2008 Saturn Aura Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Saturn Aura, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)11317.7%
- Steering11217.6%
- Electrical9214.4%
- Brakes6510.2%
- Driver assistance599.2%
- Exterior lighting426.6%
- Interior & seats386.0%
- Airbags264.1%
- Engine223.4%
- Body & structure182.8%
- Transmission152.4%
- Other / unspecified111.7%
- Fuel system91.4%
- Suspension81.3%
- Tires & wheels30.5%
- Visibility30.5%
- Seat belts20.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The power train has failed the car won't start the fuses and relays are burning up and the transmission shifts so hard at a jolt almost. The service ecs ecm and service airbag indicator staying lit and the back passenger airbag looks like it's about to deploy it's a safety hazard I love my car I've only had it a year and I don't know what is happening or why.
My vehicle’s make and model have received recalls as stated online, however, my specific VIN does not state any recalls. I am having the same symptoms with the airbags, electrical, and transmission as the recalls stated with my make and model. I believe there should be recalls for my vehicle’s VIN. My check engine light has been on, and it is not shifting the way it should. My airbag warning light also turns on at times.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The Air Bag Service Warning Message and warning light is illuminated I took the car back to the dealership had it serviced and a month later the message and light are on again. The passenger Air Bag sensor is malfunctioning sometimes it doesn't detect the passenger most times it detects a passenger when there isn't one. The tail and brake lights work intermittently. The steering system is dangerous. There's vibrating in the steering wheel and accelerator pedal at all speeds, the steering wheel pulls and jerks when braking and hitting bumps, the steering doesn't hold alignment and the power steering works intermittently.
My electric power steering stopped working. Not safe to drive. This was fixed prior on recall. I did not own car then.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The Air Bag Service Warning Message and warning light is illuminated I took the car back to the dealership had it serviced and a month later the message and light are on again. The passenger Air Bag sensor is malfunctioning sometimes it doesn't detect the passenger most times it detects a passenger when there isn't one. The tail and brake lights work intermittently. The steering system is dangerous. There's vibrating in the steering wheel and accelerator pedal at all speeds, the steering wheel pulls and jerks when braking and hitting bumps, the steering doesn't hold alignment and the power steering works intermittently.
The power train has failed the car won't start the fuses and relays are burning up and the transmission shifts so hard at a jolt almost. The service ecs ecm and service airbag indicator staying lit and the back passenger airbag looks like it's about to deploy it's a safety hazard I love my car I've only had it a year and I don't know what is happening or why.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2008 Saturn Aura had the transmission shift cable safety recall completed. The same rollaway condition has returned. GM and the dealer refused reinspection and repair, stating the vehicle ‘has lived its life.’ This recall addresses a known rollaway safety risk, and the condition still exists.
The brake light comes on by itself for no apparent reason it will turn on like you Are braking this could cause and accident it also will slip out of park for no rhyme or reason also which is scary I park on a.hill and luckily I had my wheels turned towards the curb so it didn't move when it happens multiple times
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The brake lights occasionally illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability Control) and was taken to the dealer and dielectric lubricant was added to the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector. The contact was unsure if attaching the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer and relearning the brake pedal home position was performed. The contact stated that the failure started 9 years after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle lost cruise control functionality with the "Service Traction" message displayed. Additionally, the brake lights turned on unintendedly. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated; however, the brake lights would turn off while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The brake lights occasionally illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability Control) and was taken to the dealer and dielectric lubricant was added to the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector. The contact was unsure if attaching the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer and relearning the brake pedal home position was performed. The contact stated that the failure started 9 years after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Brake lights and headlights randomly go off mainly the brake light thats in the back window!
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Water is leaking into the passenger compartment to the point of pooling, I am constantly having to shop vac water out but, I feel this could lead to the floor pan rusting out and the seats falling through the floor. This is a GM TSB issue so, GM knows about the problem. There are many other Saturn Aura owners who have experienced this issue.
I BOUGHT MY 2008 SATURN AURA XR USED OFF A CAR LOT LAST YEAR AROUND MARCH I STARTED HAVING STARTING ISSUES IN MAY SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE CAR . I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER BATTERY & OTHER COSTLY THINGS BUT STILL HAVE THE NO START NO CRANK ISSUE WITH MY CAR IT'S STILL DRIVEABLE BUT WHEN THE CAR HEATS UP MY CAR WONT START UNTIL AFTER THE CAR COOLS FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR MY CAR IS NOT SHOWING SIGNS OF OVERHEATING THIS PROBLEM IS VERY STRESSFUL & DANGEROUS I'M TIRED OF BEING STUCK WHEN I GO PLACES ALSO SOMETIMES MY CAR DOESN'T GO PAST 20 MPH & I HAVE TO PULL OVER SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND WAIT 15 MINUTES & MY DRIVER SEAT STOPPED WORKING
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The Air Bag Service Warning Message and warning light is illuminated I took the car back to the dealership had it serviced and a month later the message and light are on again. The passenger Air Bag sensor is malfunctioning sometimes it doesn't detect the passenger most times it detects a passenger when there isn't one. The tail and brake lights work intermittently. The steering system is dangerous. There's vibrating in the steering wheel and accelerator pedal at all speeds, the steering wheel pulls and jerks when braking and hitting bumps, the steering doesn't hold alignment and the power steering works intermittently.
The power train has failed the car won't start the fuses and relays are burning up and the transmission shifts so hard at a jolt almost. The service ecs ecm and service airbag indicator staying lit and the back passenger airbag looks like it's about to deploy it's a safety hazard I love my car I've only had it a year and I don't know what is happening or why.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2008 Saturn Aura had the transmission shift cable safety recall completed. The same rollaway condition has returned. GM and the dealer refused reinspection and repair, stating the vehicle ‘has lived its life.’ This recall addresses a known rollaway safety risk, and the condition still exists.
I noticed a rattling while driving also smoking under the hood so I took it to a garage and he said that's no problem and that I have a severe oil leak under the front of car he showed me and oil is EVERYWHERE HE MENTIONED HE COULDNT FIX IT THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LINE AND POWERSTEERING AXLE OR PUMP. I HAVE TO ALSO PUT ANTI FREEZE IN THE CAR EVERY 2 DAYS. ALONG WITH POWERSTEERING FLUID AND MOTOR OIL. HE MENTIONED HE HAS NO IDEA WHERE THE OIL IS COMING FROM BECAUSE ITS SO MUCH ITS ALL OVER UNDER THE FRONT AND RECCOMMEND ME NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT MAY CATCH FIRE. THIS IS MY only resource of a ride. Also I noticed when I go over a bump in the road the dash lights go brighter or darker.The traction control light is also on which just came on along with a s light.i took it to the car wash and did notice it looks like a car possibly swiped the right side because there's paint missing!
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Water is leaking into the passenger compartment to the point of pooling, I am constantly having to shop vac water out but, I feel this could lead to the floor pan rusting out and the seats falling through the floor. This is a GM TSB issue so, GM knows about the problem. There are many other Saturn Aura owners who have experienced this issue.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCHES ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPARED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. . *BF*JB
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
The list goes on. Shifting issues started and we've been trying to figure it out among other issues.. Transmission shift cable. Power train transmission. Car randomly won't accelerate while driving. Dials not moving periodically. Coolant holds normally then randomly is emptied like their is a leak. Fill it up & it sucks it on like it won't hold it. Thirsty. Coolant leak but no service light. Car overheated for awhile but now doesn't. Wouod just shoot up to red zone. Got a call last night that it wasn't shifting right & sounded bad. Wks before randomly hard shifted. Our kid was stranded in the cold. Got to him & the car wouldn't shift from neutral. It rolled backwards on him & he threw on the parking brake thankfully!! Scary ordeal & thankful he is ok. When shifting gears, the shifter moved but sounds like it's not connected to anything & the gears don't shift. It stays in neutral. Car won't start. He also randomly has battery issues when his alternator & battery are good. Car just won't start randomly. It is available for inspection once we get it home.. I was led here thinking, it has to have recalls & we weren't notified then I saw recalls for this make & model, just not ours. No warning lights this time. Service engine has came on before them go off intermittently. We've had it connected at auto zone & fixed a few codes it through then service light went off. It's reduced engine power while driving & doesn't accelerate. Drives slow. Reduced power. All these previous issues now the shifting cable. :(
Shift cable broke off while driving. Vehicle has been diagnosed by mechanic for broken transmission shift cable by personal mechanic. There are no warning lamps or messages on dash . There is a current recall for this problem. My Vin number is not coming up for recall.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I noticed a rattling while driving also smoking under the hood so I took it to a garage and he said that's no problem and that I have a severe oil leak under the front of car he showed me and oil is EVERYWHERE HE MENTIONED HE COULDNT FIX IT THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LINE AND POWERSTEERING AXLE OR PUMP. I HAVE TO ALSO PUT ANTI FREEZE IN THE CAR EVERY 2 DAYS. ALONG WITH POWERSTEERING FLUID AND MOTOR OIL. HE MENTIONED HE HAS NO IDEA WHERE THE OIL IS COMING FROM BECAUSE ITS SO MUCH ITS ALL OVER UNDER THE FRONT AND RECCOMMEND ME NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT MAY CATCH FIRE. THIS IS MY only resource of a ride. Also I noticed when I go over a bump in the road the dash lights go brighter or darker.The traction control light is also on which just came on along with a s light.i took it to the car wash and did notice it looks like a car possibly swiped the right side because there's paint missing!
TRACTION AND ESC SERVICE WARNINGS COME ON RANDOMLY. CAR REDUCES ENGINE POWER RANDOMLY. CAR JERKS RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. COOLANT LEAKS BUT COOLANT WARNING DOES NOT ACTIVATE, CAR OVERHEATS.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Nobody has inspected my vehicle. However my rear passenger airbag on the driver's side has malfunctioned and blown out the rear interior panel and the service airbag light is on this just happened 4 days ago and there was no accident to cause it.. my transmission is not functioning properly as of yesterday it has a jolt like jerk when shifting into another gear and doesn't want to go all the way into park. And my speed odometer bottoms to 0 and all electrical equipment fails temporarily while driving I have video proof of this happening. My safety as well as other motorists are at risk if this keeps happening... ATTENTION THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS !!! YET.....
Unknown
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought this 2008 Saturn Aura from dealer on 09/13/2023. Since I bought it, I fractured my hand and foot while checking the tires and brakes. 10/27/23 - I put the car in park to investigate what was causing the constant rattling noise while at the same time the car would shudder. While I was on one knee with one hand on ground so l could bend and look into the wheel well, the car rolled the tire over my hand and foot that was in its path because I wasn't able to move quick enough and didn't expect that to happen. 11/16/23 - I found out what the rattling noise and shudder was caused by when I completely lost all steering control and hit a tree which damaged the vehicle and caused injury, not only to myself but also to my 5 year old nephew who was in the car with me. I was told by a mechanic that a damaged joint bearing caused separation of the u-joint resulting in loss of steering control. What the hell is wrong with this car. I paid $1500 for the vehicle, then to top it off add injury costs I paid; the repairs and/or replacement of the u-joint and transmission shift cable due to damage. I don't know what to do to remedy the situation. I can't even afford to fix the body damage or replace the wheel rim damage caused by the wreck. Where do I go from here? I can't afford a new vehicle that why I bought this car. What a joke. Please advise. Maybe I can find free council.
FAILURE OF THE WAVE PLATE. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 82,000 MILES AND THE WAVE PLATE IS FAILING. I'M UNABLE TO REVERSE AND THE GEARS SHIFT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN GM CARS AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY, A SINGLE SPECIAL BULLETIN WAS SENT OUT AND MY VEHICLE MET THE CRITERIA FOR MILEAGE BUT WAS 5 MONTHS PASS THE 10 YEAR MARK. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND A FIX SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED OR A REIMBURSEMENT PROVIDED TO OTHERS DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN DESIGN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DO HARD SHIFTS WHILE DRIVING. MY SON, 16 YEARS OLD, WAS DRIVING AND DUE TO HIS INEXPERIENCE HE COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR NEW KUMHO TIRES; THE NEXT DAY WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A FULL STOP AT A YIELD SIGN, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY DECOMPRESSED. THE WHEEL COVER BROKE AND TRAVELED ACROSS THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE TIRE BEAD APPARENTLY UNSEALED. THE CAR STOPPED SAFELY AND THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE OTHER TAN THE TIRE AND WHEEL COVER. *TR
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL/ESC LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE LIGHT STAY ON CONSTANTLY GO OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS TAPPED!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WINDOW WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW WIPER HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY WITH MY 2008 SATURN AURA SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE INTERIOR WINDSHIELD PANEL. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME NUMEROUS WRECKS. IN ADDITION I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REMOVE ALL 4 HEAD RESTS IN ORDER TO SEE. AFTER 30 YEARS OF DRIVING WITH NO ACCIDENTS OR CITATIONS, DUE TO THE SAME VISIBILITY PROBLEM, I WAS T-BONED CROSSING A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND MY SATURN HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
MY HUSBAND WAS ALONE DRIVING, WAS EARLY A.M. WHEN A COYOTE RAN OUT ON COUNTRY ROAD. HE HAS HAD THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE HAVING LIVED IN THE AREA OVER 60+ YRS. HE WAS IN 2 LANE ROAD, HE WENT TO BRAKE AND SWERVED WHEN HE SAID THE CAR BECAME UNABLE TO CONTROL, HE HIT THE BURN ON SIDE OF ROAD FLIPPING CAR NUMEROUS TIMES ENDING UPSIDE DOWN. HE WAS STUCK IN SEAT BELT UNABLE TO GET LOOSE FOR 15 MIN FINALLY GETTING OUT OF IT. HE WAS SEEN BY DRS @ HOSPITAL AND RELEASED WITH BRUISED RIBS, CUTS AND ABRASIONS. WHEN I TALKED TO HIM ON PHONE LATER HE RELATES WHAT HAD HAPPENED ALSO SAYING "IT SEEMED LIKE THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN, IT WOULDN' T STEER OR BRAKE RIGHT." I TOLD HIM TO REST AND I WOULD TALK TO HIM LATER. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I EVER TALKED TO HIM, AS HE DIED OF THE BLUNT FORCE TRAMA FROM THAT ACCIDENT, THAT WAS OCT 7, 2014. I BELIEVE HIS VEHICLE IS TO BLAME FOR THIS ACCIDENT, AS I KNOW WHAT KIND OF DRIVER HE IS, OFF ROAD , AROUND OUR RURAL AREA ANIMALS ARE ALWAYS JUMPING OUT ON THE ROAD, AND HE NEVER HAS HAD A ACCIDENT. HE DOESN'T PANIC, HE KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE OFF ROAD, AND HAVE RACED IN SCORE OFF ROAD FUNCTIONS IN HE YOUNGER DAYS. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT DRIVER, DRIVING OTHERS, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T DRINK, AND WAS VERY SAFE IN DRIVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .