Model year guide

2008 Saturn Astra

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Saturn Astra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 61 on record.

2008 Saturn Astra at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints162
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$3,957

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 Saturn Astra recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V063000 · 03/02/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

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. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-95…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 Saturn Astra common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2008 Saturn Astra MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,500

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2008 Saturn Astra worth?

Low
$2,200
Typical price
$3,957
High
$5,800

From 61 comparable 2008 Saturn Astra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Saturn Astra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,500
Fuel only$12,500
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Saturn Astra trims & engines on record

Trims
XR · XE
Engines
3.9L 6-cyl

2008 Saturn Astra vehicles on record

Other Saturn Astra model years

2008 Saturn Astra — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Saturn Astra have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Saturn Astra. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Astra?

Across all 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Saturn Astra get?

The 2008 Saturn Astra has a U.S. EPA estimate of 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2008 Saturn Astra worth?

Comparable 2008 Saturn Astra listings run roughly $2,200–$5,800, typically around $3,957 (from 61 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.