KnownCarProblems2008 Saturn Aura Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 432 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Saturn Aura, most often about the transmission (29% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Aura model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Saturn Aura problems
Transmission
124 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
I cannot consistently get the car into park. The prndl indicates I'm in park, but the car keeps rolling. I believe that this is the same issue as campaign id #: ea11015.
The vehicle transmission shift cable failed while in a public street, and was only able to move in reverse (it could not be placed in park). During an automatic transmission change on the Saturn Aura the shift cable broke causing the vehicle to be stuck in the existing gear (reverse), unable to be placed in park or…
Steering
112 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, rack and pinion.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic and the technician diagnosed the motor needed to be replaced. No repairs were made and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
While driving the power steering went on my car. It became very difficult to steer my vehicle at low speeds as well as change lanes. Now the casey chevrolet is saying that there are no recalls on the electric power assist system (eps). However when doing my research to price how much it cost I see multiple recalls in…
Electrical
92 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
I was driving on the highway with my cruise engaged. When all of a sudden, my cruise turned off. I look in my rear view mirror and I saw my third brake lights on. That's when I found out that my back brake lights come on randomly when I drive. When I use my brake pedals than my brake lights turn off. And when I…
First was door locks kept locking by itself resulting in dead battery. 2nd was traction light coming on at a stop light. 3rd was car alarm goes off when its not set. Most recently ESC active came on during light acceleration merging into traffic car would not get up to speed very nearly causing being rear ended by a…
Brakes
62 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles.
I was driving on the highway with my cruise engaged. When all of a sudden, my cruise turned off. I look in my rear view mirror and I saw my third brake lights on. That's when I found out that my back brake lights come on randomly when I drive. When I use my brake pedals than my brake lights turn off. And when I…
1st problem rear door locks would keep opening and locking by themselves,same time trunk would would not unlock.had to have all repaired at a cost of $450.2nd problem while car parked in drive an in park car rolled back into mail box now have to have fender repaired,took to dealer could find no problem.3rd problem car…
Lights
45 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
I was driving on the highway with my cruise engaged. When all of a sudden, my cruise turned off. I look in my rear view mirror and I saw my third brake lights on. That's when I found out that my back brake lights come on randomly when I drive. When I use my brake pedals than my brake lights turn off. And when I…
First was door locks kept locking by itself resulting in dead battery. 2nd was traction light coming on at a stop light. 3rd was car alarm goes off when its not set. Most recently ESC active came on during light acceleration merging into traffic car would not get up to speed very nearly causing being rear ended by a…
Stability control
43 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
I suffered a power steering failure, it was listed in a recall as a problem for Saturn Aura 2008 but my VIN number doesn't result in their recall. I had the same issue, I call them and said that my car wasn't listed in the recall. I almost crash 3 times and they don't want to fix the problem. It happened while I was…
While driving my 2008 Saturn Aura ABS light, traction control, and ESC light comes on. Car starts. Transmission on route 95 south in florida went from speed limit of 70 to 20 with no warning. Got off the highway car would not go any faster. Also could not put car into reverse.
Other or unspecified
28 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles.
When I shut the front driver or passenger side door they won't stay shut. This only happens if you open the door from the inside. It started with the driver side door first now its both front doors. To get it to shut you have to oil the outside handle like your going to open the door. This is very unsafe!!!! Sometimes…
Steering started pulsating and moving itself. When trying to maneuver, the steering stuck and when enough force was used the steering broke free but would stick again. This resulted in somewhat erratic movements on the road. Potential for a crash felt as though it was high. Took to dealer where the power steering…
Air bags
26 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The failure and the current mileage was 63,000. Updated 01/10/12
The service airbag light came on, took my car to miles chevrolet to get it checked out. They told me my airbag module is defective. My car has never been in an accident and it's a 2008. The airbag should not be defective for both of those reasons. I don't feel I should be paying for this, and I feel this is going to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. Gm expects to send an interim notification around may 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 saturn ion, 2009-2010 chevrolet hhr and 2010 chevrolet cobalts. Dealers will replace the eps motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 chevrolet malibu and malibu maxx, 2005-2006 pontiac g6 and 2008-2009 chevrolet malibu, pontiac g6 and saturn aura built from mar
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 chevrolet malibu, 2004-2006 malibu maxx, 2009-2010 hhr (non-turbo), 2010 cobalt, 2008-2009 saturn aura and 2004-2007 ion, and 2005-2009 pontiac g6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
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
Questions about the 2008 Saturn Aura
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saturn Aura?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (124 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); steering (112 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (92 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Saturn Aura have?
- 4 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 2008 a bad year for the Saturn Aura?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Aura model year since 2000, with 432 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.