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Research · Midsize Cars

2010 Saturn AuraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2010 Saturn Aura. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and exterior lighting (1). The EPA rates it 20–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–26mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2014
Owner complaints
2
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2013 – Jun 2018
  1. Air bags1
  2. Exterior lighting1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Aura model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007608
2008432
2009390
20102
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

1 report1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 (NA) SATURN AURA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11102118

Exterior lighting

1 report
“IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS I'VE BEEN BEHIND 2 CHEVY IMPALA'S AND 3 SATURN AURA'S(SAME VEHICLE) AND THE BRAKE LIGHT'S WERE ON WHEN THE DRIVER'S WERE NOT USING THEIR BRAKES. IT ALL HAPPENED ON THE THRUWAY, AND WHEN THEY DID USE THEIR BRAKES THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE LESS INTELLIGENT. I SEE THE PROBLEM AND CAN AVOID IT, CAN OTHER'S? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2013Exterior lightingODI 10548023
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aura
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
223326$2,400342
Aura
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223326$2,400342
Aura
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100444
  • Aura
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV
    22 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Aura
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Aura
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Saturn Aura as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5671
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Aura questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Saturn Aura have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Saturn Aura problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), exterior lighting (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Saturn Aura get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Saturn Aura at 20–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026