Selling a broken-down Saturn Sky

A Sky that has quit running, or one you're tired of chasing warning lights on, can go as is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Sky complaints by model year

No 2010 Sky appears in the complaint count, though three of the five recall campaigns list 2010. Across all years, 18 complaints report a crash, 2 a fire and 19 injuries, with no deaths. A 2009 Sky has had a shorter window for owner filings than a 2007, so weigh the gap with that in mind.

Sky owner complaints and the recalls behind them

2007: air bags and the ignition switch

Besides the 227 air bag complaints, the 2007 has 16 naming the electrical system and 8 the power train. Two 2014 campaigns cover the ignition. Recall 14V047000 is filed under air bags; NHTSA's record says the problem can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. NHTSA's record tells owners to strip the key ring down to the ignition key alone, fob off, until a dealer replaces the switch.

Recall 14V171000 covers the ignition cylinder. GM listed the Sky alongside the Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Ion, so the vehicle counts on these two campaigns, 2,190,934 and 2,191,014, belong to that whole group, not to the Sky.

The 2007 also has recall 07V589000: the rear axle's pinion seal can leak, and dealers fit a new seal. Its 275,936-vehicle count covers other GM models; the record even gives a Cadillac phone number.

2008: brakes join the list

The 2008 has 93 air bag complaints, then 57 naming the hydraulic brakes and 11 more under service brakes. Every one of the Sky's 57 hydraulic brake complaints is on a 2008, yet none of the five recalls is a brake recall. The 2008's own campaign, 07V454000, is about inboard seat studs that can affect the seat and belt anchorage; dealers inspect and swap in a bolt where needed. It lists 1,482 vehicles.

2009-2010: the passenger air bag sensor

The 2009 has 46 complaints, 36 of them air bags. Recall 17V061000, filed in January 2017, covers 2007-2010 Skys and 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstices. It says the Passenger Air Bag Suppression System sensor inside the front passenger seat can become bent or damaged. NHTSA's record notes the lasting fix was still being worked out when it was written, and gives February 26, 2018 as the recall's start. The 91,007-vehicle count includes the Solstice.

Repair it or let it go?

1. Start with a VIN search on NHTSA's site. Three campaigns touch the ignition and the passenger air bag sensor, and a dealer can say what's been done on your car. See open recall if one is still outstanding.
2. Brakes on a 2008? Get a written quote, then read bad or seized brakes.
3. Electrical gremlins? The electrical system is named in 27 complaints. Electrical problems covers when it's worth chasing.
4. Weigh the total. If the repairs come near what a running Sky would bring, selling makes more sense. Repairs cost more than it is worth walks through it.

Selling the Sky as it sits

1. Gather the VIN and mileage, list what's broken, and note if it rolls.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the top: torn, stuck open or fine. Say where the car is parked. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave the parts on, wheels included. Mention anything already removed, because that changes the offer.
5. Have your Sky title and ID out when the driver shows up. Then see after you sell about plates and insurance.

Looking at another Saturn? See the Ion, Aura or every Saturn model.