Problems · by component

2009 Saturn Aura power train problems

65 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Saturn Aura cite power train, 17% of all 390 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
65
17% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. Additionally, while driving 50-55 MPH, the transmission jolted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control), 14V153000 (Steering), 12V460000 (Power Train), and 09V073000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2023Steering, Power trainODI 11513242
“The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while attempting to shift into PARK, the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated that the following day, the vehicle was unable to shift into PARK. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2021Power trainODI 11444429
“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
“THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAY ON. THE ESC ALERT/TRACTION CONTROL ALERT ALWAYS TURNS ON. ACCELERATION AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. RPMS SHOOT UP AND JERKS INTO NEXT GEAR FROM WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON, AND SOMETIMES THEY HAPPEN AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE MODELS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11434713
“I WAS DRIVING HOME ON HWY 59 AND MY 2009 SATURN AURA XE JUMPED INTO REDUCE POWER MODE AND CUT OFF ON ME ,,THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, ALSO THE ENGINE RPMS GO HIGH EMGINE LIGHTS CUT ON AND CODES SAYS SENSORS AND THROTTLE BODY ALONG WITH AIR MASS BOX HAS A LEAK AND I HAVE TO CUT THE ENGINE TAKE OFF THE BATTERY TOO RESET THE COMPUTER, MY ABS SENSORS TURN ON AND OFF AND THE EXAUST KEEPS HAVING LEAKS IN THE MUFFLER EITHER BEHIND THE MOTOR OR UNDER THE CAR BY THE CATALAC CONVERTER ..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2020Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 11373787

Showing 6 of 65 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

2 recalls on this component

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

Power trainReported Sep 18, 2012NHTSA 12V460000

Power train: column shift

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Power trainReported Mar 6, 2009NHTSA 09V073000
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.