10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 81,033 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.
Weld broke on drivers seat - looked on Saturn firm - this has been occurring since 2010 on Saturn vehicles - why was it not recalled? this is dangerous'I was driving the vehicle when it occurred.
- Wallingford, CT, USA
On October 17, 2017 I picked up my vehicle at the body shop after having the driver's seat replaced because the welds broke. Today, April 27, 2018 I returned to the body shop for the same issue. The welds are broken on the right side of the seat. I have attached a photo of the right front weld. I searched your database for this issue and did not find it.
- Millville, DE, USA
Started car and began adjusting seat. Car was still in park. Heard a loud "pop" and then the driver's seat tilted up and I was left in an awkward position. Tried to move seat again, seat jerked and wouldn't not adjust to proper position. Took car to dealer and they said the weld on the frame broke. Driver's seat now slides around when you're sitting in it, including during driving. Found out I was only one of dozens with similar issue.
- Owens Cross Roads, AL, USA
I purchased a used 2008 Saturn Aura, for my son. The driver's seat would rub against the center console when it would be moved back/forth. I had a GM dealer look at it, and they showed me that the frame of the driver's seat is cracked. They had seen this before on the Aura, as well as other similar cars in the GM family (Pontiac G6, for example). The concern I had is if the cr is in an accident, the impact could break the seat from the frame, thus being dangerous for the driver, and possibly the passengers. I have seen in various online forums, complaints for the same issue. In some cases, GM has replaced the seat--even if the car is out of warranty. In some cases, GM did nothing. I spoke with GM, and the best they have offered me is a voucher for a few thousand dollars towards a new car, or 10% the installation cost of new seat. Yesterday (03/10/15), my son called me to tell me that the seat frame broke all the way through, and the seat is now very unstable--and he is no longer able to drive the car. Frankly, I will not let him drive the car now that this has happened, as it is very unsafe. Replacing the seat costs apprx. $800--I only spent $5,000 on the car when I bought it. With all of the issues GM has faced this past year with recalls, I think it is worth looking into this issue--especially since so many other people have reported the same problem. I do not have the VIN available right now, as I am out of town for work. I can get you the info on Friday of this week (03/13/15), if you need it for reference. Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Medina, OH, USA
2008 Saturn Aura. Consumer writes in regards to broken weld on front seat frame. The consumer stated the driver's seat leaned to the right side. One day, while adjusting the power seat, the seat lifted high on one side as opposed to the other. He looked under the seat and noticed a black metal bar had been welded to the metal frame of the seat had actually separated from the frame itself causing the seat not to function as designed.
- Delran, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, he heard a unusual sound that came from the driver seat and a squeaky sound that came from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer mechanic and diagnosed the fractured of driver seat well mount and failure of the steering column. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
- Hudson, NH, USA
Driver seat became un welded a big piece of metal now sticks out on the seat it affect the getting in and out as well as normal driving.
- Reno, NV, USA
Noticed as I got in my car, the driver's side seat tilted. My dealer told me that the frame snapped and would cost approx. $1,200 to fix. This is a potential safety issue and the frame should be recalled.
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
Opening the door and sitting in the drivers seat, the seat shifted to the right. As I got out of the seat, it rocked to the left. The welds on the right front side of the frame on the base of the driver's seat is broken.
- Fairhope, AL, USA
The contact owns 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 mph, the front driver's seat support bracket fractured which caused the seat to move forward. The vehicle was driven cautiously to the residence. In addition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000.
- Hooks, TX, USA
I was turning the corner when the seat shifted to the left and then the seat broke. When I looked under the back of the seat it looks as if the seat broke apart from the bolt that was holding it in place.
- Calumet City, IL, USA
At first, my 08 Saturn Aura's drivers seat stopped working, and I could no longer move it. I assumed the fuse was out, so I replaced it. Within one day, my seat stopped working again. I went to someone and they suggested I try a fuse with a higher voltage. They placed the fuse for me and my seat worked for a moment and then blew the fuse. I couldn't afford to take my car to the dealer and have them run a diagnostic, so I decided to deal with my seat not being able to move. A couple months after the first incident, the backseat door behind the drivers side would not unlock or lock every time by pressing the unlock button. Then, the driver's door stopped locking and unlocking. So every time I get out of my car and hit the button to lock my doors, I have to push the actual lock down on the driver's door, and then I have to open the back door and push that lock down. The most recent incident is the driver's side headlight and blinker. When my blinker and headlight first went out I did not think much of it, so I replaced the bulbs. A day or two later, the blinker and headlight were out again. I replaced the bulbs a second time, because I thought it may have just been a bad product I bought. The blinker and headlight worked again and then stopped a day later. Some mornings I get lucky and my doors will unlock or lock and sometimes my blinker and headlight will work, but by the time I get to where I am going they will stop working again. This is all very frustrating because something is always going wrong on this car. I am terrified one day something else on the driver's side like the steering wheel or the brakes will go out and could cost me my life.
- Clinton, MS, USA
Drivers seat broke down on right side, causing it to slump towards the console. Upon taking it to the dealer to seek repair, was told that the welding of the seat unit had broken. The entire seat and the housing base require replacement over $1000 to fix. While it doesn't require fixing to operate car, the danger is in a crash, having the seat catapult out entirely being as it is not affixed to the vehicle any more. You can wiggle it up and down freely, this could also allow the seat to throw someone into the air bags as they deploy, causing injuries because it is not fastened down. After researching online, this vehicle make and model is prone to this problem for the few short years it was made. We feel that GM needs to update this seat problem, and while not sure, they use chev Malibu replacement parts for it, so that model may also be experiencing the problem for more data. A seat should be intact, attached safely to the vehicle we would think. Never heard of seats being free of the body of the car while driving.
- Palmdale, CA, USA
The back right weld on the driver's seat frame broke, causing the seat to tilt toward the center of the car. In addition to being uncomfortable, I cannot believe having a seat that is not fully attached to the frame would be safe were I to be involved in an accident. I have seen numerous complaints on several sites regarding the same issue of the faulty welds on the driver's seat. I'm surprised to find there hasn't been a recall yet. Also having issues with the airbag sensors, for which I am also seeing many similar complaints.
- Woodbridge, VA, USA
The driver's seat rocks to the right and to the left. It also will not raise or lower evenly. Upon a personal inspection, I found a broken frame piece on the right side under the seat.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Drivers seat frame broken. Seat would not move and was sliding while being driven. Seat was replaced by dealer under extended warranty. Drivers seat frame broke again November, 2011. Part of the seat would not move. Inspection showed the frame which anchors it to the floor was broken again. This car is a 1 owner, never in an accident.
- Bordentown, NJ, USA
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.
- Dumas, TX, USA
- St Petersburg, FL, USA