KnownCarProblems2007 Saturn Aura Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 607 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Saturn Aura, most often about the transmission (30% of complaints, typically around 87,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Aura model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2007 Saturn Aura problems
Transmission
184 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
On 12/06/11, I was backing into my driveway when my shift cable broke. It moved my transmission from reverse into drive sending my car forward across the street. I am thankful it happened there and not in a busy parking lot somewhere. I had to get the car towed to a repair station since Saturn does not exist anymore.…
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated the shifter cable on the transmission was broken. The failure prevented the vehicle from starting immediately. When the vehicle finally started it would only shift from park to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following day and after inspecting the…
Electrical
104 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, software.
Door locks malfunction constantly locking and unlocking. Engine heat can be felt inside the car when driving causing the A/C to be used excessively waisting more gasoline. Windshield wipers wear out quickly and do not wipe water off of driver side glass well. Radio and speakers electrical malfunctioning. Lettering…
The electrical ignition failed twice on car once in 2009 and in 2015 it had issues in prior years in between dates with ignition switch and keys gm says it is not a recall issue even though other year gms are recalled for ignition switch issues.
Air bags
101 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, on-off switch assembly.
On dash warning lights for failed airbag. Drivers remains on unless passenger then that warning light supersedes drivers light which temporarily goes out . Was a problem at time car purchased used. Dealer (buick) said it was normal.. I now realize it is a fault common on these cars.
Passenger airbag indicator light works intermittently when a passenger is in the seat. An approx 125 lbs person sits in the seat and it goes on for a bit and then back off. Concerned that it airbag will not deploy properly in an accident if the sensor is not working. After reading various forums, it seems to be a…
Brakes
100 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
First noticed cruise disengaged while driving and would not re-engage. Cruise corrected itself after trying it after several miles. Second, a few weeks later, cruise quit functioning again, this time I noticed the brake lights were on while not touching brake petal. When applying brake petal the brake lights go off…
Occurring often but intermittently, my brake lights remain on while the brakes are not being engaged. When the brake lights are engaged, the brake lights will turn off and will then come back on when disengaged. This also does not allow cruise control to be activated while the brake lights remain on. This issue has…
Lights
74 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
The brake lights are on all the time while the car is running. If the brake pedal is tapped, the lights go off briefly, then come back on again. If the brakes are applied, the lights go off briefly, then come on as they should.
A fellow driver waved me down to tell me that my brake lights were "backwards," I.e., the rear brake lights were on until I hit the brakes, then all rear lights went off. Worrisome, to say the least. An internet search revealed a likely problem with the BCM, with which there seems to be a grounding issue. I took the…
Engine
74 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the service traction module light illuminated and the engine stalled. The contact merged to the side of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.…
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed that the crankshaft correlation needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made…
Steering
65 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, column, hydraulic power assist.
Transmission has started to slip around the same time the recall was released concerning gear shifter cable. I am highly concerned that this is related and now my power train warranty has expired.
Came home and attempted to park in driveway. Upon attempting to park, car would not shift all the way into park initially. I attempted to put the car into park. After several attempts car seemed to be in park. At this point I exited the vehicle. Upon returning to my drive way I found the car had drifted into my garage…
Speed control
46 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
I was driving my Saturn Aura on highway when the car abruptly dropped gears and the speed at which I was traveling was significantly reduced. I quickly pulled over to check out the problem. There didn't seem to be any major malfunctions at quick glance. Hoping that it was just a minor mishap, I attempted to drive it…
Cruise control would not set. Noticed center brake light was on without stepping on brake. Stepped on the brake and brake lights went out. Was able to set cruise control but shortly after setting the brake lights came on and cruise control released. Determined brake lights were on continuously until brake pedal…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2007 Saturn Aura recalls
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the bas and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an interim letter to customers on july 14, 2014. The recall began on august 18, 2014. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (saturn). Gm's number for this recall is 13036.
Full defect summary
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
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the âparkâ position, the transmission may not be in âpark.â if the vehicle is not in the "park" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and gm dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 14152.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on april 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 saturn aura vehicles. On may 22, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from may 16, 2003, through october 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 malibu maxx vehicles manufactured from june 25, 2003, through april 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 pontiac g6 vehicles manufactured from may 26, 2004, through september 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
Transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'park' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'park.' the vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on november 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until january 2013. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Transmission shift cable failure
Summary
On april 29, 2014, gm submitted a part 573 defect information report initiating safety recall 14v-224 to remedy the subject vehicles equipped with four speed automatic transmissions manufactured before october 31, 2007.on may 22, 2014 gm expanded 14v-224 to include my 2004-2008 chevrolet malibu/malibu maxx and my 2005 - 2008 pontiac g6 (total recall population 1,131,113).gm will install a replacement shift cable assembly to remedy the affected vehicles.the subject shift cable's protective outer conduit (jacket) deteriorates with time and use.jacket deterioration could lead to a tear of the conduit material which allows moisture to reach the lay wires, potentially causing them to corrode and
Transmission cable failure
Summary
Gm advised that the shift cable's protective outer conduit (jacket) deteriorates with time and use.variables that affect jacket life include installation variability (routing, etc), environmental and temperature effects, and material quality.jacket deterioration could lead to a tear of the conduit material which allows moisture to reach the lay wires, potentially causing them to corrode and weaken.the lay wires provide support to the inner core wire that performs the shift detent actuation of the transmission.without sufficient lay wire support, the shifter position inside the vehicle and the actual transmission gear selection may not match.a complete loss of shift function can occur when th
Questions about the 2007 Saturn Aura
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Saturn Aura?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (184 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles); electrical (104 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); air bags (101 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2007 Saturn Aura have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 14, 2014 (stability control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2007 a bad year for the Saturn Aura?
- It is the most complained-about Aura model year since 2000, with 607 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.