Problems · by component

2009 Saturn Aura electrical system problems

59 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Saturn Aura cite electrical system, 15% of all 390 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
59
15% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“Lost power steering while driving. The power steering warning came on. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I turned it back on the power steering returned. An inspection at the Zeigler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood in Chicago on 4/19/2025 confirmed that the power steering column needs replaced. I'm having it replaced, so the part will not be available for inspection. Thankfully, I was able to pull over right away after I lost power steering, so no damage was caused. This is the first issue I've ever had with my power steering in this car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11655625
“The contact's partner owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact's partner noticed that the brake lights randomly would illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). Additionally, when the contact's partner was coming to stop while driving, the power steering failed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The failure of the power steering occurred once. The failure of the brake lights was a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2022Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11469051
“The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, while driving and making either right or left turns, the vehicle pulled in the opposite direction. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The Bureau of Automotive Repair was contacted and the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) and 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2022Steering, Electrical systemODI 11452105
“The steering locked up when i was driving on the highway. It was scary especially because I was changing lane and this has happened several time now I can't even drive my car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2021Steering, Electrical systemODI 11420933
“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM I'M ASSUMING THE ORIGINAL OWNER I WAS INFORMED THERE WERE A FEW QUIRKS LIKE THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SOMETIMES AND THE AIR CONDITIONER SOMETIMES WORKS RANDOMLY.. I INVESTIGATED THE QUIRKS AND HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK I'M NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY IT DIED SOMEBODY'S EVENTUALLY LUNGES FORWARD AS IF IT JUST WENT INTO GEAR AND THEN THE KEY IS RELEASED THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK AND I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AC IS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OR IF IT'S DUE TO A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE HOWEVER IT ALSO SEEMS TO WHEN IT GOES OUT THE FRONT DRIVERS HEADLIGHT STOPS WORKING I SEE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR HOW DO I PUT THE VIN NUMBER IN IT STATES THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2020Suspension, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11329598

Showing 6 of 59 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: wiring

Remedy pending

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to 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.

Electrical systemReported May 14, 2014NHTSA 14V252000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

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