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:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
86,864 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #85

Jun 212018

Aura

  • 104,000 miles

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

#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 #84

May 082018

Aura

  • 50 miles
My tire problem

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #83

Mar 052018

Aura

  • 105,000 miles
The steering has gotten very hard to steer at slow speeds. It takes effort to turn it and once turning, it will not return straight but you have to forcefully turn the steering wheel back to go straight instead of it wanting to go straight. It is not the power steering which is working fine.a machanic told me that this is an issue for many GM cars and to check. Sure enough there are many models of my car that have this issue and have been recalled. I have luckily avoided any accidents so far but the problem seems to be getting worse.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #82

Dec 012017

Aura

  • 190,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. In addition, the service brakes and electronic stability control indicators illuminated, and the brake lights remained illuminated without depressing the brake pedal. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (sutliff GMC in state college, pa) were notified, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) in 2014, but the failures recurred. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Philipsburg, PA, USA

problem #81

Apr 142018

Aura

  • 105,000 miles
Electronic power steering on vehicle keeps cutting out while driving. Car is very hard to steer when this happens, making it very dangerous. 105,000 miles on car. Recall is there for this problem on model year of car, but GM says it does not apply to my VIN

- Avon, OH, USA

problem #80

Mar 172018

Aura

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the message center displayed 'power steering ". the contact also stated that the failure began in December of 2017, but would always correct itself. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Bellefontaine, OH, USA

problem #79

Mar 152018

Aura

  • miles

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

Power steering went out without warning

- Tyler, MN, USA

problem #78

Dec 302017

Aura

  • 126,000 miles
Driving down a road doing about 35mph and notice the power steering quits working, a message comes up on the info panel that reads power steering, and a bell rings. I look in the manual and it says that the car has electric power steering (no fluid to check). I call the dealer and he says the car was repaired under a recall at 86000 miles (it has 126000 now). Apparently what ever happened before is happening again. Before all of this happened I noticed a slight vibration in the steering wheel as I was at a red light. Not sure if the two are related.

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #77

Oct 252017

Aura

  • 84,797 miles
Power steering went out as I was driving my car to work, I had to have it towed. I was tolded that this part was on a recall so I called a GM shop and was told that my car was not included in the recall why is that!!!!!!!

- Cottage Grove, MN, USA

problem #76

Aug 152014

Aura

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the steering wheel lost power intermittently without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

problem #75

Apr 122017

Aura

  • 36,000 miles

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

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 #74

May 082017

Aura

  • 107,000 miles
Power steering leaks, noisy steering/ grinding sound... saw a recall online for the power steering dated for 2014 however I never received a notice for that I just bought this car 3 months ago.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #73

Dec 082016

Aura

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving various speeds, the power steering failed and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel shook prior to the failure. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #72

Jan 272017

Aura 6-cyl

  • 0 miles
On the ground I would see small amounts of oil. I took it to get an oil change and the mechanic saw and showed me where the oil was coming from. I was told that I have a valve leak from the engine and showed me. I only have 73,879 miles on the car and feel this should not be a problem. I only use the car to go about 8 hrs of driving a week. I would like to know if there has been a recall for the engine? I have a noise in the steering wheel that makes me feel very uncomfortable and I hear it every time I back the car up. I know there was a recall on that. Would some one please get back to me concerning this issue. I am asking because I know that I am still under the manufacture warranty. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bayville, NJ, USA

problem #71

Feb 012016

Aura 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact experienced difficulty turning the steering wheel. The contact had to exert more manual effort than usual in order to steer. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact was informed by a certified mechanic of a recall regarding a steering failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 04/18/17

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #70

Jul 012013

Aura

  • 125,000 miles
While driving on the overpass/highway, car jumps/skips to the side (opposite of turning direction). Steering shaft has been replaced and didn't solve this issue. We have had front end basically re-done also. Losing power steering fluid; power steering whines and is very stiff. I am convinced that this vehicle should be on the recall list!!! very disappointed in the amount of money we have had to sink into this car. We've been dealing with a continuum of repeated problems for 3 plus years!

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #69

Dec 012016

Aura

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that there was a sudden loss of power steering while driving. The steering wheel was extremely tight and the contact had to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The eps warning indicator flashed shortly after the failure occurred. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle on more than one occasion because the power steering failed while in drive; however, it functioned when the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E044000 (steering) and 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Canal Point, FL, USA

problem #68

Nov 272016

Aura

  • 138,000 miles
I received the recall for the power steering problem back in 2014. I had the work done on the power steering per the recall parameters. However, the power steering is now having problems": it seems when the outside temp is around the 40 degree and below mark, that the power steering won't operate? I go to turn the car on, the car comes to life, and the "power steering" warning lights up on the instrument cluster? the wheel is 'dead-in-my-hands as well? after turning the ignition off then back on several times will it then activate the power steering" but, not always the case. So far, once it comes to life, the steering has not gone out. When I inquired of the warranty, apparently, per the recall details, the part(s) are only warranted for a year and its been approx. A year and a half since the work was done. Very frustrated and very concerned that the power steering may go out while driving. Especially concerned for other drivers and occupants of this vehicle!! I can send any copies of the recall performed at the local Chevy dealership if needed.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #67

Oct 102016

Aura

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering ability. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The failure mileage was 175,000.

- Harrisonville, MO, USA

problem #66

Nov 122016

Aura

  • 140,000 miles
While driving down a busy road and slowing down my vehicle as the light turned from yellow to red, my steering wheel instantly froze. The indicator screen in my car read: Power steering. It became instantly impossible for me to turn my steering wheel. I put the car in park and put my hazard lights on. I turned off my motor and started my engine again and my steering wheel was back to its normal way of usage.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

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