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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,414 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2007 Saturn Aura:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2007 Saturn Aura Owner Comments

problem #17

Sep 282019

Aura

  • 300 miles

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

Today while getting off the freeway my car wheels started to shake and then my car wouldn't go and take care of first I thought it was a flat tire but when I try to drive it it wouldn't go like it was stuck in neutral. Tried to turn it off and back in drive but no luck. I'm thinking it's the transmission linkage but then again I don't know

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 232019

Aura

  • 129,000 miles
Gear shift cable was recalled a few tears back and I took it to the shop to have it fixed. In August 2018 it broke again. I was leaving work and putting my cat in reverse and the cable broke and was stuck in reverse, I paid for it to be fixed. In less than a year (April 2019) it has broken again, doing the same thing, moving my cat from a parking spot and the cable broke and once again stuck in reverse.I can't get any information un regards to why it keep happening. Any information would be great....

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #15

Apr 272019

Aura

  • 186,585 miles
When driving, the car gets stuck around 35 mph. It's like the transmission doesn't go to the next gear. It revs like it wants to and even starts bucking. Sorry I don't know the technical terms for this problem. It has happened a few times now with no warning. Almost got rear ended once. The date I entered below is today's date. It's the most recent that it's happened.

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #14

Dec 152018

Aura

  • miles

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

I just saw that my car is on a list for recall

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

problem #13

Sep 082018

Aura

  • 163,000 miles
I tried pulling my car out of my garage and my car got stuck in drive and will not shift to any other gear. And since it's stuck in drive it will not start back up.

- Snellville, GA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #12

Jun 082018

Aura

  • miles
On three separate occasions going at slow speeds, I step on the braks and the car jumps and go at a high speed when I am in traffic. In happens when the traffic is slow and then begins to move. The last occasion resulted in my car being totaled. It always the front end.

- Windsor Mills, MD, USA

problem #11

May 032017

Aura

  • miles

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

Car will not pass smog due to code P0017 so I took it twice for repair and check engine light is still on. Tech said an engine flush may fix the problem but it didn't work so the next thing is the crank shaft timing chains which will cost over $2,000 to fix. Car has less than 93,000 and I have seen alot of complaints for the same issue. Will a recall be issued soon.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 182017

Aura

  • 210,000 miles
While driving 55 on a busy two lane highway the vehicle dinged and read service traction control on console, immediately the it flashed engine power reduced and engine disabled and my car lost all power and I was unable to get it all the way off the road due to the uphill incline - the car behind me shot out into oncoming traffic and almost caused a major multiple car pile up. The car restarted after sitting a few minutes with reduced engine power for the first twenty miles - I could top out at about 45 and hear an electrical engagement sound. I took it to the dealership but the traction control and engine lights were gone by the time I got there and it was back up to power. I was told it was likely a sensor on the brake pedal and they had to order the part. It has disabled on me about five times now without warning and does so at any speed. It started this before any other problems with the vehicle, specifically as I lost traction on some icy snow and spun the tires a few times when the car had 50,000 miles on it. Before the traction control was addressed I had to replace the engine as the timing chain and cam actuators failed at 210 K. we somehow forgot about the tc problem and three days into driving with a new engine the car disabled again stating service traction control.

- Oakridge, OR, USA

problem #9

Jan 012014

Aura

  • miles
If you are driving in the rain going 70 suddenly the car will slow down to 25 mph because the drainage system shorts out the computer in the dashboard.

- Fort Thomas, KY, USA

problem #8

Jul 192015

Aura

  • 150,000 miles
Travelling at 55 mph vehicle stalled sharply and jerked. It will drive but has no power.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

problem #7

Jul 082014

Aura

  • 45,000 miles

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

Random error warning messages keep appearing on my display center, ie. Airbag needs service, door ajar, stability control needs service, etc. Overhead dome lights stay on until shut off by the battery saver after 20 min., these are caused by the malfunctioning "body control module".

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 292014

Aura

  • miles
My vehicle was taken to southern Chevrolet in alexandria, la to repair a recall on this vehicle and when the vehicle was released to me the panel on either side of the shift control had been ripped out and left in a condition it could not be replaced. My car has yet to be repaired. I have pictures of the damage left by tech. If you will furnish me an address to send them to.

- Alexandria,, LA, USA

problem #5

Jul 012014

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles
I received a recall notice July 2014. I called conte Chevy of freeport, NY, 516-623-9600, they advised me they would notify when the parts come in. I'm still waiting. Please advise what to do next thank you updated 3/15/2016

- Elmont , NY, USA

problem #4

Nov 262011

Aura 6-cyl

  • 103,357 miles
Transmission shifter cable failed. Car at first would not shift into reverse, and later wouldn't go into park and could not be started. I am reporting this because this has happened with other 2007 Saturn Auras, and there have been several accidents involving problems with failure of the transmission shifter cable. Despite an active investigation NHTSA action number : EA11015, and articles in the news stating GM is offering free repairs for customers who experience this problem, GM said they had no information regarding this problem and would not cover the repair.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #3

Jan 192011

Aura

  • 60,000 miles
I drove into my garage to park the car. I put the car in park and the shifter shifted very hard. I decided to back the car out of the garage and when I went to put the car in park the gear did not engage. In fact, no gear would engage and the only way I could stop my car was to put on the parking break. I had it towed to my local dealership and they informed me that the shifter cable was broken. I started researching this problem and found that there was a recall for this exact same problem on the 2008 and 2009 Saturn Aura models, but not on the 2007 models which is of course the one I have. Upon googling this problem it seems that there are several Saturn Aura 2007 model owners that have had this same problem.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #2

Apr 282008

Aura 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
Driving a 2001 Saturn Aura xr about 30-35 mph when traffic in front of me was stopped, applied brakes, there were none. Hit vehicle in front of me at 30-35 mph and no air bags either.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1

Feb 212007

Aura 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,800 miles
In October 2006, my husband and I purchased a new 2007 Saturn Aura. In December 2006, we received a recall notice from the Saturn of greenville, nc dealership. Modification # 06147. On 12/29/06 I took the car to the dealership to have the car serviced for the recall. As explained to me the recall had to do something with the power steering. On February 21, 2007, I had an upsetting event occur with my new Aura. I drove approximately three miles from my home to a child care center to drop off my one-year old son. I continued my drive to work approximately 2.5 miles. As I approached my place of employment, I noticed some smoke and immediately thereafter lost my power steering. I struggled with the steering until I reached our parking lot and then I ran from the car in panic. Immediately upon leaving the vehicle, the engine erupted into a fiery blaze. My co-workers witnessed the fire in disbelief and assisted me with contacting the fire department. The fire consumed the front end of my vehicle and it was declared a total loss. The car only had approximately 5800 miles. After contacting Saturn corporate, the so called 'recall' above was actually only a service bulletin. Even though the notice we received in the mail had stated on it, urgent/recall notice. Since the fire, GM has re-purchased the automobile and has refunded our money. We do not know the cause of the engine fire nor do we know if the fire was related to the service bulletin we had the car serviced for in December 2006.

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

Not what you are looking for?