Reliability
Saturn

Sky (1st)

2007-2010 · Sports Car · 3 engines
516 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
18 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.5 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar sports cars

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 25 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 53.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Covers the 2007 to 2009 model years only (the generation ran 2007 to 2010).

Breakdown
Complaints overall25 complaints against about 53 for similar vehicles
8.5
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced1 complaints against about 8 for similar vehicles
9.5
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

By model year
  • 20078.3
  • 20089.0
  • 20098.4

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

2.0L 4-cyl turbo 9.3/10
About 88% fewer powertrain complaints than the 2.4L 4-cyl, per vehicle built. (4 powertrain complaints, about 21,000 built)
2.4L 4-cyl 6.9/10
Too few complaints to compare. (19 powertrain complaints, about 12,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. These are powertrain complaints only, so they are fewer than the engine-code counts further down, which take complaints of every kind. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall07V589
Power Train, Axle Assembly, Axle Shaft, Seal · 11,458 vehicles (35% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

LNF

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 260 hp
231 complaints 77.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
155
brakes
60
electrical
20
interior
15
transmission
2

Same engine used in

LE5

2.4L 4-cyl
227 complaints 75.7 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
177
electrical
27
interior
13
transmission
12
brakes
10

Saturn Sky Unidentified Engine

55 complaints 18.3 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
32
brakes
15
electrical
8
interior
4
engine
1
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LQ9

6.0L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
safety systems
1

LY8

1.3L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Sky, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Safety Systems: 366 owner complaints
Brakes: 85 owner complaints
Electrical System: 56 owner complaints
Interior: 32 owner complaints
Transmission: 15 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2007-2010 Saturn Sky

On a used 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (366), the brakes (85) and the electrical system (56). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 366 owner complaints on the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
  2. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 85 owner complaints on the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky about the brakes.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky about the electrical system.
  4. Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky about the seats, seat belts and interior.
  5. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky

Recalls (6)

17V061000Jan 26, 2017serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.

14E021000Apr 30, 2014serious
Electrical System

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

14V171000Apr 10, 2014serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

14V047000Feb 10, 2014serious
Air Bags

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

07V589000Dec 20, 2007serious
Powertrain

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Show 1 older recall
07V454000Sep 26, 2007serious
Seat Belts

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." AND STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE ONE TO FOUR INBOARD SEAT STUD FASTENERS THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATION FOR STRENGTH.

Alternatives in Sports Car

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2010 Saturn Sky complaints?

Owners have filed 516 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the brakes and the electrical system.

Is the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 516 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky have?

NHTSA has 516 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky?

NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Saturn Sky?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the brakes and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Sky have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2007-2010 Saturn Sky. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 516 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver