Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Saturn Aura problems

Owners filed 608 complaints about the 2007 Saturn Aura with NHTSA between Nov 2006 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is power train (184).

Complaints
608
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train184
  2. Electrical system105
  3. Air bags101
  4. Service brakes82
  5. Exterior lighting73
  6. Steering65
  7. Engine64
  8. Vehicle speed control46
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)34
  10. Seats31
  11. Fuel/propulsion system29
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  13. Suspension13
  14. Fuel system, gasoline12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20061
200713
200815
200910
201030
201144
201253
201391
2014150
201559
201640
201733
201825
201912
202010
202111
20223
20232
20242
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

184 reports6 crashes2 related recalls
“Unknown Shifter locks and won't start. Driving on interstate and the engine started to rev up. The tac showed excessive pressure. Esc and traction lights appear. This car has only 110,000 miles on it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11749533

Electrical system

105 reports1 crash3 fires1 related recall
“The automatic transmission shift cable, has malfunctioned. The center piece that connects to the gear shift has melted, and prevents the car from starting and shifting gears. The damage was created due to high temperatures from the motor, being that it is very close to it. This should be replaced by the manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11714057

Air bags

101 reports4 crashes
“I HAVE OWNED THIS 2007 SATURN AURA SINCE 2017 AND THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THERE IS A FRONT PASSENGER OR NOT, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I'M USING THE CAR THAT DAY AND THEN OTHER TIMES THE LIGHT COME ON FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AND ON RARE OCCASIONS THE LIGHT WILL REMAIN OFF THAT ENTIRE DAY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR AT WHAT SPEED THIS OCCURS, IT SEEMS TO BE TOTALLY RANDOM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR THAT CURRENTLY HAS 109,00 MILES ON IT. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2020Air bagsODI 11350469

Service brakes

82 reports1 crash
“While driving the car doesn’t switch gear properly. The car made a stalling noise and as soon as I remove my foot from the gas pedal it’s automatically braking.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2022Service brakes, Power trainODI 11482711

Exterior lighting

73 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that she was calling on behalf of her deceased son. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing failures with the electrical system. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights would fail to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that her son had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who had informed him that the brakes needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2022Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11454828

Steering

65 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the power steering failed, and the steering wheel separated from the steering shaft. Additionally, the contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle started to shake. The contact applied excessive pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags, check engine, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall for the failure. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage approximately 228,078.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2023SteeringODI 11507048
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.