Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Saturn Aura problems
Owners filed 432 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Aura with NHTSA between Jun 2008 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is power train (124).
Complaints
432
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train124
- Steering112
- Electrical system92
- Service brakes59
- Exterior lighting45
- Electronic stability control (esc)43
- Air bags26
- Vehicle speed control22
- Engine19
- Seats19
- Latches/locks/linkages19
- Structure18
- Suspension8
- Fuel/propulsion system7
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
5
7
9
25
33
51
100
42
45
22
25
23
10
8
7
5
8
6
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 51 |
| 2014 | 100 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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
124 reports7 crashes2 related recalls
“The power train has failed the car won't start the fuses and relays are burning up and the transmission shifts so hard at a jolt almost. The service ecs ecm and service airbag indicator staying lit and the back passenger airbag looks like it's about to deploy it's a safety hazard I love my car I've only had it a year and I don't know what is happening or why.”
Steering
112 reports6 crashes2 related recalls
“The Air Bag Service Warning Message and warning light is illuminated I took the car back to the dealership had it serviced and a month later the message and light are on again. The passenger Air Bag sensor is malfunctioning sometimes it doesn't detect the passenger most times it detects a passenger when there isn't one. The tail and brake lights work intermittently. The steering system is dangerous. There's vibrating in the steering wheel and accelerator pedal at all speeds, the steering wheel pulls and jerks when braking and hitting bumps, the steering doesn't hold alignment and the power steering works intermittently.”
Electrical system
92 reports1 fire1 related recall
“My vehicle’s make and model have received recalls as stated online, however, my specific VIN does not state any recalls. I am having the same symptoms with the airbags, electrical, and transmission as the recalls stated with my make and model. I believe there should be recalls for my vehicle’s VIN. My check engine light has been on, and it is not shifting the way it should. My airbag warning light also turns on at times.”
Service brakes
59 reports4 crashes1 fire
“My 2008 Saturn Aura had the transmission shift cable safety recall completed. The same rollaway condition has returned. GM and the dealer refused reinspection and repair, stating the vehicle ‘has lived its life.’ This recall addresses a known rollaway safety risk, and the condition still exists.”
Exterior lighting
45 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The brake lights occasionally illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability Control) and was taken to the dealer and dielectric lubricant was added to the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector. The contact was unsure if attaching the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer and relearning the brake pedal home position was performed. The contact stated that the failure started 9 years after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
43 reports1 crash
“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.”
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.