10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
464 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #13

May 182008

Sky 4-cyl

  • 250 miles
I purchased a Saturn Sky redline less than 2 weeks ago. Each morning when I start the car after it has sat overnight, and attempt to use the brakes, the pedal goes down to the floor accompanied by a vibrating feeling. This morning I nearly hit a car traveling past my driveway when I had to use much more effort than usual to bring the car to a stop. There seemed to be absolutely no power brakes. After looking online I have now read about other owners who are experiencing the same issue. My dealership did not make me aware of this issue or that I need to follow any special procedure.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #12

Mar 252008

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles
The brakes do not work properly until the car is warmed up. Could not stop when backing up.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #11

Mar 242008

Sky 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 4,445 miles
I was traveling at 20 mph about 25 minutes into morning commute when the vehicle in front of me impacted another vehicle. At this time I applied my brakes to the floor along with my clutch. I felt my ABS working, but the car did not stop in the approximately 30 feet of space and I impacted the car in front of me. Inspection and damage report to follow. I felt the car should have stopped with room to spare given the distance and pressure applied. Thank you for your time and consideration.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #10

Sep 262007

Sky

  • miles
I am so disappointed in my new 2008 Saturn Sky. I've had to take it to las vegas 3 times for brake problems. At start up there are no brakes for the first 45 to 60 seconds. The brakes go from rock hard, to crunchy, and then finally working. The dealer is telling us now, that this is normal for this car. We were not warned of the brakes before we bought the car! the 3rd time we took it in for the start up brake problem and for the brakes not working when stepping on the brake while using cruise control! this happened to me going 55 miles per hour down the highway. Was told by the dealer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and was given a print out saying that the vehicles brakes are normal for this vehicle! the brakes failed to work again going down the highway at 75 miles per hour! this can not be normal. Anyone else having cruise control brake problems with their 2008 Saturn Sky"? does someone have to die before they decide it is not normal for the brakes not to work??" on this form I put the incident date as September, which is right after I bought the car. The cruise control issue started in Feb 08.

- Kingman, AZ, USA

problem #9

Mar 052008

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2008 Saturn Sky redline with 700 miles. The brakes do not work until the vehicle warms up. I live in a warm climate so outdoor temperature is not a factor. This is a very serious problem that needs to be addressed before someone is hurt or worse!

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #8

Jan 232008

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175 miles
When the car is not warmed up for several minutes the brakes do not work.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 272008

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 275 miles
Upon starting the car the first time of the day, or after extended shutdown, the brake pedal has excessive travel and feels as if the car has no brakes. Upon initially attempting to apply the brake when backing out of the garage it feels as if there is a binding or grinding feel along with the excessive brake pedal travel. If I wait for the car to idle for a minute or two this does not happen.

- Pleasant View, TN, USA

problem #6

Jan 272008

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25 miles
The vehicle has very poor brake response after initial cold start. If the vehicle is put in gear without allowing a minute warmup the brakes will not function properly. Although the manufacturer and dealer recognize this issue they call this normal. If this vehicle was left in a parking garage or valet situation for extended periods it is my opinion the valet would crash this vehicle not knowing to let it warm up!! this is a much more serious problem than GM Saturn is considering it to be.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #5

Nov 102007

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles
Brakes do not work at start-up. When I start vehicle and go to drive or reverse, the brakes do not function. I try to press hard on the brakes and it still doesn't stop the vehicle. This has happened many times and there are forums on it on skyroadster.com. Also, if you do a search on the web and type in -Saturn Sky brakes you will find sites the same complaints. Many have the same problem. This is a brand new 2008 Saturn Sky redline. I'm afraid I may hit something or someone. It's very scary not to mention what if I give the car to valet"?? or let someone else drive it" this is a safety issue and must be resolved before someone gets hurt. Dealer says this is normal for brakes to be this way at start-up. I have never heard of such a thing like this on other cars. Please help!!!

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 102007

Sky

  • Automatic transmission
  • 450 miles
While starting up my 2008 Sky redline, the brakes do not work. I went to reverse out of the driveway and when I applied the brakes they did not work. I had to floor the brakes and it still kept going. This has happened to me 10 times and the car is only a month old. There are plenty forum discussions about this on www.skyroadster.com this must be addressed. Someone could be injured or killed. Also, what if you gave the car to a valet or someone else to drive"??" anyone would be extremely scared. It's definitely a safety issue. Please resolve!!!

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 152007

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At start-up in my GM 2008 Saturn Sky, I go to reverse. When I do reverse and apply the brakes, the car does not stop. I have to floor the brakes and it still didn't stop. This happens everytime I initially start the vehicle.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #2

Nov 082007

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Saturn Sky red line brake failure anytime the car sits for a few hours or more. No brake pressure. Car is hard to stop.

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 072007

Sky 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17 miles
We took delivery of a 2008 Saturn Sky rl (turbo) in early August 2007. The very next day we started the car and pulled out into the driveway. When the brakes were used to slow the vehicle their was about a 75% failure with the brake pedal. My wife was briefly panicked and slammed the brakes down further and eventually got the car to stop. By this point she had already traveled an extra 15 feet down the driveway and nearly hit me as I was standing in the driveway watching her back out her new vehicle. We initially thought since the vehicle was new that it might just need a few days to get things working. She drove the car very carefully for a few days and pumped the brakes before each use. After a few days the issue did not go away so we contacted the dealer. We brought the car into the dealer (which is sat for 3 weeks). Eventually we were told by the dealer that this is a problem with the car and is caused because they eliminated the brake vacuum pump from the 08 models. The dealer said they would install the old vacuum pump on our car but it could not be done for another 4 months because they don't have the parts. The concern with this car is we are now familiar with the vehicle and understand to let it run for a few minutes before driving. Out of several new cars over the years I must admit this is the first time I have been told to let the car run for a minute so the brakes will work. However my concern is around someone new driving any 08 Sky? I think there is a huge safety concern around a peson in valet. I have seen numerous complaints regarding this same issue on the skyroadster forums and feel it is a matter of time before there is an accident or some is seriously injured by being backed over.

- Broomfield, CO, USA