Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Saturn Aura problems

Owners filed 390 complaints about the 2009 Saturn Aura with NHTSA between Mar 2009 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is steering (210).

Complaints
390
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering210
  2. Power train65
  3. Electrical system59
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)59
  5. Service brakes40
  6. Vehicle speed control29
  7. Exterior lighting26
  8. Air bags21
  9. Engine17
  10. Seats8
  11. Fuel/propulsion system8
  12. Traction control system5
  13. Visibility/wiper4
  14. Visibility4

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 Nov 9, 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
20093
20103
20113
20124
201325
201467
201570
201629
201732
201845
201937
202023
202120
202213
20233
20244
20255
20264

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

Steering

210 reports3 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“My steering wheel started to randomly shake while I was driving this car through a car wash that I go through monthly. all of a sudden my wheel locked up and flashing warning signals appeared on my dashboard “SERVICE ESC” making me at a loss of electric power steering assist. I never got in an accident or anything. It just happened while I was driving through a car wash.. I know my vehicle should be involved in the loss of electric power steering assist as it has had every symptom and have had multiple 3rd party mechanics tell me the same thing that this is under a recall, but when I check I do not see this recall for my VIN. I was very concerned for my well being and am confused why this is not covered as I had a special coverage for this under my VIN : [XXX] . 2009 Saturn aura XE SEDAN. It is a consistent message I get on my vehicle when I start and am unfortunately not able to drive it because I do not want to put others at risk. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2026SteeringODI 11724705

Power train

65 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the transmission failed to shift properly, and the vehicle jerked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2025Steering, Power trainODI 11663160

Electrical system

59 reports1 crash2 fires1 related recall
“The car turned off while driving on the highway. The car just recently within the last year or so started giving us electrical problems. The mechanic on August 14, 2025. Replaced the alternator, the second within 3 years. The battery replaced twice within 3 years, as well. Internal dashboard light flickers. The car fails to start several times a month. The driver & passenger seats is not stable, it shifts or moves. The battery's pos and neg poles are extremely hot. Steering wheel stiffened up hard to maneuver. The above problems are ongoing throughout the years. My wife hears a popping sound coming from under the hood.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2025Steering, Electrical system, SeatsODI 11686169

Electronic stability control (esc)

59 reports1 crash
“THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAY ON. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THEY GO OFF FOR 5 SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK ON. THE ESC ALERT/TRACTION CONTROL ALERT ALWAYS TURNS ON. ACCELERATION AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. RPMS SHOOT UP AND JERKS INTO NEXT GEAR. SOMETIMES THESE THINGS ARE LIKE THIS RIGHT FROM WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON, AND SOMETIMES THEY HAPPEN AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING A LITTLE WHILE. IT HAS DONE THIS BEFORE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR FOR IT. I BROUGHT IT IN, AND WAS FIXED. ABOUT A YEAR LATER IT STARTED AGAIN BUT I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T COVER IT TO BE FIXED AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2020Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11355583

Service brakes

40 reports3 crashes
“I was driving and all of a sudden I lost power steering and I had to get over pull over and I was freaking out I could have crashed my dash was saying service ecs”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2025Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11696223

Vehicle speed control

29 reports1 crash
“The brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights will not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features. The car is available for inspection upon request. I am put at risk because there are multiple system malfunctions that occur that could result in a wreck or injury. The brakes selectively illuminating can result in a rear end collision and is not safe for travel. The traction control malfunction is unsafe for safe travel on the road. When the problem occurs the TSC will disengage with a light on the dashboard. The brake lights will stay illuminated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11435015
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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