NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (Prndl) Problems

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.

2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,281 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Saturn Aura Owner Comments

problem #3

Feb 282014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 82,844 miles

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

The vehicle transmission shift cable failed while in a public street, and was only able to move in reverse (it could not be placed in park). During an automatic transmission change on the Saturn Aura the shift cable broke causing the vehicle to be stuck in the existing gear (reverse), unable to be placed in park or changed from reverse to forward. This has the identical results as recall "NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000" and "NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000". the vehicle in question had the recall work for 12V460000 completed prior to the incident, and after contacting GM was stated to not be affected by 14V224000. It is my concern that all Saturn Aura's shift cables are faulty and should be recalled.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #2

Feb 042014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
The car would not go forward or back up once you have stopped and take your foot off the brakes. The transmission failed without any warning. The warning light never came on; it had never stalled or jerked. After researching this make and model car, this is a common flaw. Another owner left the campaign number 12V460000 on the internet. I don't know the significance of this number. I do know that many owners are have the same issues with this car at 100,000 miles or 6 years after ownership. This is a $4,000 repair. Most all concerned have two years of car payments left owing on their cars. GM has selectively chosen several individual owners and repaired their transmissions.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #1

Oct 042011

Aura 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was placed into park with the brake pedal engaged, the transmission failed to recognize that is was in park. The failure recurred intermittently and became progressively worse. An authorized dealer was notified of the defect. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also made aware of the problem. There was an open concurrent investigation under NHTSA action number EA11015 (power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl) that could possibly have been associated with the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 7/18/12

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

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