Aura (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
LZ4
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE5
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Saturn Aura Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LAT - MFI, DOHC, Bas Hybrid, Ecotec
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
5.7-V8-Gas
5.7L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LL0
1.9L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L34
2.0L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2BBL
2.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saturn Aura, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2007-2009 Saturn Aura
On a used 2007-2009 Saturn Aura, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (386), the transmission and drivetrain (373) and the electrical system (341). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura about the steering.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 373 owner complaints on the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 341 owner complaints on the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura about the electrical system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 211 owner complaints on the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura about the brakes.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 151 owner complaints on the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (6)
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show 1 older recall
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2007-2009 Saturn Aura complaints?
Owners have filed 1,427 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura. The systems they name most often are the steering, the transmission and the electrical system.
Is the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,427 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura have?
NHTSA has 1,427 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Saturn Aura?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Aura have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,427 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.