10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 107,543 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
This is the second time in the last year I lost use of my steering wheel. The first time, I was backing up and lost all control of my steering. I did not report it because there was not a warning light. Today, Sept. 3,2015 I was driving through the parking lot of the school (May 2 to 5 mph) when I lost all control of the steering. I wasn't able to turn the wheel either way, it was completely locked up. I stopped the car and turned off the ignition. After a copy of minutes, I restarted the car and it was fine. It was very scary knowing I could not control the car. I noticed older vehicles had the same issue and they had a recall. I believe the 2009 Aura should be investigated for the same recall.
- Aurora, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 45 mph, the electronic stability control and traction control warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle hesitated. The dealer diagnosed that the communications module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
The security system randomly decides the car is being stolen and locks down the engine entirely until you unplug the battery. Happens about every other week and the dealership says they don't know why it would do that so they can't do anything about it. The auto start no longer works now as a result.
- Portland, OR, USA
As I pulled out of a parking lot to go left, my power steering went off. "ESC" came up in the message window, then "power steering" showed up. I could hardly turn the wheel. I pulled into a driveway, then drove home (which was only a block away). The car was difficult to turn the whole time. I parked in my garage, then wanted to check the car a few minutes later. I pulled out again then was able to steer with no problem. The notifications were gone. I rented a car for safety. When I called a dealer to ask about the recall I saw online for GM and Saturn, the receptionist told me it didn't affect my vehicle, per the VIN. I find it hard to believe that, coincidentally, the recalled issue is happening to my vehicle but I can't have it repaired per the GM recall.
- Dublin, OH, USA
I was driving along the road and then the steering started to get real tight and then I received the message on the dash that there was a problem with the power steering and the ESC needed service. I took the car to a GM dealership and was told that it would cost $1700 to fix the problem. I have looked at all of the other recalls and see that there was a recall for the same problem and tried to see if Saturn/GM would fix the issue under the recalls and was notified that since I was out of warranty they could not do anything but contact the dealer that I talked to and see if they could help me with the cost of the repairs. It has now been about a week after I was told I should hear something back and still have not heard anything. I am still driving around without any power steering due to not being able to pay the repair cost. If there is this aprox. 65 people that have reported this problem on this site then there is most likely more that are having the same issue that have not reported and Saturn/GM should do something about fixing the problem.
- Dover, DE, USA
2009 Saturn Aura GM needs to update the recalls on the 09 Aura. In the past 4 mos I have luckily survived 8 crashes, now, from total loss of power steering. No one @ GM/Saturn will help. They say my VIN# is not in the recall, but it is the exact same thing happening as is in the recall..complete loss of power steering. Triangle illuminates on dash & says ESC service power steering...dealer could not diagnose problem, couldn't get a code. I subscribed to on star so when it happened I would be able to get a diagnostic code, & luckily their computer diagnosed the issue, & got the codes which are the exact problems in the recalls code C0545 power steering, & C0561 traction control module not functioning. They now tell me I need a complete steering column, which dorman products says my VIN# is not in recall on steering shaft! General Motors/Saturn please update your recalls< there are 1000's with the same issues in the 09 Auras, before one of us here becomes a statistic! I assume Saturn is doing nothing because they have filed bankruptcy & gone out of business. I can not drive this car & be safe!!! someone please help!! I think we need an attorney!
- Atlanta, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the ESC warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the power steering failed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle became extremely difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the internal power steering malfunctioned; however, no repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000. Updated 03/04/15 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired by the manufacturer at no cost to consumer. Updated 6/15/2015
- Kennesaw, GA, USA
I was driving apx 40mph & my car had a slight vibration, or missing-feel, & suddenly the power steering locked up & steering wheel would not turn! I could not even budge it, but luckily there were no cars around me & I managed to get to side of road. I turned my car off & got out & looked under hood. I saw nothing that looked unusual, but I am a woman & not mechanically minded. So I got back in my car & was going to call for help. I decided to start it to see what would happen & it started & everything was fine.it went back to normal! when all this happened it had flashed a msg across dash saying "ESC power steering, service immediately". then, today I was turning onto a street & it did the exact same thing. Luckily again I did not hit the car on the street. I turned off & started again & it was ok again. I am now afraid to drive it anywhere! I have several electrical issues with this car, lights, locks, windows, things shorting out & a floating no control type feeling when driving at higher speeds, sort of like the wind is blowing me off the road. I found several recalls & contacted GM. They told me there were no recalls, then a few months later I get a recall notice on a part/recall I had called them about, so I do not trust what they say.please advise, as I am afraid to drive this car. I do not want to go to the dealership near me which is orr/texarkana, tx 75503 because none of these problems happened until after they did the so-call recall repair on my car! someone please help me. I need my car but do not want to crash! thank you
- Atlanta, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While making a left turn at approximately 10 mph, the ESC indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. Following the failure, the traction control indicator illuminated and the ESC indicator dimmed. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it regained power steering and the warning indicators did not illuminate. The failure occurred four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
- Edgewood, WA, USA
While driving to orlando with my kids at 9:03 pm last night, I nearly got rear ended on I4 East. I was a lil puzzled to why someone would flying toward my car as if I was a target, until the driver of that vehicle pulled up aside of me, screaming out "turn on your lights." I immediately looked at my headlights and yelled my lights are on. Still a little confused, I pulled the car over, only to notice that my taillights weren't on. This morning the lights were on, now tonight they don't work I replaced the bulbs and, they don't work either. My car has had quite a few electrical problems, and a traction recall that had been repaired in 2010. I found out today that my car has been recalled for the same exact problem. I had to drive home tonight with my hazard lights on. What can I do" and how am I going to get around at night"
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The first incident was I were driving down the road and the reduce engine message came on. So later I drove and I got on a bridge and it shut completely down. So I waited for a while then it started back up. So the next day it started back, so I took it to a Chevrolet dealer and got a part put on. But the next day it was doing the same thing, so I took it back and they put a new part cause they thought the first one had a defect.so now its reading service ESC and power steering and wont say anything.and the brake light comes on while I'm driving down the road and the BCM goes up.
- Greensboro, AL, USA
While at highway speeds (55-75) power train surges, and cruise control will not engage. Also ESC service indicator warning light turns on. Contacted dealer and gave them this information. Had my car serviced on 7/14/2014 with new spark plugs, fuel line cleaning and new brakes (front and back) and the ESC indicator illuminating intermittently. Still have issues. They say that my VIN indicates that I do not have a recall for my vehicle. But, my car is showing all the tell-tale signs for what is described in GM recall #13036 from 5/14/2014.
- Henrico, VA, USA
This is a recurring incident that began in April 2013. It is always the same: Runs rough like it is going to stall, engine light, service ESC and traction control messages illuminate. Latest incident was June 19, 2014. This vehicle has been to GM dealer at least 5 times for this problem, and expecting to go back to dealer this week. I do not know why and would like to know why I have not received a recall notice from GM about this ongoing problem. Is this double-talk from GM, because I fear that the safety of myself and my passengers are in jeopardy. I would appreciate an answer to this safety issue as soon as possible. Thank you.
- Auburn, MA, USA
I was making a left turn onto a one way. Traffic was clear enough to enter. My car sputtered and the ESC service light came on. Then service traction light. Then check engine light. I stepped off the gas then stepped back on it. The car then died. I was turning into 40 miles per hour traffic. I thought fast because there were 3 vehicles approaching quickly behind me. I hit the hazard lights. The car that was approaching slammed on brakes and blew at me in frustration. We sat in the middle of the street for several minutes. When I finally got the car to start again it jerked really hard when putting it into gear. I could not get the car to go past 25 miles per hour in 40 mph traffic. This all happened while my [xxx] year old son was in the back seat. I am afraid of my car! its been to the dealership twice. Each time its giving them the same error code and they are not sure whats going on with the vehicle. I have contacted GM customer service regarding the issue. I have a claim number and was told I would be contacted the next day. Its now two days later and no one from GM customer service has contacted me. I am now several hundred dollars in the hole because of this. Why is there no recall. I fear that my vehicle will get us in a terrible accident considering I take the highway to work daily. What am I to do? parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
My brakes lights are illuminated, while I'm driving and not pressing the brake pedal. The brake lights go off when I press the brake pedal. The "service ESC / service traction" is more-often-than-not illuminated on the instrument panel. When "service ESC / service traction" is lit, the cruise control will not work.
- Sylvania, OH, USA
I own a 2009 Saturn Aura xr. My brake lights stay engaged while in motion but disengage when I stop. Tapping the brakes will turn the brake light off briefly while in motion but it will come back on within seconds. Rear drivers cannot determine when I'm stopping using the brake light as an indicator. My cruise control no longer works which I'm told is also tied to the brake lights. The ESC warning light comes on frequently and will disengage. The only remedy I've found for this has been turning the car off on. I've sometimes had to do this 5 times within a 20 minute drive. The check engine light in the recent past would go off and on unwarranted but as of late just stays on.
- Country Club Hills, IL, USA
The brake lights are on all the time unless I ride my brake pedal. They wont come back on when I press the brake pedal till I almost lock up the brakes. Lots of electrical gremlins in this pos car.
- Lincoln, NE, USA
Stopped at a drive-thru window. Was in gear and under braking. Two lights came on at dash: Service ESC and service traction. Lights reset when vehicle is shut off and restarted. Lights happen at random times during operation. When service lights occur, brake lights react opposite of normal operation.
- Davenport, IA, USA
- Canton, MI, USA