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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,942 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2007 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Apr 092008

Aura 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 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 someone informed her that her brake lights were illuminated while her foot was not on the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 29,000. Updated 07-10-13 the consumer stated the brake lights would illuminate at any time while driving. The repair, still did not resolve the issue. Updated 07/18/13

- Painesville, OH, USA

problem #19

Apr 242013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I noticed this morning as I was driving to work (dark, 5 am, cst) that the brake light in the back window stays lit. It would go off for about three seconds when the brake pedal was pressed, but then it would come back on and stay lit until the pedal is pressed again. I've done a little research and noticed that this is widespread and common in this car.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #18

Nov 172010

Aura

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph with the cruise control activated, the brake warning lights illuminated independently without the brake pedal being engaged. The cruise control also disengaged as the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic three times for the same defect. The body control module (BCM) was reprogrammed each time the vehicle was taken to the mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #17

Apr 022012

Aura

  • miles

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

Last year sometime in 2012 I started noticing my brake light staying on. I have taken it to the dealership and they have looked at the problem three times. The problem stay exists to this day. Still trying to get the issue resolved.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #16

Apr 012013

Aura

  • 108,756 miles
Brake light come on when ever stay until whenever did service bulletin 4 times in the last year works temporary I have been dealing with this for 2 1/2 years change everything did every thing by the book.

- Montague, MI, USA

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problem #15

Oct 202009

Aura 6-cyl

  • 21,420 miles
Rear brake lights came on without pressing the brake pedal & stayed on. When the brake pedal is applied all the rear brake lights go out as long as pressure is applied. When brake pedal pressure is released the brake lights come back on. When this problem is happening the speed control, stability control and traction control also stop working. Dealer replaced module 2.560 part # 25861370. This same problem happen again at 48,300 miles on 9/7/12 and I had dealer repair again but this time the repair was not covered by warranty.

- Clarklake, MI, USA

problem #14

May 202009

Aura

  • 45,000 miles

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

The back brakes lights come on when not in use. This is more obvious when it is dark because you can see the brake light in the back window. And when you brake the light goes off. Very dangerous and I have taken the car to a mechanic and they have not been able to find the problem and the dealer won't cover it. This has been ongoing for several years. I have actually thought of selling the car because its so frustrating.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #13

May 102012

Aura 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
I was driving on the interstate my cruise control disengaged and the brake lights came on. The brake lights stayed on and the cruise control would not work. When brakes were applied the brake lights went off and no rear tail lights. Where visible. Since it was way out of warranty I took it to a local mechanic it took a long time to figure it out. They put dialmetic (spelling) on wires going into a connection box. It was very scary to drive felt like you need to pump your brakes when stopped to let other drivers know that you were stopped.

- Charlotte, MI, USA

problem #12

Feb 222013

Aura

  • 37,000 miles
Over the past few weeks, the brake lights have been working sporadically. Sometimes they stay on, sometimes they do not come on, and sometimes they work opposite (when you press the brakes they go off and when your are not on the brakes they come on). This is an extreme safety hazard. It has gone to a dealer once already and I have already made a second appointment with them for the same issue. From the research I have done this is a common issue for at least 3 GM models. This is dangerous when the brake lights do not work. I drive on the pa turnpike every morning at speeds of 55-65 mph and if my brake lights do not work when I go to slow down, I am at risk of someone hitting me at a high rate of speed. Please look into this issue. It seems this is a common issue with the Saturn Aura, Pontiac G6, and Chevy Malibu.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #11

Jul 012007

Aura

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the brake lights failed to illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the brake switch would have to be replaced. After the repair, the failure continued. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

problem #10

May 012012

Aura

  • 60,000 miles

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

While driving along w/cruise control on it suddenly shuts off, and my brake lights come on without applying my brakes, the brake lights stay on until I apply my brakes then with my foot on the brake the lights go off I take my foot off the brake & the brake lights go on & stay on until I apply the brakes again & the cruise will not work when the brake light are on & when I first start the car I have to push real hard on the brake pedal to get the car out of park. This has been happening almost everyday for months now. I've had mechanics check it out they replaced stop light switch & cleaned contacts & reset computer but nothing works, General Motors should have to correct this problem before somebody gets in a bad accident.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #9

Feb 092011

Aura

  • 65,000 miles
My brakes lights continue to come off and on for no reason. When my brakes are on and im not braking, if I step on the brake peddle my lights go off, often causing me to nearly get rear ended. I have also had the same problem with the lights turning off my cruise control at random. My last incident happened when the cruise control wouldn't turn off and I almost got sent through a toll gate at 75 mph when I was trying to pull over to pay my toll. If there would have been anyone else in line waiting to pay their tolls I would have surely been in a horrible accident. I have taken my car to three different mechanics on three different incidents and no one can seem to fix the problem. I believe this is a manufacturing flaw and all owners of this vehicle should be notified of the possible risk. Before someone gets seriously hurt, or worse yet killed!

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #8

Jun 012010

Aura 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
I purchased a 2007 Saturn Aura in May 2010 with 36,000 miles. I immediately noticed my cruise control would occasionally shut off by itself. About a month later, it did it again, but this time I noticed (it was at night) then when the cruise control shut off, the brake lights had come on by themselves. After starting to pay attention to this more, I realized the brake lights are coming on my themselves. They only shut off when you press on the brake pedal. Thus drivers behind me think I am riding my brakes and then when I in fact use the brake, the brake light shuts off. This is a serious safety issue. Dealerships and Saturn/GM customer service have been no help. I researched this online and found 24,300 results of Saturn Aura brake light problems. Dealership said they have no way to fix it, I have replaced fuses, sensors, pressure switches, nothing has worked. I have a 3 year old that I won't even let ride in my car for fear I will be rear ended with him should my brake lights decide not to work. There has been times that they won't even work at all. This is an everyday problem. Everyday my brake lights come on while driving down the road and only go off when I actually use the brake. Someone is going to get seriously hurt in an accident, and if it is someone in my vehicle, GM is the first place I'm going to for answers. I have owned GM vehicles for 15 years and after the horrible customer service I received (after I filed a BBB complaint) I will never buy GM again.

- Grant, MI, USA

problem #7

Jul 012010

Aura

  • 68,763 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact noticed that the brake light would illuminate when the brakes were depressed and when the brake pedal was released, the light would shut off. Also when the brake light was illuminated, the cruise control would disengage, and if the brake light was off, the cruise control would engage. Neither the dealer or the manufacturer had been notified and the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current mileage was 91,950 and the failure mileage was 68,763.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

problem #6

May 232010

Aura

  • 35,000 miles
I bought this 2007 Saturn Aura on 05/23/2010. The same day I started noticing my cruise control wasn't working properly. Sometime it would work, other times it wouldn't. then I realized when I drove the car home that night that the brake lights were on and this was causing the cruise to not work. The brake lights will come on at random times without pressing on the brake pedal. You have to press the brake pedal to shut them off. Opposite of what should be happening. So when my brake lights are on(came on by themselves) and I actually need to stop, the brake lights go off when I use the brake. A major safety issue in my opinion. We replaced two pressure switches in the brake pedal thinking that was the problem. Still not fixed. We also replaced a few other parts associated with the brake pedal and it still wasn't corrected. So, I contacted the dealership who told me they had no idea how to fix it and would need to go thru my wiring one by one and inspect everything and warned me it was limitless how much a repair like that could cost. So, I called Saturn customer service. I talked to a woman named judy who was no help. She gave me a list of repairs to be done and said I had to go thru that list first and pay for all the repairs out of pocket and if it didn't work then she was at a loss too. I told her I have done alot of research about this online and have found hundreds of complaints for this very issue on numerous web site's. she said the company is unaware of the problem. (which I doubt). I have a 3 year old son who rides in the backseat of this car and it is a disaster waiting to happen. There have been multiple times I have been slowing down to turn into a store or an intersection and people have come flying up behind me because my brake lights are not working almost rear ending me. When the lights go off, its 8 seconds before they come back on.

- Grant, MI, USA

problem #5

Jun 222010

Aura

  • 9,701 miles
I am the original owner of a 2007 Saturn Aura xr that was purchased in August 2007. Almost immediately I had to bring the car back to the dealer in Sept 2007 to investigate "service air bag" and "ESC" warning lights. Additionally, I began noticing that my brake lights were malfunctioning. They would be on while I was driving and then would go off when the pedal was depressed. This made for very unsettling driving. I had to bring the car back to Saturn twice in 2007 to "fix" the problem but I has started again. I brought the car to the Chevy dealer that now provides service for Saturn customers on June 22, 2010 to address the brake lights. They kept the car for two days and supposedly "fixed" it. Well the problem still persists. You can remote start the car and the brake lights are on. You can turn the car on normally, , depress the brake pedal and the brake lights illuminate but fail to go off. The center brake light doesn't appear to want to work correctly either. This is very frustrating. Does anyone know the correct solution to this problem? ps-my mileage is 18,000 miles.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 152009

Aura

  • 34,000 miles
I have a 2007 Saturn Aura xe. The problem is the brake lights come on without pressing the brake pedal while driving and when the vehicle is in park. When the brake pedal is pressed, the brake lights actually go off! this happens frequently and sometimes it can go a few days without happening. The cruise control malfunctions occasionally also. While still under warranty, Saturn replaced the brake sensor and that took care of the cruise control but the problem is now happening again and unfortunately, the warranty has expired. Driving with the brake lights illuminated is a traffic hazard and certainly trying to stop while depressing the brake without lights is an even bigger hazard!!

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #3

Feb 032010

Aura

  • 20,000 miles
2007 Saturn Aura hybrid rear lights collecting condensation not properly sealed both sides hence rear night/brake light/turn signal not clearly seen by other drivers from behind. Potential accidents especially during winter season. This is the third time the rear lights were replaced but still issue is there.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #2

Sep 012009

Aura

  • 26,427 miles
I purchased my car new off the lot while out of state. I have had several issues with this vehicle. I am unsatisfied with Saturn that they are not willing to look into these issues and fix, repair or replace the parts to fix the problems. Unless continuously my expense. The brake lights are lit while driving down the road, and when you place your foot on the pedal and apply pressure, the lights will go off, thus removing your foot from petal, 8 seconds, the lights for my brakes are back on. Mind you when you apply the brake, the lights go off, so explain this to the officers that stop me, and give me a ticket for repair because I don't have brake lights when stopping!! not to mention the times of being almost rear ended because of this issue! getting it fixed and it continues to reoccur is getting old. Does someone really have to be killed to fix this problem" the braking system in general with the rotors and pads has been a consistent repair replace factor. I have replaced brake pads, had rotors turned, had them replaced, etc minimum of every 10,000 miles due to the rotors being warped, causing severe shaking in the front end. Service garage at Saturn dealer just says this is a continued problem with the Aura vehicles, but nothing is getting resolved. Again, does someone really have to be killed to get these real issues settled" these are issues with the brakes, not with something minor. Again, issues with the air bag service light coming on, and the garage not finding a repeating error, occurs yet occasionally. Fix by turning car off and restarting. Inflate tire signal repeatedly occurs, yet to find actual cause for this issue. These are the real concerns I have with this vehicle, minor issues are the doors filling with water, pealing of interior on black areas of door molding, handles. Failure of increase of immediate speed when wanting extra power to pass or coming in on ramp to highway traffic and does not kick down immediately.

- Montague, MI, USA

problem #1

Jun 012009

Aura

  • 49,000 miles
The brake pedal position switch is incorrectly programmed, this causes the brake lamps to operating in a constant state of illumination when the pedal is not pressed, worse yet the brake lights shut off when brake pedal is pressed. I have already replaced the brake switch and relay. This is the same issue for recall Pontiac G8 recall NHTSA campaign id number: 09V172000.

- Redford, MI, USA

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