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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train184
- Electrical system105
- Air bags101
- Service brakes82
- Exterior lighting73
- Steering65
- Engine64
- Vehicle speed control46
- Electronic stability control (esc)34
- Seats31
- Fuel/propulsion system29
- Service brakes, hydraulic20
- Suspension13
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
13
15
10
30
44
53
91
150
59
40
33
25
12
10
11
3
2
2
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2011 | 44 |
| 2012 | 53 |
| 2013 | 91 |
| 2014 | 150 |
| 2015 | 59 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.