10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,290 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 4 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #138

Feb 072019

Aura

  • 125,000 miles

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

The power steering in this vehicle randomly and without warning malfunctions. Initially, the problem occurred very sporadically, and only when the vehicle was first started up and still in park. Turning the vehicle off, and then back on remedied the issue. However, the vehicle will now lose power steering while driving, causing the vehicle to be very difficult to steer. So far, it has only happened at low speeds, typically when I begin driving after stopping at a stop sign, red light etc. When it occurs, it takes extreme effort to pull the car over to the shoulder. It's as if the steering wheel is locked. Once pulled over, restarting the vehicle resolves the issue, although sometimes it takes several restarts. This is a dangerous situation that now happens daily. I was told that my 2009 Saturn Aura was not a part of the 2014 recalls that addressed this issue. I did not own the vehicle in 2014, so I cannot verify if the previous owner received any recall notifications. Because this is a common complaint, I believe that a recall should be issued for all 2009 Saturn Auras.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #137

Jan 312019

Aura

  • 75,000 miles
Vehicle steering locked up while in motion on a city street. After parking and restarting again the steering functioned, came to find out that this model has an electric steering system and does not permit steering fluid to be added.

- Belmont, NC, USA

problem #136

Jan 212019

Aura

  • 95,000 miles
My [xxx] daughter was driving her car and the steering went out. Her car has had the electric stability control turn on and the vehicle shut off in the middle of driving. This car is a huge hazard. I have never been notified of the recalls issued back in 2012 and 2014 regarding these issues and now no one will address them or fix them as they are expired.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #135

Jan 252019

Aura

  • 75,300 miles

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

Was driving down tollway (I-294) in rosemont Illinois and started to exit at balmoral when I had a total loss of steering. It took extreme effort to steer car up the ramp at 30 mph. It felt like the steering wheel was stuck and you could only turn it about 45 degrees max in either direction. I managed to drive it home on side roads for several miles while constantly fighting to maintain control. It seemed to lock-up every time I turned a corner. When turning left, you would wind up on the right lane after completing the turn. You could not make a tight turn with the vehicle! several cars had to swerve around me as I was turning! the dashboard indicated the following "power steering/service ESC" when I got it in the garage at home, I shut engine off and then restarted. The problem seemed to go away. This is a very scary situation and I have read that GM recalled certain 2009 Saturn Auras for this problem. When I checked my VIN, no recalls were seen. I feel that this is a very dangerous vehicle to operate.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #134

Jan 112019

Aura

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning indicator illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to mcgrath Buick GMC Cadillac (located at 1040 N center point rd, hiawatha, ia 52233, (319) 393-3300). The dealer stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering), which was associated with the vehicle, had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

- Cedar Rapid, IA, USA

problem #133

Jan 172018

Aura

  • 199,800 miles
While driving down a city street, the traction light indicator lit up and the dashboard flashed 'ESC off' and 'traction off' and the steering wheel locked up. It was very difficult to steer my car into a parking lot and out of the heavy flow of traffic.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #132

Jan 092019

Aura

  • 250,000 miles

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

As I was driving to work on 11/12/2019 at 6pm est, on the freeway when my steering wheel began to shake and then became stiff and hard to steer. The dashboard started dinging and the service ESC came across. I came up to the nearest exist and had a hard time trying to pull up into a parking area to see what was wrong with my car. I turned the car off waited a few minutes then proceeded to restart my car to see what will happen. The steering wheel was no longer stiff so I proceeded to get back on the freeway to head to work again. After no more than 10 minutes of driving my car did the exact same thing over again. So, I pulled up off of the freeway to try and see if I shut it off will it work again. This time it did not reset itself, so I decided to drive back home with the steering out and being hard to drive cause it was dark and late out and I did not want to chance being on the road somewhere by myself. September 2017 when I purchased the car until that day on November 12, 2018, my car had been running great and had no steering issues or concerns. When I spoke with a GMC dealer I was made aware that this make and model has many recalls including a recall with the same issues my car was having but that when looking up my VIN # it does not show that my car was part of the recall to be fixed. My car is having the same exact issues as the exact same make and model of my car and I need some assistance. I have gotten parts fixed on my car to see if it will fix the issue but nothing has worked and it is now January 9, 2019 and I still have no power steering and I have to work as well as provide transportation for my four children.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #131

Jan 092019

Aura

  • 192,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving 25 mph, the contact lost control of the steering and it required excessive force to maneuver. The contact turned into a vacant parking lot and turned off the vehicle. When the vehicle was restarted, the steering returned to normal and "service ESC" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to george white Chevrolet (1719 S high ave, ames, ia 50010, (515) 233-2211), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 192,000.

- Nevada, IA, USA

problem #130

Dec 052018

Aura

  • 225,000 miles
While driving my daughter to school, I made a left turn into the school parking lot at a low rate of speed and steering went out. Power steering light illuminated and dash reads service ESC. Very difficult to steer. Turned car off and went to crank again...steering restored, indicator went off.

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #129

Nov 112018

Aura

  • 128,920 miles
Power steering stops working sometimes while driving on various roadways making steering almost impossible. Have found that shutting it off and restarting resets it, but this is not always possible in many situations. The limited frequency of it makes it tough to duplicate for dealership and while this is a known problem and recall for other GM vehicles, we were told our car is not on the list. Has happened for past two years. Date and information below was the most recent incident.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

problem #128

Oct 242018

Aura

  • 160,000 miles

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

While operating vehicle electric power steering stops functioning and makes it very difficult to steer vehicle. Problem happens with no warning get error message on dash but issue has already occured. This issue seems very common and is very dangerous. GM has a recall for this exact issue but does not apply to my vehicle.

- Ham Lake, MN, USA

problem #127

Oct 072018

Aura

  • 92,850 miles
With engine on, steering wheel slowly oscillates. When driving, steering wheel will 'kick' left or right suddenly, and I have to hold wheel tightly to keep car in straight line. Several times while turning, I lost power steering completely and I had to use force to maintain control.

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #126

Oct 132018

Aura

  • 64,467 miles
At 64,467 miles, while driving about 45 mph jerking of steering wheel occurred and power steering warning came on. Went off again. Keeps happening as tho it is shorting out while driving both at low speeds of 20 mph to 55 mph. Afraid to drive the vehicle now. Electrical steering motor is shorting out. Have not yet had repaired. Fear this car will cause serious harm, injury up to and possibly death if I continue to drive it.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #125

Jul 202018

Aura

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering motor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #124

Jul 182018

Aura

  • 94,000 miles
2009 Saturn Aura stationary shows messages "service traction, ESC off, service ESC" constantly on the gauge cluster. Alongside the messages the ABS light and the ESC off icon is constantly on in the gauge cluster. When the vehicle was driven the message "pwr str" referring to power steering showed on the gauge cluster then disappears. Upon researching these issues, I have found that NHTSA and GM have issued recalls and tsbs regarding these issues, however the VIN for my vehicle does not show its under recall. I suspect this may be the case of vins not included in the recall system. NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000, 14E044000, 14V153000, 14V252000, I have contacted GM and was told my vehicle is not covered under recall and must be taken to a dealer for diagnostics under case number 8-440138641. I will take it to the dealer for the vehicle to be diagnosed, however in the case the vehicle is involved in an accident due to the ESC and power steering. I want NHTSA to have a record on file of these issues as a precautionary measure.

- Framingham, MA, USA

problem #123

Jul 022018

Aura

  • 108,000 miles
When turning left steering becomes stuck in the turning position and is almost like a jerking and not returning to a straight position. While making a left from a left turn signal on a city street.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #122

Apr 082017

Aura

  • 60 miles
The sec, and power steering light comes on with dinging noises.

- Smiths Grove, KY, USA

problem #121

May 222018

Aura

  • 140,000 miles
When I am travelling at slow speeds the power steering often doesn't work. This has almost caused me to get into a few accidents. It is very dangerous. It seems that a recall was issued for my vehicle for this problem, but when I put in my VIN it says that there are no recalls.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #120

Apr 162018

Aura

  • 180,000 miles
180,000 mi power steering warning light illuminated briefly during straight highway driving. Consulted GM dealer, said fix would take a while due to parts shortage.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

problem #119

Feb 062018

Aura

  • 150,000 miles
No power steering when starting the car

- Campton, NH, USA

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