10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 72,156 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.
Brake lights and headlights randomly go off mainly the brake light thats in the back window!
- Hephzibah, GA, USA
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.
- Green Bay, WI, USA
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
- Council Bluffs, IA, USA
Brake lights activate when brake pedal is not being pressed. Lightly pressing on brake pedal deactivates brake lights. Fully pressing brake pedal will correctly activate brake lights. Upon releasing brake pedal brake lights will deactivate for some time before activating on their own. At first this started happening occasionally but has progressed to happening at all times including when stationary in park, and in motion. Due to the brake lights being active when the brakes are not being applied other drivers are not able to determine what I am doing, creating an unsafe situation.
- Melrose, MA, USA
Head light stopped working then when I tried to start car again would turn over try or anything starter was checked battery and alternator checked if it ever cranks can't turn off or it won't crank again for 2 plus hours checked relays seems as if it may be wire shortened out when won't crank
- Swainsboro, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the brake lights were not functioning. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). Heidebreicht Chevrolet (located at 64200 van dyke, Washington, mi 48095, (586) 372-6569) replaced the brake light bulbs, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Macomb, MI, USA
Headlamp, low beams keep going out. It starts with one side then I replace it then the other side goes out. They driver side replaced worked for a month then went out then the passenger side lasted from October 2017 till Jan 5 2018. I keep replacing the low beams. It cost 100$ every time one is replaced. I actually tried replaceing all 4, and still one low beam went out I replaced one then next month another one went out.
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While attempting to enter the rear of the vehicle, the contact was unable to unlock the rear driver and passenger doors. Additionally, while driving various speeds, the brake indicator illuminated independent of the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
- Rochester, NY, USA
When I'm driving the brake lights are on but when I step on the brakes to stop the brake lights go off. I've had people stop me while I'm at a red light to tell me that when I stepped on my brakes my brake lights go off, but they're on while I'm driving. It's very scary. I've taking it to my mechanic but they step on the brakes the lights come on.they come on while the car is sitting still it seems like when I'm driving is when the brake lights don't work right. I drive at night time and if I'm at a red light with no brake lights somebody might run into the back of me. I'm really anxious to know what's going on. Everything else with the car seems fine.
- Englishtown, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the tail lamps remained illuminated until the brake pedal was depressed. The failure occurred without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended until serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) at dunn Chevrolet Buick located in Oregon, Ohio. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000.
- Toledo, OH, USA
This is a repeat problem for a malfunction that was repaired by a dealer under recall # 13036. The brake lights are not working properly. They are on (lit) when the brake pedal is not depressed. When the driver presses on the brake pedal, the brake lights go off (dark). This is an obvious safety issue and continues to occur despite a previous recall repair.
- Brighton, MI, USA
The exterior brake lights come on when not touched and go off when the brake is applied. I call GM and they told me my VIN number was not on a recall, but it seems there was a recall for this problem.
- Freehold, NJ, 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
Low beans not working, replaced light bulbs, relays and fuse are good
- Carteret, NJ, USA
Every 6-8 months I am having to replace both headlights as they are burning out on both sides. I'm not sure if this is a mechanical issue but while driving at night and having the lights burn out repeatedly, I am afraid of an accident occurring. Headlights should not need to be replaced so often. Is there a recall on the parts for the headlights" are there other people with the same issue"
- Binghamton, NY, USA
2008 Saturn Aura. Consumer writes in regards to body control module connection system recall notice issues. The consumer stated she experienced a problem with the traction control warning light illuminating, prior to the recall. The consumer attached the recall notice.
- Tacoma, WA, USA
The brake lights on my car engage and disengage in no relation to the brake pedal being depressed. While driving, the brake lights will illuminate on their own and turn off when the brake pedal is pushed. Sometimes, the brake lights will turn off if the brake pedal is pulled up in the opposite direction. Repairs have been attempted on the following occurrences: July 21, 2011, July 27, 2011, August 21, 2012, March, 29, 2013, September 24, 2014, November 19, 2014. Repairs have included the following: Brake light switch replaced (2 times); dielectric grease applied to BCM connectors (approximately 12 times); cruise control switches replaced; brake pedal home position recalibrated (2 times). The issue still has yet to be resolved, despite it being included in a GM recall from August 2014 number 13036, and having it twice been attempted under said recall. The GM dealership to which this car has been brought for the recall, colonial Buick Pontiac GMC in watertown, MA claims that they have done everything under the terms of the recall and if the problem persists than it must be paid by the customer. This is antithetical to the purpose of the recall, which is to fix the problem, despite the terms of the recall not fully addressing the error. The service people at the dealership claim that what should be fixed next is replacing the brake light switch, despite that having been replaced twice. The GM recall is not fully addressing the problem, and I, as the customer, should not be expected to pay for any costs associated with fixing the malfunctioning brake lights.
- Cambridge, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights would turn off and while the brakes were not engaged, the brake lights would stay illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake control module was faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 33,000.
- Oxford, NJ, USA
- Livingston, TX, USA