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September 3: GM's Special Coverage N192219480 Program Closes Investigation investigations | 82 days ago

NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2007 Saturn Aura (Page 1 of 9)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

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 1 of 9)

Mar 012024

Aura

150,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the transmission and the power steering were inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Bemidji, MN, USA

Aug 162022

Aura

miles

While driving the car doesn-??t switch gear properly. The car made a stalling noise and as soon as I remove my foot from the gas pedal it-??s automatically braking.

- Horn Lake, MS, USA

Aug 282021

Aura

103,000 miles

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while trying to pull into a parking spot, the vehicle would not shift into gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed and repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V224000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Jun 012021

Aura

140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking spot, the gear shifter failed to shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Apr 302021

Aura

miles

When attempting to park, automatic gear shift would not engage and vehicle started to roll backwards. Once vehicle was turned off gear shift move freely but would not engage the transmission. Had to have vehicle towed as it would not start since the shift cable would not move into the parked position.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

Jan 132021

Aura

268,000 miles

So today driving to work car ran fine got off my exit came to the red light and stopped. When I gave it gas to go the engine reved up and went but very slowly then it stopped reving and drive fine. Then on my way home did the same thing till I went to pull on to the street I live on and had to wait for traffic my car would not move but rev the engine. Husband is checking transmission fluild levels. But has never dun this in the year I have had this used car. Not sure what to do now. Have ready a lot of fourms and alot of people having the same issues. But no recall

- Hammond, LA, USA

Jan 112021

Aura

108,000 miles

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

Will not easily shift into 2nd or 3rd while driving it shifts very hard and at high RPM

- Kingman, AZ, USA

Aug 042020

Aura

miles

This car has only 79501 miles. When I try to put it in gear it makes a loud noise ( clonk !!!!! ) also when I am driving it and use my brakes to slow down or stop I feel vibration coming from the engine compartment

- Yakima, WA, USA

Jan 182020

Aura

129,000 miles

The vehicle has completely locked up without warning and is literally so hard to even turn the wheel or even control the vehicle I was driving on a busy street and I went to turn to get off the busy road and I'm a strong man and I could barely get the car to turn and I was trying so hard to turn the wheel but I couldn't

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Dec 052019

Aura

16,880 miles

Years ago, I received a notice that my transmission might be faulty and took it in to be repaired. Last week, while backing out of a parking space, I put the car into drive and the car continued to go backward. The gear shift (automatic) would not respond at all. I had to back the car into another space and turn off the engine while still in reverse. A tow truck operator said that the gear shift cable came loose. The repair, if done at all, did not last.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Oct 272019

Aura

115,000 miles

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

I put the car in reverse and it went into reverse. But then when I put the car into drive right after it kept going in reverse. I almost hit another car. Luckly there was no one behind me that got injured. I then put car in park and no car is locked up in park in the middle of the driveway. Will not shift into any gear including neutral.

- Pigeon Forge, TN, USA

Aug 012016

Aura

miles

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the gears would not properly engage while in any gear. The failure occurred without warning. The contact experienced the vehicle rolling while in park, reverse, or drive and had to apply the emergency brake to prevent a crash. In addition, the onstar system (voice command) and radio would activate on their own due to an internal electrical wiring failure. The vehicle was taken to larry puckett Chevrolet (2101 cobbs Ford rd, prattville, al 36066, (334) 223-4481) and the battery was replaced more than four times due to the loss of power, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not available.

- Clanton, AL, USA

Mar 262019

Aura

160,000 miles

The car does not seem to go into park when you do think you have it in park it isn't another gear and as lurched out and almost smashed a couple people that have helped me with the car it also seems to have a tendency to roll because it is not fully going in the park and I cannot even start

- Omaha, NE, USA

Nov 302018

Aura

101,000 miles

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the transmission shift cable was repaired on the vehicle by tom bell Chevrolet (800 Alabama St, redlands, ca 92374, (909) 283-0690). The contact stated that the vehicle started to accelerate on its own and the brakes had to be gradually depressed to stop the vehicle. When the contact pulled the vehicle over and shifted into park, the engine continued to rev and forced the contact to completely shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no failure was found. Another unknown dealer stated the same thing and that they would have to disassemble the entire vehicle to find the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Loma-Linda, CA, USA

Jun 202018

Aura

83,000 miles

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost power while making a left turn as the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and drove home. The vehicle was later towed to apple Chevrolet (8585 w 159th St, tinley park, il 60487, (708) 429-3000) where it was diagnosed that there was transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Midlothian, IL, USA

Mar 292018

Aura

miles

Car riding fine. No lights then all of a sudden I get in from the grocery store and my check engine light comes on, traction control light comes on, engine power reduced warning comes on and car starts jerking.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Nov 022016

Aura

150,000 miles

I was on the interstate and I was going like 50 mph and all of a sudden my car completely shut off, I almost got hit so I had to pull over on the side of the road and had to restart it and it has been doing that for a year. Then one day I was driving and it started switching real weird and different not like it was suppose too so I had took it and got it looked at and they told me it was the transmission.it has been broke down for 5 months and I'm still paying on it thru the bank. I am scared with this car because I have two children and something needs to be done my kids are at danger and it isn't fair.

- Rockwood, TN, USA

Jul 312017

Aura

miles

I can not get service without making multiple trips to the dealer as required by GM to install a part that is known to them.

- Navarre, FL, USA

Jul 102017

Aura

125,000 miles

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to fully engage in park. The contact had to force the gear shifter in order for the vehicle to fully engage in park. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring for approximately six months and was becoming worse. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

May 012017

Aura

132,200 miles

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the park and reverse positions without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that there was a previous recall on the transmission shift and an extended warranty, but the mileage on the vehicle was not covered. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,200.

- Ft Ackinson, WI, USA

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