CarComplaints.com Notes: The Saturn Aura was a mid-size car meant to replace the somewhat problematic L-Series. Unfortunately, the Aura brought its own problems: namely cheap brake parts that needed early replacement and a gear shifter that could say it’s in park while the transmission was still engaged.

Brake problems, including uneven wear and warped rotors that cause the car to wobble, are common complaints from 2007 owners. Did GM use metal for its rotors that can’t stand the heat? That’s what some say, and it’s hard to argue when reports show that rotors could start to warp as early as 500 miles off the dealer lot.

Meanwhile, a busted gear shifter cable lead to some unwanted rollaways. That’s because the shifter could say “Park” while the transmission was still in drive, reverse or neutral. A defect investigation into the issue was opened in 2011, eventually leading to a recall of 56,000 vehicles in 2014.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,019 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Saturn Aura drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2007 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

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problem #122

Nov 272014

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle will not go in reverse. Have done some research and have seen that GM is aware of a shifter cable fraying, but no recalls have been sent out.

- Jenks, OK, USA

problem #121

Nov 202014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
There is a service bulletin for this and many other cars tsb number: Pip-4327A that states GM is aware that there is a faulty wave plate in the transmission and that the plate will break at some point. When it does break it could cost the owner anywhere from $2500 to over $5,000 to get the transmission replaced/rebuilt. When the plate does break, the car is dangerous...the car slips into different gears and speeds which can be very dangerous. Please for GM to turn this into a recall and recall/replace these plates before someone is killed.

- Fort Thomas, KY, USA

problem #120

Sep 242014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Driving North bound on 405 freeway in lane 1 (fast lane), orange county, California approximately 70 mph with flow of traffic at night on the way home from work. The car jerked suddenly, quickly started to lose speed; unable to regain speed with pedal - caused additional, intense jerking. Concurrently, other motorists began honking and swerving around as the car continued to decrease speed. Signaled for lane change & began to merge right (across 5 lanes), turned on hazard flashers after merge into far right lane. Car could go no faster than 35-39 mph range. Exited freeway. Reverse gear no longer functional. Visit to GM dealer next day, advised of widespread, known design defect to clutch wave plate on 2007-2009 GM cars with 6-speed automatic transmission. Wave plate heats up, disintegrates, and remnants shred into the transmission gears that - when occurring while car is moving, as it was in our case - will cause potential loss-of-control incidents similar to ours. Have since been informed that the wave plate design defect exists in all 3.6L V6 - 6-speed automatic transmission equipped models of Chevrolet Malibu 2008-2009, Chevrolet equinox 2007-2009, GMC acadia 2007-2009, Saturn Aura 2007-2009, Saturn vue 2007-2009, and Saturn outlook 2007-2009. The wave plate component was redesigned by GM in 2009, but GM did not as has not recalled any of these models for this condition. Even more concerning, in spite of numerous incidents reported on the NHTSA website and all over the internet (just google "GM wave plate" - it's now so prolific, that it automatically pops up as a search suggestion), NHTSA has yet to even open an investigation. This dangerous, potentially deadly defect exists and will likely fail - it's not a matter of "if, " it's a matter of "when" - on all of the aforementioned models produced. Please, NHTSA, open this as an investigation.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #119

Sep 122014

Aura

  • 104,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 09/12/14, I was driving my vehicle exiting a highway when my transmission stalled out and would not move forward. This put me and other vehicles in danger as there was no notification or indicator that transmission problems were occurring. I have learned that the vehicle has transmission failure.

- Grandview, MO, USA

problem #118

Sep 252014

Aura

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the service traction control sensor illuminated and the vehicle was jerking forward while traveling at any speed. Also, the contact mentioned that it became difficult to shift gears. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 14V224000 (power train). However, the remedy failed to repair the problem. The contact notified the authorized dealer who refused to provide a remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

- Modesto, CA, USA

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problem #117

Feb 112014

Aura

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train) or NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train). The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into the correct gear. The contact stated that it was difficult to remove the key from the ignition after the gear was shifted into the park position. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would move forward even after the vehicle was in the park position. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who replaced the transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Forest Park, IL, USA

problem #116

Sep 112014

Aura

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The 6T70 transmission prior to 2009 has a faulty weak wave plate. Caused my transmission to fail, began to start slipping at 3rd gear. Was able to exit the freeway, but the transmission completely stopped working in drive within 6 miles after the problem presented. I was in the middle of traffic with my children in the car, stopped at a traffic light. Ironically I was headed to the GM dealership. GM has none of this problem and is aware of the problem. They made changes to the transmission in 2009, but have yet to address the faulty units still on the road.

- Shelby Twp, MI, USA

problem #115

Jun 102014

Aura

  • 65,000 miles
The gear shift would not go into to park, neutral, or reverse, the gear shift to the transmission broke. The steering column fluid is leaking, the front head light went out. The head gasket is wearing out, the car is rusting already on the body. The air conditioning fan is not blowing out cool air or heat. "the transmission feels like it slipping sometimes. I feel so betrayed to have been sold a car that needs so much work when all I wanted was a dependable car to get me to my part time job. Please advise? thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Wayne,, IN, USA

problem #114

Mar 012014

Aura

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving various speeds, the vehicle vibrated violently and the service check engine indicator illuminated. The failure recurred periodically. The dealer stated that the power train, crank shaft, and drive axle transfer case needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #113

Aug 242014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
Transmission blew while driving through town. Under 100K miles and car had routine maintenance. Car will not shift and will not reverse.

- North Canton, OH, USA

problem #112

Aug 092007

Aura 6-cyl

  • 100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had my 2007 Aura for 1 week when driving a freeway, the car would not shift past 4th gear. I took it in for service and the technician found strange particles in the gears. He described it as small white plastic pieces. No explanation where they came from or what they were. He had never seen this before. The Aura, while not leaving me stranded has always has a "poltergeist", lights not functioning properly, engine lights coming on and off and no repairs needed, etc. I has always idled strangely, as if it might shut off at a stop and felt as if my RPM's increased but no speed during acceleration. Now, there is a problem with the fuel management system, which feels like a transmission issue (very hard jerking during shifting and down shifting),the car won't start after fueling. It has not been a vehicle of trust.

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #111

Oct 042013

Aura

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle jerked violently and the gears failed to shift properly from the gear box. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) and NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #110

Aug 052014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
Car began to knock loudly on driver side front and pull to left when driving at speed, front struts broken & replaced a approx cost $700 5 days following that, car would not shift out of 1st gear or roll faster than 15 mph at 5 to 6000 RPM. Vehicle was towed twice and now waiting transmission rebuild due to well documented failure of GM wave plate in the 6 speed transmission, cost approx = $3500.

- Valley View, OH, USA

problem #109

Jul 132014

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2007 Saturn Aura. I'm currently experiencing the issue associated with NHTSA campaign number 14V252000 (recall # 13036). Additional to this issue, I'm complaining that this issue could be associated with draining my car battery. Since this issue I have replaced three (3) brand new batteries. I had my alternator checked twice and both test results diagnosis was passed. Which means that my alternator is good and didn't need to be replaced. Each time I have my battery replaced with a brand new battery the life span of the battery is about 3 weeks. After that the battery is dead. If I don't replace the battery and get a jump start the life span of the battery last about 7-10 days before I will need another jump start. Today, August 9, 2014 I again had my battery and alternator diagnosed and both passed the test. I was told by a certified GM mechanic that my issue could be related to electrical system that is draining (killing) my battery because there is nothing wrong with the battery and the alternator. Could this issue (14V252) be the reason my I'm experiencing my battery to died/drain because of my car is affected by electrical system and electronic stability control issues? the consumer stated the shifting cable was replaced twice and the transmission needed to be replaced. Updated 2/24/2015

- Union City, GA, USA

problem #108

Aug 072014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 133,360 miles
Car ran fine this morning on the way to work, which is not even 2 miles from my home.went to work and straight back no problem. Got in my car this evening to go get food started the car, check engine light came on, and my air bag light came on went to pull forward and the car was jerking and making knocking noises...

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #107

Jul 052014

Aura

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) however, the contact was unable to have the vehicle serviced under the recall because the part needed was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA

problem #106

Jan 142010

Aura

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the transmission made an abnormal noise and the vehicle jerked when shifting gears. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on the regular basis. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #105

May 012014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 88,900 miles
Transmission jumping into neutral from first gear and very difficult to get back into gear. Finally get into second gear and it jumped back into neutral..called GM and was told not covered under recall as mine is 6 speed (4 speed transmission only were re-called) and too bad that the power train warranty expired in April 2012. Not even 100,000 miles on it. Dealership said definitely internal problem possibly an internal power solenoid issue but would take many hours and lot more money to diagnose. Asked about the after warranty coverage and was told by dealership no guarantee I would qualify and again it would cost me several hundred more to take apart and diagnose. Ended up buying a GM re-manufactured at $4500. Normal citizens do not have that kind of money for repairs when it is known issue by GM that the Saturn Aura's have severe problems with that transmission. Please issue recall on this transmission. I'm glad no accident happened due to this defect.

- East Wareham, MA, USA

problem #104

Jul 122014

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles
I tired to start me car today but it did not start, so I put the car in neutral than the car started up. I want to a auto zone in flint, mi the guy should the gearshift cable is defect and know in order for me to put my car in park I have to use the emergency brake than get out pop the hood nd pull the gearshift forward to put the car in park.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #103

Jul 062014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
One day prior to the incident (7/5/14) we noticed a transmission slip slightly when accelerating from what I believe was 2nd to 3rd gear. On Sunday (7/6/14), while we were driving the vehicle to a repair shop it would no longer shift at all. We had to push it off the road and have a tow truck take it to the nearest GM dealership. Once diagnosed it was discovered the transmission wave plate had failed and would cost $4200 to replace the transmission. There is currently a tsb (technical service bulletin) on this issue, but no recall. I know there must be substantial issues with this since my mother's Saturn Aura with the same transmission had a wave plate failure 3 weeks ago, although her's was still under powertrain warranty and thus covered. We currently have a case # with GM customer service, but have yet to receive any resolution from the dealership or GM/Saturn corporate.

- Berkley, MI, USA

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