NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Saturn Aura (Page 2 of 5)

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2008 Aura’s issues with brakes, such as worn out rotors, isn’t as severe as the prior model year, but let’s just not start awarding them any brake awards just yet. Does that even exist? “The Brakies”?

One thing the 2008 does share with the 2007 is a recall of a busted gear shifter cable which can make it look like your car is in park, when the transmission is still engaged. You can only imagine what kind of fun that causes.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,051 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.

2008 Saturn Aura electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Saturn Aura:

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

2008 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #66

Aug 272018

Aura

  • 153,000 miles

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

My vehicle has had electrical issues for a few months. The power locks will not work but, randomly driving down the road they will start going up and down and then in park when I'm not in the vehicle the doors will automatically lock but, any other time they do not work. Also 2 days ago on my way to work the power steering instantly went when I pulled into work. I parked the car and shut it off. When I turned it back on it was working again. I'm very scared of this happening while driving.

- Exeter, NH, USA

problem #65

Jun 212018

Aura

  • 104,000 miles
#1 (steering column) jars occasionaly when turning at slow speeds making it jar the whole car and also makes it hard to turn. #2 (electrical)power locks on every door but driver side does not work occasionaly...and passenger door sometimes does not latch and sometimes wont open when door is unlocked and car is setting still and or moving.

- Waynesburg, KY, USA

problem #64

Nov 052017

Aura

  • miles
I purchased this car on 11/05/2017 and have experienced more problems everyday with the electrical systems in the car. My power locks rarely work on all of my doors. I manually unlock my driver's door and if I try to unlock the other doors with my power lock controls, some or none of the other locks will unlock or lock. This problem happens with the car being stationary, in motion, and on all varieties of driving. My seatbelt light on my dashboard flashes even when my seatbelt is on. This problem happens with the car being stationary, in motion, and on all varieties of driving. The tire monitor and tire pressure light are on at all times, even after having my tires checked by a specialist. This problem happens with the car being stationary, in motion, and on all varieties of driving. The passenger airbag goes on and off when a passenger is seated and wearing a seatbelt. This problem has only been noticed while driving for more than 5 minutes. The overall lights on my dashboard will dim, go completely out, and turn back on after driving for a few minutes. This problem happens with the car in motion and on all varieties of driving. The trunk, that doesn't have exterior key access, sometimes doesn't open and has to be accessed from the interior via the backseats. This problem has only been attempted while stationary.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #63

Apr 152017

Aura

  • 154,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. When attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start and had to be jumpstarted every time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that, due to a fault in the wiring harness, the radio was unable to shut off and drained the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The contact was provided the number to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #62

Aug 102017

Aura

  • 41,000 miles
While driving and at speeds between 35 mph and 55 mph the car shuts off like the ignition was turned off and when put in to natural while still moving try to start car and it won't crank, it is difficult to get the car off the road and stopped. Car is now in park, try to start and the engine will not crank, needs to set for 30 or so minutes and now will crank. I replaced the ignition relay but did not fix the problem. This has happened to me 6 times in the pass 4 weeks. No documentation.

- Berwick, PA, USA

problem #61

Apr 072017

Aura

  • miles
My trunk button only works on occasions and 2 of my door won't lock or unlock if it's hot outside. If it's cold all my doors work. It's crazy! I have to walk around my car locking all my doors. Although locked or not the alarm will go off. I have had to change my water pump 2 times in this car. I took it in for brakes & they're saying it needs to be changed again! there's no way I should be doing this. The water pump was changed twice by an actual dealership. This car has serious issues especially in the heat!

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #60

Feb 012016

Aura

  • 12,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that there was an intermittent failure in which the vehicle failed to shift, and the transmission and engine warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the dtc indicated a failure with the transmission module. The contact replaced the module, but the failure continued. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V224000 (power train) and 12V460000 (power train); however, the contact experienced the same failures related to the recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failures to determine if they could provide a solution. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #59

Apr 122017

Aura

  • 36,000 miles
The first sign of problems was while driving the automatic locks started locking and unlocking themselves. This would happen off and on with it locking and unlocking very quickly and repeatedly, ceasing and then starting it again forapproximately 2 or 3 days. Then it would stop all together for 3 or 4 days maybe a week and then repeat the same pattern. I also noticed a couple of times while my car was parked in my driveway the brake lights would be on. I'm not sure if they went off when I parked my car and got out for the day or if they just suddenly came on while my car was parked. I only noticed this around 3 or 4 times. The main event which brings me here is I was driving doing around 30 miles per hour on a side road when suddenly I could not control my steering easily. Around the same time or seconds after my dash lights started going crazy and all of them flickering off and on. I immediately started to brake my vehicle to come to a stop because it scared me. I was seconds from my destination and my husband was with me and we decided very slowly make it to the bank parking lot. As I turned my car started acting as if it was just failing to run. My husband says this was the transmission. As I turned and started to brake to a stop my brakes did not work as they normally did. Once stopped my car died and would not turn over. We thought the battery died. We then got a jump and the car died again this time not starting back at all.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #58

Nov 012016

Aura

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #57

Aug 092016

Aura

  • miles
The cruise control in my 2008 Saturn Aura is not functioning. Service ESC and traction control lights flash on the dashboard intermittently. Brakes lights are on constantly, even when the brake is not applied. I took my car to a Saturn-approved Chevy dealer for service and referenced the NHTSA recall #14V252000 from 2014. The mechanics checked the scan data and found the brake pedal learned position data was erractic in the body control module and won't hold the settings. They checked the circuits and connections (and supposedly reperformed the 2014 recall repair) but concluded that the fault is in the BCM. They suggested replacing the BCM, at a cost of $600. I explained to the mechanic that I believe the failing BCM is due to the voltage fluctuations that prompted the recall, left the dealership, and called GM. A senior advisor at GM explained that they will not do anything about the apparent safety defect because the recall did not require replacement of the BCM.

- Worthington, OH, USA

problem #56

Feb 092016

Aura

  • 112,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. In addition, the contact mentioned that an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle and it locked and unlocked independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Millersburg, PA, USA

problem #55

Mar 012016

Aura

  • 70,000 miles
While driving, the door locks engage and disengage repeatedly. The key fob doesn't work at all, the doors have to be manually locked / unlocked.however they will unlock / lock on their own while sitting in the driveway.

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #54

May 042016

Aura

  • 80,000 miles
I recently bought my dad's 2008 Saturn Aura. Almost immediately I noticed that my brake lights would go on without me pressing the pedal and that at times my brake light would not go on when I was pressing on the pedal. I did some research and found that the cars had been recalled (14V252000) in 2014 for this issue. My dad had brought the car in in Oct 2014 for this recall and it was supposedly fixed. The dealer has said they cannot help me as the recall is not under warranty. I am now going to have to pay hundreds to fix something that should have been fixed years ago. This is a huge safety issue!

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #53

Feb 252016

Aura

  • miles
Takata recall power locks continuously locking and unlocking, whether the car is in motion or stationary. Had instance where door would not unlock on drivers side from outside or inside. Extreme safety hazard.

- Greenfield, IN, USA

problem #52

Dec 012015

Aura

  • 80,000 miles
Power locks out of control, continuously locking and unlocking, whether the car is in motion or stationary. Power locks are very disturbing/distracting, clicking on and off while driving.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #51

Aug 252015

Aura

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the recall repair of the electrical system caused other parts of the vehicle to fail. The front doors unlocked by themselves, the trunk would not unlock, and the rear doors would not unlock when using the automatic key. Furthermore, the engine light sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Joliet , IL, USA

problem #50

Jan 012013

Aura

  • miles
We have not been able to get our recalls repaired. We have only been able to get the brake sensor repaired. We are still having issues with the ESC sensors, speed control and power locks freaking out whenever they want. Every time we call the dealership we are being told that the parts are not available. This issue is getting worse and need to be corrected asap.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #49

Jun 082015

Aura

  • miles
My vehicle began with service traction illumination a couple of years ago. Took it into the GM elk grove dealership and they informed me that I had a bad catalic converter and fuel injection cleaning needed. Items were replaced and service completed. Within a couple/few years, my service traction light came back on with the check engine light and car began to stall, same issues as before. Took it back to GM elk grove dealership and they stated my catalic coverter needed to be replaced, my fuel tank, my air mass flow sensor replaced along with intake shaft sensor and another sensor. I fixed all items. Today not even 6 months later, my service traction light is back on, check engine light, and engine power reduced while driving on freeway. Speed reduced as low as 45miles per hour and when you come to a complete stop, car shakes.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #48

Nov 142014

Aura

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the four interior power door locks unlocked and locked continuously with a clicking sound. The failure occurred whether the vehicle was in operation or parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Enid, MS, USA

problem #47

May 042015

Aura

  • 118,056 miles
I was parked in my driveway and I had my foot on the brake, I noticed I could not see the brakes lights illuminating. I had my friend push the brake pedal and I got out and looked at the brake lights. All three brake lights are not illuminating when the pedal is pressed. If the car is running they still do not work, just the led's in the tail light assembly get brighter when the pedal is pressed. We have recently taken the Aura to the GM dealer for the BCM recall, they put in a spacer and added di-electric grease. It was functioning properly since the recall. On May 4th I realized the brake lights were no longer working. Also the power locks work intermittently on the car. Some days the locks work, other days they don't (very erratic).

- Chicago, IL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?