2009 Saturn Aura problems
Owners have filed 588 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Saturn Aura. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 36% of complaints. Next are drivetrain & axles (11%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 588 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 503 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 33 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 29 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 39 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 62 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 86 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 69 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 68 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 45 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 41 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 15 |
| 200k+ miles | 16 |
What the data shows
Of the 503 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 100,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 123,000 miles (179 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 15 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
My mother was driving her vehicle when it suddenly accelerated to over 100 MPH, she crashed her vehicle and died from the impact. Witnesses state she had her flashers on and she was observed trying to control the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 saturn aura. While driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle inadvertently veered to the right side of the road. In addition, the contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the front passenger side and rear of the vehicle. As a result, the contact sustained second degree burns on both arms and left leg that required medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware of a police report. The vehicle was destroyed.
Traction control button (triangle on dash) will display then gauges start flickering back and fourth like an electrical issue and then on display it says service ESC and car will not shift into gears and you cannot steer or control vehicle properly with these issues going on. I entered my VIN because there are recalls for these issues but it says my VIN was not recalled. Once car is shut off it will reset itself I guess but it has happened several times now.
My problem started with a left turn blinker, it wouldn't turn on and stay fixed. I have to hold it down. And if I would turn right it would stay down but when turn completed it wont go back up. Then when I start the car I hear it working extra hard and I hear electrical sound in steering wheel when stationed ...sensors on tire pressure was changed on the right...a year ago...but all tire pressure sensors still doesn't show pressure correctly. When breaking the wheel shaking badly after alignment.