Timing Chain Is Stretched

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
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,670
Average Mileage:
63,950 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace timing chain (3 reports)
  2. replace timing chains, tensioners, guides (2 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
2007 Saturn Aura engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Saturn Aura Owner Comments

problem #6

Dec 202014

Aura XR 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

Timing Chain became stretched after only 60,000 miles... Very frustrating, especially because the car otherwise was very solid. The only mentioned way I have seen to prevent this problem is frequent oil changes, changing the oil when the car tells you to is NOT enough. As others have griped about, it is a very common problem with this car, buyers beware! This CAN and WILL happen if you do not monitor it closely! As of now it is cheaper to replace then engine rather then get parts + labor to fix the mess it caused.

- nonbeliever, Santa Barbara, CA, US

problem #5

Mar 042013

Aura XR V6 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,120 miles

My family and I have been loyal GM customers for more than 35+ years. The Original Timing Chain failed at 56,120 miles in March 2013 and repaired by an authorized Chevrolet Dealer.

My 2007 Saturn Aura XR has the same V6 3.6 L engine as the 2007 models: (Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS; GMC Acadia & Saturn Outlook) that General Motors Issued a Recall Concerning Premature Wear of Timing Chains for these 2007 models. GM should honor the recall for our Saturn Aura XR but did not.

- relindenau, Rochester, NY, US

problem #4

Feb 112016

Aura XR V6 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,490 miles

Loyal GM customers for more than 35+ years, No More!

On February 2016, I was driving my 2007 Saturn Aura XR (V6 3.6 L engine) home and the check engine light came on. I took the car to my local GM dealer who stated it that it was a Timing Chain Issue. Repair Cost $ 1,700.

This is the second Timing Chain that failed at 80,490 miles February 2016 . The Original Timing Chain failed at 56,120 miles in March of 2013. Both were repaired by an authorized Chevrolet Dealer.

Yes, 2 years 11 months and 24,370 miles and the Timing Chain needed replacement. Something is inherently wrong with the engine design. It is unacceptable for a vehicle to require a Third (3) timing chain.

My 2007 Saturn Aura XR has the same V6 3.6 L engine as the 2007 models: (Cadillac CTS, SRX, STS; GMC Acadia & Saturn Outlook) that General Motors Issued a Recall Concerning Premature Wear of Timing Chains for these 2007 models. GM should honor the recall for our Saturn Aura XR.

- relindenau, Rochester, NY, US

problem #3

Apr 012015

Aura XR 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

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

I believe the Cadillac has the same engine that my 2007 Saturn XR has and they have fixed their problem. I had my vehicle in to a GM Dealership they told me the problem but did not tell me that the Cadillac CTS with the same engine gets fixed at no cost. WTF is up with that. All I am asking is to get the same deal that the Cadillac owners received. I do have the 120,000 10 year warranty also and I have only 46,000 miles on this vehicle and my wife loves it and we used it to transport our Daycare children in. HELP !!!!

- jammytyme, Livonia, MI, US

problem #2

May 052015

Aura XR 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,503 miles

Going through inspection my service light was on. I was informed that my camshaft correlation was the problem. I made an appointment with the dealer and after his testing was informed that the timing chain has stretched and need to be replaced to correct this problem. I found that a service repair was issued by GM # 11340C but did not cover the Aura but it has covered about 4 other type of vehicles with the same engine. I want to know why the Aura is not covered. I put a complaint into the hwy group also.

- Philip S., Pawling, NY, US

problem #1

Apr 022014

Aura XR 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles

The check engine and Service traction control lights came on on my way home. I took it to my local mechanic and was told that the Timing chain was stretched. The timing chain should last the life of the engine (or at least longer the 86K miles). After researching this issue it became apparent that GM has not only known about the issue for a multiple years but is doing little about it. Their solution is to change the parameters on the sensors to allow for more of a deviation (in other words allowing the problem to continue and not throwing a trouble code until after the vehicle is out of warranty).

I contacted Saturn and they said they are aware of the technical bulletin but since my vehicle is out of warranty they will do nothing to assist. This vehicle (2007 Saturn Aura XR) uses a timing "chain" and not a belt. A chain that is made of steel. Conditioned and treated Steel should not stretch unless there is a manufactured defect in the chain itself (either in the metal or in the construction). There are literally thousands of the same complaints on this board and others. This is not a new problem for GM. The bottom line is that this is a 2K repair on something that should never have to be repaired.

I've been a loyal GM customer for more then 20 years now, but this type of neglect and unwillingness to stand behind their product has insured that I will be a loyal customer no longer. STAY AWAY from GM cars with this engine (it's pervasive among all the GM brands (Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Lacrosse, Cadillac ATC, Cadillac CTS, SRC , the list goes on and on.)

- polarbear22222, Cleveland, OH, US

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