Why is my Saturn Sky's airbag light on, or why won't the cooling fan come on?

Short answer: If your Sky's airbag light is on, the passenger seat sensor is a likely cause, and it's covered by GM recall 17V061000. The dealer fixes it for free, though owners have waited for parts. If the radiator fan won't come on until you pull and reseat its fuse, the fan relay or control module is the likely cause, not the fan itself.

Symptom: The airbag light stays on, and the car fails inspection. Or the engine heats up because the radiator fan won't run, until you pull and push back in the fan fuse.

What to check first

1. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for 17V061000 and the ignition key recalls.
2. Call a dealer and ask about parts timing for the seat sensor.
3. Watch the temperature gauge and listen for the fan when the engine is hot.
4. Swap the fan relay with an identical relay in the fuse box to test it.
5. Have codes read for the fan control and airbag systems.

Likely causes

1. Passenger seat airbag sensor (recall 17V061000). A sensor in the passenger seat cushion weighs the passenger to decide whether that airbag should fire. On the Sky it can bend or break, which turns on the airbag light and can disable the passenger airbag.
2. Fan control relay or module. The fan is switched on by a relay or control module. A Sky fan that only came back after the fuse was pulled and reseated, with a relay-like click, pointed members here.
3. Fan temperature switch. A member suspected the temperature switch that tells the fan to run had burned contacts.

What it usually costs

No owner posted prices in these threads. The recall repair is free.

Is it safe to keep driving?

With the airbag light on, the passenger airbag may not deploy in a crash. Don't put a passenger there until it's fixed. Don't keep driving an engine that's overheating. Members mentioned aftermarket airbag sensor bypasses, but they change how the airbag behaves and may not be safe for children or small adults. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Mixed. A relay swap is DIY. Airbag work must go to the dealer, and it's free under the recall.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Saturn Sky: 17V061000 (2007-2010 model years, passenger air bag suppression sensor); 14V047000 (2007-2010 model years, ignition switch, airbags); 14V171000 (2007-2010 model years, ignition key removal); 14E021000 (2007-2010 model years, certain aftermarket ignition switches). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: Recall 17V061000 covers the passenger seat sensor, which can bend or break and turn off the passenger airbag. Recall 14V047000 is GM's ignition switch recall: a heavy key ring can bump the key out of Run, which can shut off the engine and the airbags. Until it's done, carry only the ignition key on its ring. If your car is part of these recalls, the dealer fixes it for free. Verify with a mechanic.
• NHTSA complaints: 401 keyword-matched complaints for Saturn Sky 2007–2010 (of 516 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-28; keywords: overheat, coolant, electrical, air bag, warning, gauge). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2007 Saturn Sky needs module for airbag recall on Car Talk, a 2007 Sky owner's airbag light was on, so the car failed state inspection and couldn't be registered, while the dealer waited for recall parts. The owner clarified it was the passenger seat weight sensor, which means replacing the seat cushion, and that it had been replaced once before and failed again. A member said the recall fix became available in February 2018 but parts supply could be limited, with waiting lists. Others said the part needs a professional scan tool to calibrate, and that the Pontiac Solstice is essentially the same car.
• In Saturn Sky / Overheating / Electrical Issue? on Car Talk, a Sky owner had replaced the water pump and the whole fan assembly, but the fan still wouldn't come on when the engine got hot. Pulling the fan fuse and pushing it back in made the fan start, for a few days or a few miles, and a relay-like click came from the fuse box. Members pointed to the fan control relay or module, since a power reset brings it back, and to the fan's temperature switch.

Quick tip

Before buying another fan, swap the fan relay with a matching one in the fuse box. It's a free test.

Vehicle focus: 2007–2010 Saturn Sky (US).

Safety / mechanic note

Never work on airbag parts yourself. Keep your key ring light until the ignition recall is done. Verify with a mechanic.