10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 71,012 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.
Camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction, or false code. Power steering stops working in transit. Car has to be shut off and restarted to regain use.
- Willoughby, OH, USA
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
- St Petersburg, FL, USA
Ets or etc comes on randomly when it's wet and rainy traction control comes on constantly brakes are sticking trouble shifting gears power steering locked up has to have the power steering pump changed I recently bought this 08 Aura and approximately 1month of having it the front passenger wheel broke off including control arm throwing myself in the car into the other lane of traffic almost causing an accident very terrifying also when the power steering pump went out and it broke the serpentine belt had to have that changed along with power steering pump oil leak low tire pressure checked light constantly on traction control light comes on and off constantly ectecs light comes on constantly bakhtar spend constantly when trying to go uphill like there is no traction when parking brake is applied all wheel steel spin as if the brake is not applied brake rotors and brake pads where wear out very often back brake caliber problems transmission seeming to slip years rpms are fluctuating core having problems exhilarating in the previous boxes to check axing what was wrong with the vehicle I was only allowed to pick three I have more than three to complain about suspension steering wheels ABS system ABS light comes on and off constantly every day fuel system and lighting lights come on by there self brake lights do not work or work when they want to fuel system is burning a lot of gas for no reason no acceleration from stop rpms fluctuating dashboard lights cut on and off cruise will not disengage tire sensor light comes on constantly every day all day
- Bunkie, LA, USA
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.
- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA
I suffered a power steering failure, it was listed in a recall as a problem for Saturn Aura 2008 but my VIN number doesn't result in their recall. I had the same issue, I call them and said that my car wasn't listed in the recall. I almost crash 3 times and they don't want to fix the problem. It happened while I was try to turn in a busy street and end up on a lawn. They are saying that I have to pay everything out of pocket and that it's not their fault. But it's the exact same issue that they described in the same model and year of the car. I was lucky this time but I feared for my life
- Setauket- East Setauket, NY, USA
I have a recall complaint... recall#: 14E044000 --steering; the wheel is stiff and hard to turn recall#: 14V153000 --steering: Electric power assist system; hard to turn wheel, leaking ps fluid, no longer has whining noise. Vehicle was in motion and turning I had previously replaced my battery, because I constantly had to use a battery booster to start it after every time I shut the car off, and the former one became faulty and it tested as a bad battery. Within 2 days of replacing the battery, the ps fluid rapidly started leaking after starting the car ignition and the steering wheel is stiff and very hard to turn now. I've put more ps fluid in my car, but it doesn't help the stiff steering at all almost as if I never even put any ps fluid in it to begin with. I'm also having an electrical issue to where when I go to put on my brakes sometimes, it'll dim my lights at the same time while driving down the road.
- Peace Valley, MO, USA
Transmission jumps from 1st to 2nd gear and will not accelerate.
- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
The steering has gotten very hard to steer at slow speeds. It takes effort to turn it and once turning, it will not return straight but you have to forcefully turn the steering wheel back to go straight instead of it wanting to go straight. It is not the power steering which is working fine.a machanic told me that this is an issue for many GM cars and to check. Sure enough there are many models of my car that have this issue and have been recalled. I have luckily avoided any accidents so far but the problem seems to be getting worse.
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. In addition, the service brakes and electronic stability control indicators illuminated, and the brake lights remained illuminated without depressing the brake pedal. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (sutliff GMC in state college, pa) were notified, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) in 2014, but the failures recurred. The failure mileage was 190,000.
- Philipsburg, PA, USA
I purchased this car on 11/05/2017 and have experienced more problems everyday with the electrical systems in the car. My power locks rarely work on all of my doors. I manually unlock my driver's door and if I try to unlock the other doors with my power lock controls, some or none of the other locks will unlock or lock. This problem happens with the car being stationary, in motion, and on all varieties of driving. My seatbelt light on my dashboard flashes even when my seatbelt is on. This problem happens with the car being stationary, in motion, and on all varieties of driving. The tire monitor and tire pressure light are on at all times, even after having my tires checked by a specialist. This problem happens with the car being stationary, in motion, and on all varieties of driving. The passenger airbag goes on and off when a passenger is seated and wearing a seatbelt. This problem has only been noticed while driving for more than 5 minutes. The overall lights on my dashboard will dim, go completely out, and turn back on after driving for a few minutes. This problem happens with the car in motion and on all varieties of driving. The trunk, that doesn't have exterior key access, sometimes doesn't open and has to be accessed from the interior via the backseats. This problem has only been attempted while stationary.
- Honolulu, HI, USA
My Saturn Aura traction control and ESC lights came on. The brake light would be on even when I am not braking. This happens when normal driving is taking place.
- Rocky River, OH, USA
The first sign of problems was while driving the automatic locks started locking and unlocking themselves. This would happen off and on with it locking and unlocking very quickly and repeatedly, ceasing and then starting it again forapproximately 2 or 3 days. Then it would stop all together for 3 or 4 days maybe a week and then repeat the same pattern. I also noticed a couple of times while my car was parked in my driveway the brake lights would be on. I'm not sure if they went off when I parked my car and got out for the day or if they just suddenly came on while my car was parked. I only noticed this around 3 or 4 times. The main event which brings me here is I was driving doing around 30 miles per hour on a side road when suddenly I could not control my steering easily. Around the same time or seconds after my dash lights started going crazy and all of them flickering off and on. I immediately started to brake my vehicle to come to a stop because it scared me. I was seconds from my destination and my husband was with me and we decided very slowly make it to the bank parking lot. As I turned my car started acting as if it was just failing to run. My husband says this was the transmission. As I turned and started to brake to a stop my brakes did not work as they normally did. Once stopped my car died and would not turn over. We thought the battery died. We then got a jump and the car died again this time not starting back at all.
- Louisville, KY, USA
While driving on the overpass/highway, car jumps/skips to the side (opposite of turning direction). Steering shaft has been replaced and didn't solve this issue. We have had front end basically re-done also. Losing power steering fluid; power steering whines and is very stiff. I am convinced that this vehicle should be on the recall list!!! very disappointed in the amount of money we have had to sink into this car. We've been dealing with a continuum of repeated problems for 3 plus years!
- Grand Blanc, MI, USA
The cruise control in my 2008 Saturn Aura is not functioning. Service ESC and traction control lights flash on the dashboard intermittently. Brakes lights are on constantly, even when the brake is not applied. I took my car to a Saturn-approved Chevy dealer for service and referenced the NHTSA recall #14V252000 from 2014. The mechanics checked the scan data and found the brake pedal learned position data was erractic in the body control module and won't hold the settings. They checked the circuits and connections (and supposedly reperformed the 2014 recall repair) but concluded that the fault is in the BCM. They suggested replacing the BCM, at a cost of $600. I explained to the mechanic that I believe the failing BCM is due to the voltage fluctuations that prompted the recall, left the dealership, and called GM. A senior advisor at GM explained that they will not do anything about the apparent safety defect because the recall did not require replacement of the BCM.
- Worthington, OH, USA
SATURN AURA 2008 TAIL LAMP MALFUNCTION. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO TUSTIN GM FOR BRAKE REPAIR AND BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, I WASN'T TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL. 2 WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED MY TRACTION CONTROL, ESC AND PANIC BRAKE ASSISTANCE WERE NOT WORKING ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND A FEW OTHER FEATURES. IT OCCURRED RANDOMLY AFTER AT LEAST AN HOUR OF DRIVING. I NOTICED AFTER A FEW TIMES THIS OCCURRED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE I WAS IN PARK WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. I TESTED IT, AND THEY INDEED TURNED OFF WHEN I ENGAGED MY BRAKES, ONLY TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN WHEN I DISENGAGED MY BRAKES. I WAS VERY NERVOUS DRIVING IT HOME AND HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS ON THE CITY STREET STOPPING AT STOP LIGHTS. I BROUGHT THIS BACK TO TUSTIN GM'S ATTENTION AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S BEEN CORRECTED AND IT'S NOW MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE CHARGES OF FIXING IT. I REFUSED AND BROUGHT IT TO ORANGE COAST BUICK GMC AND CADILLAC. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL, WOULDN'T EVEN CHECK. I MADE A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID MY ONLY OPTION IS TO DRIVE THE UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM OCCURS AND THEN BRING IT INTO A DEALER SO THEY CAN FIND OUT THE ISSUE. THEY CLAIM MY PROBLEM DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH THE RECALL IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM, AND HAVE DONE EVERYTHING SHORT OF CALLING ME A LIAR. I NOW HAVE A RENTAL VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM DEPENDED ON BY MY ELDERS TO BRING THEM TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS. I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED, PROPERLY, AND HOPEFULLY SOME TYPE OF COST ASSISTANCE WITH THE RENTAL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO CAN'T SEEM TO TELL ME THE EXACT DATE THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED. FIRST THEY SAID JANUARY, THEN THEY SAID AUGUST. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Coon Rapids, MN, USA
Case # with GMC is 81598832107 9/30/15 was at left turn lane to go in my neighbor hood put in park to grab something of the floor when I put back into drive my car started to reverse. Put it back into park and then drive and the same thing. Lucky I had my neighbor behind me him and others help me push it to a safe zone very close to my house, pushed it half way on drive way and put in park and it rolled across the street while trying to stop it I put myleft foot down caused more pain due to me recent surgery. This car has been to GMC for the recall cable 3 times, this time they said they only place half of it and will now replace the whole cable. Was called on 9/30 5 hours at the shop and was told it was ready, I explained that I don't feel safe driving this car. Too many times for the same cable....I've also had a issue with the smell of gas coming from the car but could not see any fuel, so I took to a mechanic and had them look at it and said te top of the fuel pump was cracked I had them replace the whole pump...there was fuel leaking under my seat, I have now seen there is other Saturn Aura with the same problem. I don't feel safe driving this car this a big issue and if GMC and I can come to an agreement it will be easy agreement. I was really glad that I did no give this car to my young nephew who knows what would of happened......
- Sparks, NV, USA
We have not been able to get our recalls repaired. We have only been able to get the brake sensor repaired. We are still having issues with the ESC sensors, speed control and power locks freaking out whenever they want. Every time we call the dealership we are being told that the parts are not available. This issue is getting worse and need to be corrected asap.
- Roseville, MI, USA
My vehicle began with service traction illumination a couple of years ago. Took it into the GM elk grove dealership and they informed me that I had a bad catalic converter and fuel injection cleaning needed. Items were replaced and service completed. Within a couple/few years, my service traction light came back on with the check engine light and car began to stall, same issues as before. Took it back to GM elk grove dealership and they stated my catalic coverter needed to be replaced, my fuel tank, my air mass flow sensor replaced along with intake shaft sensor and another sensor. I fixed all items. Today not even 6 months later, my service traction light is back on, check engine light, and engine power reduced while driving on freeway. Speed reduced as low as 45miles per hour and when you come to a complete stop, car shakes.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
I was driving in rush hour traffic on the interstate at approximately 25 mph. All of a sudden the power decreased on my vehicle and the engine light came on. In addition, the following messages kept appearing on the dash message screen: Service ESC.....service traction.....engine power reduced. When I was able to safely pull over, I turned off the engine and got out the owner's manual. However, I did not see anything about ESC in the index nor did I find a troubleshooting guide. I started the car back up and the messages were gone but the engine light was still on. I drove it home and kept a watch on all of the gauges/lights and it seemed okay although it felt like it was driving differently (less power), but it could have been my imagination. I am concerned because if I had been going faster someone could have ran into me from behind. Although this car is 7 years old, it was my elderly uncle's and only had 15,000 miles on it when he passed away. I have only put 3,000 miles on it so the car only has 18,000 miles on it. I already planned to take it into the dealership because the sunroof was leaking and it was repaired a few months ago; however, it is leaking again.
- Hurst, TX, USA
- Green Bay, WI, USA