2008 Saturn Astra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Saturn Astra: 1 recall, 162 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V063000 · 2016 · 113,716 vehicles
What's wrong: Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure May cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (96): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (6), fails to deploy (3).
- Electrical (22): the most common themes are electrical failure (9).
- Transmission & drivetrain (17): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), warning light on (5).
- Engine (8): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), electrical failure (2).
The 2008 Saturn Astra has 162 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 2 Astra model years for complaints (2.0× the average Astra year). Complaints peaked in 2016 (69 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 51,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (2 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Saturn Astra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Saturn Astra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Saturn Astra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Saturn Astra problems?
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (96), electrical (22), transmission & drivetrain (17).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Saturn Astra get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Saturn Astra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.