. Clearly it is NHTSA's duty to force their hand and make them recall these cars and replace these parts with a redesigned part that will work properly and that has an acceptable service life!

- Mount Dora, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 032015

Sky

  • 26,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, the service air bag warning message was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The failure mileage was 26,000.

- Linn Creek , MO, USA

problem #9

Jul 202015

Sky

  • miles

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

To whom it may concern, I would like to notify the NHTSA as well as GM that the recent Hummer recall does not include vehicles that share some of it's components that are being recalled currently. It also effects the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC canyon trucks. As well as the vehicle I drive which is the Saturn Sky and it's identical Pontiac solstice. The Sky/solstice has the same HVAC unit and wiring harness that is being recalled due to fire risks in the Hummer. I have called my local Chevrolet dealership and there are no active recalls for my Sky. In order to get the revised part that is being installed in the Hummer, it would cost me $150 out of pocket without labor. Being that this is my only vehicle for work and school, I fear for my safety due to the fact that this is a low volume vehicle in comparison to the Hummer and it will be ignored by both GM and NHTSA. I believe if one vehicle gets recalled for a particular component, it is the job of both GM and NHTSA to see if said components were used in other vehicles, to which GM did for 4 other vehicles; Colorado, canyon, Sky, and solstice. Thank you for your time. Please note this complaint is simply to notify, my car has not caught fire, but I do know that my A/C is acting odd lately and I am worried about my safety and the safety of others that is being ignored.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #8

Dec 022013

Sky 4-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
The "service air bag" message started to intermittently display. My understanding is that it is a faulty passenger presence sensor (pps), and that GM will not pay for the repair or issue a recall.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #7

Jul 072014

Sky

  • 3,700 miles
The purpose of this E-mail is to notify you of problems I'm experiencing trying to get the recall accomplished on my Sky. I've called scholfield (the designated repair dealer for my area) multiple times and am getting a run around. They tell me they can't get the parts and it will be 6-8 weeks before they expect a delivery. I'm wanting to put out a notice that if there is an issue with this car while waiting for an inexpensive defective part, there may be other outcomes, most assuredly undesirable. Whatever can be done, needs to be done as this vehicle is a potential threat on the roads and that is not due to my persistence in trying to get the mandated recall done. According to the letter, "you should contact your GM dealer to arrange a service appointment as soon as possible." I have tried to do this on numerous occasions, only to be put off by the service department. Any assistance you could offer would be much appreciated as this doesn't seem to be a priority for the dealership.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #6

May 092014

Sky

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The dealer stated that the parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle and could not provide an estimate date of arrival. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #5

Jan 022012

Sky 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles

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

Passenger air bag light says off when someone is seated or unseated. Also shows red error airbag light on dash. Per the GM dealer, they say the passenger airbag will not deploy. This is a major safety issue that needs to be recalled.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #4

Apr 012014

Sky

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Sky. The contact received NHTSA recall campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and for 14V171000 (electrical system however, the dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be performed because the necessary parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the delay. There were no failures.

- Manila, AR, USA

problem #3

Mar 212014

Sky 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
The vehicle was being driven at highway speeds, upon avoiding a collision with another vehicle, the Saturn Sky I was in had collided with the concrete center divider and became airborn. The airbags did not deploy after first colliding with the divider, nor after it had landed back onto its wheels. Hazard lights were operable, onstar did not activate. Injuries were sustained to both the driver and passenger.

- Fort Worth , TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 292014

Sky

  • miles
I have a Saturn Sky in the recall and it's my understanding we can get a loaner for free while we wait for parts to come in. Orr Chevrolet in texarkana said all they have to loan is cobalts, and this concerns me for obvious reasons. I asked if he knew those are also recalled and he laughed and said yes but that's all they got. I suggested they take a vehicle off their used sales lot that isn't made by GM but they can't do that. Obviously I didn't take the even less safe cobalt and I'm still driving my Sky, but I'm concerned that they're offering the most deadly car of them all and that other drivers may end up taking them, possibly for months.

- De Queen, AR, USA

problem #1

Feb 072013

Sky 4-cyl

  • 48,500 miles
While driving on the expressway, the car completely lost power for several seconds, and some of the trouble lights on the dash lit up. While trying to exit the expressway, power came back and the dash returned to normal. The same scenario happened again nearly a year later. GM technicians could not find anything wrong.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

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