Saturn

Aura (1st)

2007-2009 · Full-Size Sedan · 3 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.1)
1,428 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
9 Fire Reports
43 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

LE5

2.4L 4-cyl
Avoid (1.3)
463 complaints 150.3 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
246
electrical
123
transmission
69
brakes
54
exterior
44

Known Issues

Steering Issues (246 complaints)
Typical onset: 89,500–152,535 mi Est. repair: $712–$1,388 (12 reports)
Electrical System Issues (123 complaints)
Typical onset: 89,000–161,000 mi
Transmission Issues (69 complaints)
Typical onset: 64,548–109,324 mi Est. repair: $791–$2,835 (6 reports)

LZ4

3.5L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.0)
463 complaints 231.5 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
170
electrical
97
brakes
76
steering
59
safety systems
58

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (170 complaints)
Typical onset: 57,782–125,000 mi Est. repair: $323–$500 (9 reports)
Electrical System Issues (97 complaints)
Typical onset: 75,700–112,000 mi Est. repair: $100–$575 (10 reports)
Brakes Issues (76 complaints)
Typical onset: 36,000–122,000 mi

5 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Saturn Aura regardless of engine variant.

Steering Issues (351 complaints)
steering critical
Transmission Issues (343 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (304 complaints)
electrical serious
Brakes Issues (180 complaints)
brakes critical
Safety Systems Issues (110 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (6)

14V153000Mar 30, 2014serious
Steering

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.

14V224000Apr 29, 2014serious
Powertrain

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.

14E044000Jul 20, 2014serious
Steering

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.

14V252000May 13, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

12V460000Sep 17, 2012serious
Powertrain

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.

09V073000Jun 2, 2009serious
Powertrain

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".

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2009 Saturn Aura problems?

The 2007-2009 Saturn Aura has accumulated 1,428 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Saturn Aura engine is most reliable?

The 2007-2009 Saturn Aura was offered with 8 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura a good used car?

The 2007-2009 Saturn Aura can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,428 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura have?

The 2007-2009 Saturn Aura has 1,428 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2007-2009 Saturn Aura?

There are 6 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Saturn Aura?

Before buying a used Saturn Aura, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Aura?

The 2009 Saturn Aura received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: N/A stars. Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,428 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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