repaired · 2019 Q2
Sensor: occupant classification
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.
2009 Saturn SKYProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 46 owner complaints about the 2009 Saturn SKY, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-061 the manufacturer reports only 42% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Saturn SKY has problems
46 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
38Air bags
6Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
5Seats
3Power train
2Exterior lighting
1Fuel/propulsion system
1Parking brake
1Engine
1Seat belts
77 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 38 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 1 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 7 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2009 Saturn SKY recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
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…
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
43kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 27 air bags complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
10under 30k miles27under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Air bags
12 owners mentioned a cost$1,100median
Middle half: $1,000 – $1,200
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other SKY year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SKY median. How we score
'07'08'09'10
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Saturn SKY safety ratings
2009 Saturn Sky Convertible in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Saturn SKY, and the recalls they led to.
- Passenger Sensing System Sensor MatLed to recall 17V-061
- HVAC Blower Motor ConnectorNo recall
In owners' words
What SKY owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2009 SKY?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.