NHTSA — Exterior Lighting Problems

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,342 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.

2009 Saturn Aura lights problems

lights problem

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2009 Saturn Aura Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 172021

Aura

  • 230,000 miles

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

The contact's partner owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact's partner noticed that the brake lights randomly would illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). Additionally, when the contact's partner was coming to stop while driving, the power steering failed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The failure of the power steering occurred once. The failure of the brake lights was a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #19

Feb 162020

Aura

  • 123,350 miles
While driving on city streets and highways the speed control will release after being set or won't set at all, the third brake light works intermittently, and the steering got jerky while turning corners.

- Cumming, IA, USA

problem #18

Sep 262019

Aura

  • 133,000 miles
Brake lights do not illuminate correctly. The lights may illuminate while brakes are not pressed and vehicle is in motion. There are times when the vehicle is stationary or brakes are pressed and the lights fail to illuminate.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #17

Jun 182019

Aura 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake lights illuminated. While the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate; however, once the brake pedal was released, the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to moran Buick GMC (14000 telegraph rd, taylor, mi 48180, (888) 350-0669) where it was determined that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair was completed. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Brownstown, MI, USA

problem #16

Oct 012017

Aura

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving 35 mph, the speed increased to 38 mph. While driving 40 mph, the speed increased to 43 mph. The failures occurred independently. In addition, the headlight bulbs failed prematurely and had to be replaced every four months. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

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problem #15

Mar 102019

Aura

  • 120,000 miles
My problem started with a left turn blinker, it wouldn't turn on and stay fixed. I have to hold it down. And if I would turn right it would stay down but when turn completed it wont go back up. Then when I start the car I hear it working extra hard and I hear electrical sound in steering wheel when stationed...sensors on tire pressure was changed on the right...a year ago...but all tire pressure sensors still doesn't show pressure correctly. When breaking the wheel shaking badly after alignment.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #14

Jan 022019

Aura

  • miles

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

Taka recall the head lights keep going out keep having to replace them nothing will be wrong with the bulbs but it constantly keeps going out

- Burbank, IL, USA

problem #13

Dec 072016

Aura 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
I bought my 2009 Saturn Aura in September of 2015. Just recently in December of 2016, whenever I started the vehicle, the steering wheel would begin to vibrate followed by the power steering warning light illuminating. Upon driving the vehicle, the power steering goes completely out at anytime.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #12

Jun 012016

Aura

  • 62,500 miles
I own a 2009 Saturn Aura. Last year, it was recalled due to a fault with a break light malfunction, causing the break lights to remain illuminated at all times. I took my Saturn in to my local GM technician to have the issue addressed at that time. Unfortunately, the issue has retuned to my vehicle within the last month, and my brake lights are constantly on while I'm driving the car, unless I actually use the break pedal, at which point, they go off. I am at odds with my local GM shop as to looking at this issue again (as it was a safety recall), and I'm hoping I can get some kind of authorization or voucher to perform this service again to take care of this already-recalled issue. GM would like to charge me to perform a service diagnostic test, and cannot guarantee that the original terms of the recall would be honored. I don't feel it is right to spend money on a vehicle safety issue (under a recall, no less) considering that GM has already recalled my car once and this is the same problem I had in the past which prompted the original recall in the first place. It is dangerous to drive my car in its current condition, and I believe unfair for GM to take advantage of treating this repeat issue as a "new" issue. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #11

May 252016

Aura

  • 74,000 miles
Brake lights illuminate without brake pedal being depressed, and do not illuminate when brake pedal is depressed while driving. Service traction, service erc, and ESC off warnings appear on dashboard. NHTSA campaign # 14V252000, GM recall # 13036 was not applied to my VIN even though my manufacture date is 12/08, within the specifications of said recall.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 232016

Aura

  • miles

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

The right low beam light went out, tried to replace it and found out that this is impossible to replace by the owner. It requires removing the front bumper and special tools over $300 at the dealer to replace a headlamp. Meanwhile one light. Having headlights is a safety issue! also the driver side seat frame broke under normal use and can no longer be adjusted

- Mtka., MN, USA

problem #9

Jul 142014

Aura

  • 20 miles
The rear lights fail without warning. It blows a fuse (10 amp #6 position) intermittently. Front lights are not affected, so driver has no idea when their back lights are out. I have nearly been rear-ended at high rates of speed. This car has been in a repair shop 10 times in the last year. Everyone agrees there's a serious safety problem, but I cannot afford to offer an open check for them to go through the entire electrical system. Therefore, I am only able to drive in the daylight hours.

- Providence, UT, USA

problem #8

Aug 012013

Aura

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While operating the vehicle, the low beam headlights would not operate and the power door locks would lock and unlock with and without the keys being in the ignition. In addition, the doors would not unlock from the inside, entrapping the occupants. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #7

Sep 012014

Aura 4-cyl

  • 132,980 miles
While driving to orlando with my kids at 9:03 pm last night, I nearly got rear ended on I4 East. I was a lil puzzled to why someone would flying toward my car as if I was a target, until the driver of that vehicle pulled up aside of me, screaming out "turn on your lights." I immediately looked at my headlights and yelled my lights are on. Still a little confused, I pulled the car over, only to notice that my taillights weren't on. This morning the lights were on, now tonight they don't work I replaced the bulbs and, they don't work either. My car has had quite a few electrical problems, and a traction recall that had been repaired in 2010. I found out today that my car has been recalled for the same exact problem. I had to drive home tonight with my hazard lights on. What can I do" and how am I going to get around at night"

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #6

Apr 242014

Aura 4-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
Turn signals do not automatically turn off after making a turn. Took it to a dealer and they said that the steering wheel would have to be taken off and the turn signal stalk would have to be replaced. That would cost $600. Is a recall expected for this defect.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #5

Apr 232014

Aura 4-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
Front seat passenger observed that the passenger air bag light on the dash was indicating off. It remains off when the car is running. Both turn signal lights will not automatically turn off when the turn is completed. Took it to the dealer where I bought the car and he said, without investigating, that the steering wheel would have to be taken off and the turn signal stalk replaced which he estimated would cost $600. I am retired from G.M. and can't afford that. Is there a recall in the future for these defects.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #4

Nov 012013

Aura 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
This has been an ongoing issue for this vehicle, originally started over a year ago but happened very rarely, now it is happening nearly every time the vehicle is driven. Occasionally the brake lights will turn on and stay on. This disables the cruise control. While the lights stay on if the brake pedal is depressed the brake lights flash off and turn back on, remaining on. The electronic stability control light flashes or remains illuminated while the problem persists. Randomly the issue will resolve itself while driving. Turning off the vehicle and turning back on does not always fix the brake light issue.

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #3

Sep 282013

Aura

  • 81,000 miles
I own a 2009 Saturn Aura xr. My brake lights stay engaged while in motion but disengage when I stop. Tapping the brakes will turn the brake light off briefly while in motion but it will come back on within seconds. Rear drivers cannot determine when I'm stopping using the brake light as an indicator. My cruise control no longer works which I'm told is also tied to the brake lights. The ESC warning light comes on frequently and will disengage. The only remedy I've found for this has been turning the car off on. I've sometimes had to do this 5 times within a 20 minute drive. The check engine light in the recent past would go off and on unwarranted but as of late just stays on.

- Country Club Hills, IL, USA

problem #2

May 012013

Aura

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the brake lights illuminated without the contact depressing the brake pedal. The contact had to slightly touch the pedal to turn off the brake lights. The failure recurred frequently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the front brakes but refused to inspect the brake lights. The failure was not corrected. The failure was not reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 68,000. The current mileage was 69,800.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #1

Jul 182012

Aura 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
Brake lights work opposite of expected. That is: They are on when accelerating and go off when braking!! this is very dangerous. I have had it to GM dealership 3 times and they say it drove fine, and charged me a diagnostic fee. Granted traction control light only goes on sporadically to cause this mess which also causes cruise control to not work. Just because Saturn is no longer a car maker, there seems to be a cover-up by GM to ignore this problem. Yet the employees get $6,000. Bonus checks. To only have 212 of these complaints is the tip of the iceberg. The web blogs are loaded with these complaints and no quick fix of conductor jell to help corrosion will fix the chip that has gone dangerously wrong. This is an accident waiting to happen in detroit rush hour commutes each day when brake lights are reversed! please help me. I think it is unethical to sell the "as is" to someone uninformed, so yet I keep driving it each day. Note that very often I get yelled at in car washes to get off my brake due to this reversal error in brake lighting. They will verify my problem even though GM will not.

- New Hudson, MI, USA

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