10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
86,864 miles

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problem #105

Feb 012024

Aura

  • 198,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and ascending a grade in the road, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb on the left side of the vehicle and then crashed into a telephone pole, he was unable to steer due to the loss of power steering functionality. The contact stated that the crash happened very fast and he was not able to depress the brake pedal to avoid the crash. The contact stated that the front driver's side bumper, grill, and lights were crushed. There was also damage to the driver's side front tire wheel well and axle. The contact stated that he called the police who then wrote a report. The contact stated that he was not injured, however the vehicle was undrivable and was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that the vehicle was later declared a total loss by his insurance provider. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #104

Oct 272023

Aura

  • miles
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.

- Weidman, MI, USA

problem #103

Apr 012023

Aura

  • miles
Power steering went out as we were driving, making the wheel almost impossible to turn. There was a recall repair before I purchased the vehicle but I am skeptical it was actually done as I am having the same issue with the power steering that was supposed to have been fixed. This is a continuous problem that puts my life and the lives of others in danger.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #102

Jan 132023

Aura

  • miles
Power steering goes out while driving sometimes, can-??t control car. Bought car from FB marketplace last month and previous owner states that it has happened before numerous times

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #101

Jan 202022

Aura

  • miles
My electronic power steering went out

- Indianapolis , IN, USA

problem #100

Jan 222022

Aura

  • miles
Unknown

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #99

Nov 082021

Aura

  • miles
Check engine, ABS, and traction control indicator lights have come on and gone off intermittently, even though the car has received routine services, as indicated -- though prior to that, for many months, the tire pressure indicator light would come on and go off intermittently. As I drove about 25 to 30 mph, the above mentioned control lights came on as I came to a stop, followed by the power steering indicator light (for the first time). Immediately, there was loss of power steering control. With great difficulty, I drove the car about 3 blocks and attempted to park. It took about 15 minutes to parallel park in a large space, with great difficulty. I turned off the engine and let the car sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then restarted the car, which then seemed to be fine (at least drivable) -- though the check engine and traction control lights remained on. (Still, I was afraid to drive -- thinking the power steering could go out at any time, knowing it could easily result in no control of the car, grave danger, and serious accident. Anyway, with trepidation, I drove the car back home, where it has sat since. I find the host of this car's repairs troublesome and expensive. As for the loss of power steering -- I find this unconscionable.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #98

Jul 012020

Aura

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the rack and pinion and steering rod however, the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #97

Apr 142021

Aura

  • 138,000 miles
Steering wheel shakes while in both idle position, took car to the dealership they rotated the tires which the thought would fix the issue but the steering while started to shake while both in idle position and while driving. I was told the entire electric power steering module would need to be replaced for a cost of $900.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #96

Feb 072021

Aura

  • 220,000 miles
On Sunday February 7 2021, I was driving in the grocery store parking lot at a slow rate of speed making a right turn when my 2008 Saturn Aura lost all power steering almost causing an accident. I had a difficulty getting the vehicle to straighten out to get into a parking space. I shutoff the engine and when I restarted my car and it was fine. On Tuesday February 23, 2021, I was backing out of my driveway and again I lost all steering power. I pulled back into my driveway, shut off the engine, started it and it was fine. As I was driving to work on the freeway, on March 4 2021, the vehicle again loss power steering. I am worried of another complete steering failure in a critical situation. This failure has happened intermittently several more times, and the vehicle is too unpredictable to drive. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The fix GM released under the recall doesn't look to be a long term durable fix and is a safety concern.

- Armada, MI, USA

problem #95

Dec 232020

Aura

  • 152,940 miles
Loss of power steering withought warning, shut the car off and turned back on and it was fine, but this has happened twice now that while driving the car the power steering suddenly went out

- Angels Camp, CA, USA

problem #94

Aug 172020

Aura

  • 58,000 miles
The steering wheel shakes when driving and when idle. The shaking makes it difficult to steer and control the car. This happens are any speed and driving on the roads and highways.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #93

Apr 302020

Aura

  • miles
Replaced all breaks, power steering is out, chugs when driving down highway and blinker, power seats and windows blow fuse all the time. The blinker is a hazard. One owner previous us and only one recall was done

- De Smet, SD, USA

problem #92

Sep 102019

Aura

  • miles
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

problem #91

Feb 212020

Aura

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering became firm and difficult to maneuver in either direction. The ignition was turned off and back on and the vehicle operated as intended. The failure recurred and persisted after the ignition was turned off and back on. Sims Buick GMC located at (3100 elm road ne, Warren on) was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #90

Jan 192019

Aura

  • 155,000 miles
I would not even fill out this form if the things I am about to write down did not happen at such an unexplained and with extreme progression. The car started off with just a wobble and a jerk. Which now has progressed to the traction light popping on and off; the car sways from side to side so dangerously it is now almost not drivable; the passenger side tire has started to flatten and wear and tear very fast, even after getting brand new tires, now all of the tires are starting the same wear and tear; when accelerating it starts to jerk and lock up not going over a certain speed limit even if you floor the pedal until it lurches forward; the break lights were also staying on and then turning off when we pressed the brakes, we got that fixed at the dealership though; the car is completely falling apart; we took the batteries out of the key chains and the car door still lock and unlock by themselves; the steering wheel doesn't seemed to be aligned or straight. Like if if you want to keep the wheel somewhat straight (a straight line is now almost impossible with this car) then you have to angle it kind of the left. Its so dangerous now to drive this car. The whole thing fell apart at once.and all of these problems happen while moving. While the car is in parked and also while its turned completely off. That only with the locks unlocking and locking. And the speeds at which im going when the other problems are happening are no more than 35 miles per hour.;' I know that we take very good care of the car and have all the service reports. Something is not right with my car.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

problem #89

Mar 052019

Aura

  • 198,500 miles
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

problem #88

Nov 152018

Aura

  • miles
Power steering, traction control, power inside car comes on and off

- Wabash, IN, USA

problem #87

Sep 302018

Aura

  • 196,000 miles
On Sunday September 30 2018, I was driving in the church parking lot at a slow rate of speed making a left turn when my Saturn Aura lost all power steering almost causing an accident. I had a difficult time getting the car to straighten out to park. I turned if off and when I started my car and it was fine the rest of the day. On Monday October 1, 2018 I was backing out of my driveway to go to work and again I lost al steering power. I pulled back into my driveway, turned it off, started it and it was fine; however, I work 50 miles from home and did not want the chance it would do that during highway driving. GM which made the Saturn as of Sept 13, 2018 has a recall on a number of their vehicles with this very problem. Is it possible to be included in this recall as this car is made by GMC and it is the same problem? this could be very serious if I had been driving in traffic.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #86

Aug 272018

Aura

  • 153,000 miles
My vehicle has had electrical issues for a few months. The power locks will not work but, randomly driving down the road they will start going up and down and then in park when I'm not in the vehicle the doors will automatically lock but, any other time they do not work. Also 2 days ago on my way to work the power steering instantly went when I pulled into work. I parked the car and shut it off. When I turned it back on it was working again. I'm very scared of this happening while driving.

- Exeter, NH, USA

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