FaultScore

Saturn Aura engine problems

113 of the 2,227 complaints filed about the Saturn Aura are about the engine — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

113

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

4

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2007 Aura 74 65.5%

Median failure at 88,797 miles

2008 Aura 22 19.5%

Median failure at 93,986 miles

2009 Aura 17 15.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

What owners said

2008 Saturn Aura Allentown, PA

ENGINE

My 2008 Saturn Aura had the transmission shift cable safety recall completed. The same rollaway condition has returned. GM and the dealer refused reinspection and repair, stating the vehicle ‘has lived its life.’ This recall addresses a known rollaway safety risk, and the condition still exists.

NHTSA complaint #11705265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn Aura Elmira, NY

ENGINE

I noticed a rattling while driving also smoking under the hood so I took it to a garage and he said that's no problem and that I have a severe oil leak under the front of car he showed me and oil is EVERYWHERE HE MENTIONED HE COULDNT FIX IT THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LINE AND POWERSTEERING AXLE OR PUMP. I HAVE TO ALSO PUT ANTI FREEZE IN THE CAR EVERY 2 DAYS. ALONG WITH POWERSTEERING FLUID AND MOTOR OIL. HE MENTIONED HE HAS NO IDEA WHERE THE OIL IS COMING FROM BECAUSE ITS SO MUCH ITS ALL OVER UNDER THE FRONT AND RECCOMMEND ME NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT MAY CATCH FIRE. THIS IS MY only resource of a ride. Also I noticed when I go over a bump in the road the dash lights go brighter or darker.The traction control light is also on which just came on along with a s light.i took it to the car wash and did notice it looks like a car possibly swiped the right side because there's paint missing!

NHTSA complaint #11674932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura Jackson, MS

ENGINE

Several Issues

NHTSA complaint #11653047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn Aura Baltimore, MD

ENGINE

Check engine, ABS, and traction control indicator lights have come on and gone off intermittently, even though the car has received routine services, as indicated -- though prior to that, for many months, the tire pressure indicator light would come on and go off intermittently. As I drove about 25 to 30 mph, the above mentioned control lights came on as I came to a stop, followed by the power steering indicator light (for the first time). Immediately, there was loss of power steering control. With great difficulty, I drove the car about 3 blocks and attempted to park. It took about 15 minutes to parallel park in a large space, with great difficulty. I turned off the engine and let the car sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then restarted the car, which then seemed to be fine (at least drivable) -- though the check engine and traction control lights remained on. (Still, I was afraid to drive -- thinking the power steering could go out at any time, knowing it could easily result in no control of the car, grave danger, and serious accident. Anyway, with trepidation, I drove the car back home, where it has sat since. I find the host of this car's repairs troublesome and expensive. As for the loss of power steering -- I find this unconscionable.

NHTSA complaint #11442040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn Aura at 185,456 miles Rosenberg, TX

ENGINE

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 ..

NHTSA complaint #11373787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn Aura at 130,000 miles Barstow, CA

ENGINE

THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT WILL COME ON. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SNATCH WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE TRACTION WILL DISABLE AND WONT ENABLE. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. *TR

NHTSA complaint #11241749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn Aura at 2 miles Addison, IL

ENGINE

ENGINE POWER REDUCED, TRACTION SERVICE ESC, AND ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WHEN WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #11241896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn Aura at 93,986 miles Reynoldsburg, OH

ENGINE

TRACTION AND ESC SERVICE WARNINGS COME ON RANDOMLY. CAR REDUCES ENGINE POWER RANDOMLY. CAR JERKS RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. COOLANT LEAKS BUT COOLANT WARNING DOES NOT ACTIVATE, CAR OVERHEATS.

NHTSA complaint #11230892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn Aura at 124,000 miles Readstawn, WI Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DOWN A HILL, WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESS AND FAILED TO STOP/LOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE TRYING TO DIVERT THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES SHE WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA complaint #11221688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn Aura at 120,000 miles Ingleside, TX

ENGINE

WHEN IN MOTION AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE MOTOR GOING INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND DRIVES SLOW. I HAVE REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND THE CAR STILL GOES INTO REDUCED POWER. THIS IS S SAFETY CONCETTA'S I AM AFRAID OF GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT STILL CAN NOT BE PINPOINTED.

NHTSA complaint #11208431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura at 198,000 miles Blaine, MN

ENGINE

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF REPAIR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, ENGINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. WHEN DRIVING AROUND 60MPH THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AND 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND 'TRACTION OFF' WOULD FLASH, REDUCING THE CAR SPEED AND MAKING ACCELERATION NEAR IMPOSSIBLE- SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE TRIP. CAR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY AND CAUSES TRAFFIC BUILDUP. RPM IS AT 5 (X1000)/MIN AT JUST 30MPH AND THE ENGINE IS MAKING LOUD NOISES. SOMETIMES WHEN STALLED OR AT A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE WILL CUT OUT COMPLETELY AND THE CAR WILL DIE. ALMOST CONSISTENTLY THE CAR WILL RATTLE AND SHAKE IN A PULSING MATTER. AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION. OFTEN TIMES THE ENGINE IS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS.

NHTSA complaint #11150027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saturn Aura at 106,000 miles Stevens Point, WI

ENGINE

MY CAR HAS 106,000 MILES, AND ENGINE IS BAD, ALWAYS TOOK GREAT CARE OF MY CAR, AND HAD OIL CHANGES ON TIME ETC. WHY IS THERE NOT RECALLS WHEN THERE IS SO MANY ISSSUES WITH THERE ENGINES?

NHTSA complaint #11122028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura Windsor Mills, MD Crash

ENGINE

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS, I STEP ON THE BRAKS AND THE CAR JUMPS AND GO AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC. IN HAPPENS WHEN THE TRAFFIC IS SLOW AND THEN BEGINS TO MOVE. THE LAST OCCASION RESULTED IN MY CAR BEING TOTALED. IT ALWAYS THE FRONT END.

NHTSA complaint #11104530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura Columbus, OH

ENGINE

CAR RIDING FINE. NO LIGHTS THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GET IN FROM THE GROCERY STORE AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING COMES ON AND CAR STARTS JERKING.

NHTSA complaint #11082078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura at 103,602 miles Erie, PA

ENGINE

I HAVE A 2007 SATURN AURA WITH 103,000 MILE AND THE TIMING CHAIN (BELT) WENT. UPON INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE I LEARNED THE SAME GM ENGINE IN MY AURA IS IN THE 2007 GMC ACADIA. GM HAS A RECALL ON THE TIMING BELT FOR ACADIA ENGINES AND EXTENDED THAT WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS WITH 120,000 MILES. DESPITE OTHERS AURA OWNERS COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE WITH SAME ENGINE THEY WILL NOT EXTEND THAT SAME COURTESY TO SATURN AURA OWNERS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE BELT MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #11054846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn Aura at 144 miles Gainesville, FL

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVEN IT AND STOP COMPLITY IN THE MIDLE OF THE CITY STREET SOME PEOPLE HELP ME TO PUSHED ON THE SIDE, AAA TOKED TO GMC ON MAIN STREET AND TELL ME THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND COST ME $3,000.00 TO FIXT IT AND WOUND NOT FIXT RECALLS, I HAVE BEEN WITH OUT A CAR FOR A MONTH, I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU HELP ME OUT TO HAVE SOME ONE TO FIXT THE RECALL OR SOME THING, PLEASE SIR HELP ME OUT [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11042579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura at 96,460 miles Clayton, NC

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEKEND AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAS STRETCHED AND THAT THE CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR IS NOT STAYING INTO POSITION . THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE IN EVERY CAR MODEL EXCEPT THE SATURN .

NHTSA complaint #11035970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura at 147,300 miles Ferndale, MI

ENGINE

I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND THROWING CODES. MOSTLY 0641, 0107, 0106 AND 1682. I HAVE A CODE READER AND WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO CLEAR THEM. I THEY CAME BACK RIGHT AWAY I WOULD DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE AND THAT WOULD SEEM TO WORK. SOMETIMES I WOULD DRIVE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS TO A MONTH OR TWO WITH NO PROBLEMS. THEN ON AUG. 21, 2017 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT STARTED AGAIN. WHEN I DID IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. SO I DROVE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY RESET THE CODES AND UPDATED THE ECM. THE NEXT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING, CAR WAS RUNNING SMOOTH, NO PROBLEMS. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCED POWER AND TRACTION OFF WARNING CAME ON. IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND STALLED. I TRIED TO RESTART IT AND THE WAS A FAIRLY LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE CODES SET 1682, 0452, 0641, AND 0107. I TRIED TO CLEAR THEM WITH MY CODE READER BUT THEY WOULDN'T CLEAR. I UN DID THE NEGATIVE CABLE AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND ALL I GOT WAS A MILD CLICKING SOUND I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD, SO I THOUGHT THE ECM BURNT UP. SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT STARTED I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THE WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS NEEDED FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY DONE. NONE OF THE NOTED REPAIRS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITHE THE CAR DYING. I TOLD THEM TO JUST FIGURE OUT WHY THE CAR WILL NOT START. WHILE THEY WERE WORKING ON IT I CALLED GM OWNER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE AT THIS POINT I HAD SOME FEELINGS OF MISTRUST. THE DEALER CALLED ME AFTER 3 HOURS AND TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT GOING TO CHARGE ME THE SERVICE FEE AND MY ENGINE WAS SEIZED. I WAS FLABBERGASTED. I ASKED THEM HOW COULD THE ENGINE JUST SEIZE UP WITH NO WARNING. I

NHTSA complaint #11022548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Saturn Aura at 18,800 miles Coon Rapids, MN

ENGINE

ENGINE TIMING CHAINS PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 18,800 MILES ON IT WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO SPEND 2000 DOLLARS ON HAVING THE TIMING CHAINS REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GM WOULD NOT HELP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS JUST ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD. THE OIL WAS CHANGED ALONG WITH THE FILTER EVERY 3,000 MILES BY A DEALER . WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MISSING THE CAMSHAFT THRUST WASHERS. GM DIDN'T CARE THE TIRES WERE OUTLASTING A TIMING CHAIN THAT SHOULD BE GOOD FOR OVER 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11016344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saturn Aura at 125,000 miles THE Colony, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SATURN AURA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT DETECTED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT SEE A FUEL LEAK. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND, A MECHANIC, CHECKED THE CODE THAT READ LARGE EVAP LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO ZONE (LOCATED ON MAIN ST IN COLONY, TX). THE SALESPERSON PRINTED A LIST OF EIGHTEEN DIFFERENT EVAP LEAKS THAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUFFINES CHEVROLET (LOCATED IN LEWISVILLE, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM VALVE GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FUEL FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND THEY WOULD HAD TO DROP THE FUEL TANK TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #11006257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn Aura problems