91 of the
623 complaints filed about the Saturn SKY
are about the braking system —
15% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
The parking brake does not engage at all even though the parking brake lever give resistance as normal and only lifts about 5 clicks from the bottom. the vehicle rolls when it is engaged as though it is not even pulled up. This is especially scary because it is a manual vehicle. Only hast 58,449 miles on it. No warning lamps. Have not had it looked at by a dealer or repair facility at this time
NHTSA complaint #11612790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #11547350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When pressing on the brakes in reverse, they fail to stop the resistance is very hard, like stepping on a brick, and it does nothing to slow the vehicle. I had to throw the emergency brake on and put the car in gear in order to stop it from rolling backwards.
NHTSA complaint #11526121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11467985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN FIRST STARTING ENGINE IN THE MORNING OR AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A BIT, THE BREAKS LITERALLY DO NOT WORK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS THE INTERNET AND ONE THAT NOBODY AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ANY DEALERSHIP HAS A CLUE HOW TO FIX. IF MY CAR ROLLS INTO THE STREET OF MY STEEP INCLINED DRIVEWAY? I'M DEAD. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. THE ATTACHMENT IS ONE OF THOUSANDS.
NHTSA complaint #11376288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN SKY. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11075642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN SKY. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE MOVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11075642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE, EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS SET. MY CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND OFF AN EMBANKMENT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS STILL UP WHEN IT STOPPED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11010649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN SKY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES WOULD APPLY INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO A SHOULDER LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI THEFT AND ABS SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,348.
NHTSA complaint #10986249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN SKY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR NEEDED TO BE IN FIRST GEAR TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABLE NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
NHTSA complaint #10967346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I STARTED MY 2008 SATURN SKY AND WHILE BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE I ALMOST HIT THE GARAGE BECAUSE THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKES UPON STARTUP. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE SI A TSB OUT ON THIS FOR CARS SITTING EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THIS CAR ONLY SITS OVERNIGHT AT MOST. THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF EVENT. IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING THE CAR THEY WOULD DEFIANTLY HIT SOMETHING BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY TO APPLY ENOUGH PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE THIS COULD EASILY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT .
NHTSA complaint #10861680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN SKY. WHILE REVERSING DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND STARTED TO SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND STOPPED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #10747773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE 2008 SATURN SKY REDLINE FAILED THE HAWAII STATE SAFETY CHECK BECAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE DEALER THAT DID THE SAFETY CHECK COULD NOT FIX THE PARKING BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10703434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKES/ VACUUM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO GM FOR A FEW ADJUSTMENTS (WHICH DID NOT WORK) AND THEY SAY THAT THE CAR MUST BE WARMED UP FOR 1 MINUTE OR MORE BEFORE DRIVING. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE LIVING IN WARM WEATHER CLIMATE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO WAIT TO DRIVE A NEW CAR IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK AND BE SAFE. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW I CANNOT LET ANYONE DRIVE MY CAR, OR GO TO A VALET IN FEAR THAT THEY WILL HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #10598843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REVS FORWARD BY REVING FORWARD I MEAN THAT WHEN I COME TO A STOP THE CAR GOES FORWARD MANY TIMES UNTIL I COMPLETE A STOP AND EVERYTIME THAT HAPPENS ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. I HAVE ALREADY CHANGE THE BRAKES AND STILL PROBLEM CONTINUES. AIR BAG I HAVE FIXED IT WHEN IT WHEN OFF AND SPEND AROUND $1100 IN TOTAL AND MONTHS LATER WHEN ON AGAIN. I REALLY DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT ANYMORE SO PLEASE HELP AND FIX MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10597063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER FIRST STARTING, THE VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKES. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME I BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT AND I HAD TO KEEP PUMPING THEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO LET IT WARM UP FIRST. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THEY ARE VERY HARD. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10583743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR (2008 SATURN SKY REDLINE, AUTOMATIC, BUILD DATE 7/07) USED FROM A PERSONAL OWNER ON 3/15/2014 WITH 56,607 MILES ON IT. AFTER LEAVING IT IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT I STARTED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OUT OF MY GARAGE. AT THE END OF MY SHORT DRIVEWAY I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP BEFORE I TURNED ONTO MY STREET. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID A SERIES OF PULSATIONS AND WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT STOPPING THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED INTO THE STREET BEFORE I COULD GET IT STOPPED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD A BAD MASTER CYLINDER OR A BRAKE FLUID LEAK BUT AS I CONTINUED ON SLOWLY I EVENTUALLY GOT A FULL BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR STOPPED EVERY TIME AS NORMAL FROM THEN ON. AFTER GETTING HOME I RESEARCHED MY PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT MANY 2008 SKY REDLINES WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. EVIDENTLY GM MADE A CHANGE ON SOME OF THE 2008(ONLY) REDLINES BRAKING SYSTEM BY OMITTING A "VACUUM ASSIST PUMP" OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. GM CHANGED THE BRAKE SYSTEM BACK TO INCLUDE THIS PUMP IN THE 2009 MODEL'S. THE BRAKE PROBLEM ON THIS CAR, AND OTHER 2008'S, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I WAS NOT WARNED OF THIS CONDITION FROM THE SELLER, WHICH IS NOT GM'S FAULT, BUT THESE AFFECTED CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND EQUIPPED WITH THE REGULAR BRAKING SYSTEM AS ON THE 2007 OR 2009 SKY REDLINES. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A STICKER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DASH FROM GM ON "SOME" OF THE NEW 2008 CARS TELLING OF THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM AND WHAT TO DO....BUT IT WAS JUST A STICKER THE NEW OWNER PULLED OFF AS IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE PERMANENT. BY PLACING THESE STICKERS ON THE NEW CARS GM KNEW THERE WAS A NEGATIVE, POSSIBLY FATAL, ASPECT TO THIS BRAKING SYSTEM. THEY DID NOTHING TO CORRECT IT ON THE AFFECTED CARS BUT DID CHANGE IT THE NEXT MODEL YEAR BECAUSE OF OWNER COMPLAINTS I'M SURE.
NHTSA complaint #10573328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.