CarComplaints.com Notes: The Saturn Aura was a mid-size car meant to replace the somewhat problematic L-Series. Unfortunately, the Aura brought its own problems: namely cheap brake parts that needed early replacement and a gear shifter that could say it’s in park while the transmission was still engaged.

Brake problems, including uneven wear and warped rotors that cause the car to wobble, are common complaints from 2007 owners. Did GM use metal for its rotors that can’t stand the heat? That’s what some say, and it’s hard to argue when reports show that rotors could start to warp as early as 500 miles off the dealer lot.

Meanwhile, a busted gear shifter cable lead to some unwanted rollaways. That’s because the shifter could say “Park” while the transmission was still in drive, reverse or neutral. A defect investigation into the issue was opened in 2011, eventually leading to a recall of 56,000 vehicles in 2014.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,657 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.

2007 Saturn Aura engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Aug 072014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 133,360 miles

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

Car ran fine this morning on the way to work, which is not even 2 miles from my home.went to work and straight back no problem. Got in my car this evening to go get food started the car, check engine light came on, and my air bag light came on went to pull forward and the car was jerking and making knocking noises...

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #22

Jul 162014

Aura

  • 62,184 miles
Took car in for service at which time also requested cooling system flush, unable to have done as service dept. Found a leak at the crossover pipe which needs to be repaired once they receive the parts. I had the crossover pipe replaced and resealed in Feb. 2013 at 54233 miles. Feel that this should not continue to go out every year.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #21

May 242013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Door locks malfunction constantly locking and unlocking. Engine heat can be felt inside the car when driving causing the A/C to be used excessively waisting more gasoline. Windshield wipers wear out quickly and do not wipe water off of driver side glass well. Radio and speakers electrical malfunctioning. Lettering rubbed off on functional buttons on steering wheel and doors. Air bag light malfunction. Hood of car developed weather spots. Insulation at the top of front window worn out.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #20

May 222014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 115,300 miles

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

I arrived at driveway to my home and put the car into park. I got out of the car and closed driver door to unlock chain on gate in front of driveway. I proceeded to manually open the 25' metal gate. When the gate was almost completely open I turned towards the car and to my surprise the car was moving forward with no one in it. The car traveled approximately 15' and was stopped by a 3' diameter metal cylinder. The cars front bumper was damaged. Luckily, no persons were injured.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #19

Jun 032014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
While driving I got an engine light, then a service ESC then a service traction. I contacted onstar for a diagnostic (after I returned home). I then had it towed to a garage where the mechanic informed me that after replacing a sensor the problem still existed and was due to a stretched timing chain. He then said he thought there might have been a recall concerning this issue. I have had issues prior to this and got no satisfaction from the dealer service center in santa rosa ca. I even filed a complaint with Saturn.

- Point Arena, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 052014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 105,121 miles
I had just purchased this vehicle from a dealer and less then three hours after driving it off the lot I was in traffic in the Twin Cities and the engine gave out on me. I had braked because of a vehicle in front of me and went to accelerate and nothing happened. Luckily the vehicles behind me, on 35W, didn't hit me as I was stuck at 35mph and crawled off of the road. I do a good amount of city driving and this could have happened to me in a much worse possible scenario. I got the error codes P0700 P0776 from the engine, turns out that my wave plate broke and that this has been happening to Saturn cars for years and there hasn't been a recall. I could have easily got in a car accident and died when this happened to my vehicle. It could have easily been prevented too. I've been conned out of a lot of money by GM on this vehicle, but I'm also happy just to be alive.

- Belle Plaine, MN, USA

problem #17

Jun 272013

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My air bags go on and off every few days ! also when I think the car in park its not sometimes I have to hit the switch put in park. Check engine light been on and off since I got the car.

- Loreauville, LA, USA

problem #16

Apr 012014

Aura

  • miles
I have experienced numerous defects with my 2007 Saturn Aura xr. Since purchasing this vehicle, I have performed routine maintenance (I.e. oil changes, tire replacement, brake service, etc). However, the vehicle requires continuous repair and is frequently problematic. On 6/6/2012, the transmission was replaced with only 71,945 miles on the vehicle the vehicle does not start from time to time. I thought the battery was the cause so I went to advance auto parts where I purchased the battery. The technician performed a diagnostics test on the battery, alternator, and starter. The report showed that all three components tested normal. On 11/29/2012, (while still experiencing issues with the vehicle starting) I went back to advance auto parts and asked them to replace the battery again to see if it resolved the problem. Soon after, the vehicle continued to have trouble starting. When having the brake pads and rotors replaced, I was informed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced with 84,718 miles on the odometer - estimated over $700 to repair. There is also a malfunction with the interior controls of the vehicle. The door locks as well as the controls on the steering wheel including the horn do not operate! consequently, the dashboard displays an airbag service message. (a major safety concern) recently on April 1, 2014, the vehicle made an alarming noise when I started it. I had the vehicle towed to a local GM service center to be diagnosed. I was informed that it would be $100 for the diagnostics check. After the initial inspection, I was told that there was a problem with engine and that it would be another $200 - $300 just to remove the engine and disassemble to further investigate. My vehicle is currently not drive-able. The engine and steering issues are also documented on service bulletins related to 2007 Saturn Auras

- Vineland, NJ, USA

problem #15

Feb 242014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 85,500 miles
The check engine light was off and on for 3 weeks prior to taking the vehicle to the shop. Also, the service traction light came on the day before I took the car to be evaluated. I was told the timing chain stretched due to the manufacturer preset oil change. My car has 85, 500 miles on it and this is the first issue with the vehicle. The repair is $3000. There are numerous complaints about this same issue with other Saturn and GM vehicles.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #14

Mar 132014

Aura

  • 73,500 miles
After exiting the highway I was stopped at a red light. Upon starting to move, the vehicle stopped accelerating and the engine revved to 3000rpm at 15-20 mph. I was able to get the vehicle to a parking lot and was fortunate to not cause an accident as I was in a lot of traffic. I attempted to drive the vehicle in the parking lot under the paddle system and the vehicle would not go past the third gear. I had the car towed to my mechanic and they also noticed the car would not go into reverse. The engine light then turned on. The car has been transferred to a transmission shop who has stated the transmission needs an entire overhaul which will cost $3300-3400. They are currently repairing the vehicle. I feel there should be a recall including free repairs of this obviously defective transmission. I have read many complaints with a very similar scenario.

- Fairview Park, OH, USA

problem #13

Feb 032013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 100,100 miles

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

Oil is leaking on engine causing white smoke, smell filter inside of vehicle, but no oil on the ground.(use conventional oil) no accident since I purchase the car. Sometimes shift hard when going to next gear. Medal seen in engine oil.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #12

Jul 112013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 101,950 miles
I had never had problems with the transmission before this. Then one day I was just driving a couple of mile to the bank. On the way there, my 2007 Saturn Aura seemed to kick and I experienced some hard shifting. On the way back, I started to lose power at times and the car was having trouble shifting gears. I barely made it home and got it into park. The next day I had the car towed 5 miles to an independent mechanic who recommended transmission tear-down inspection, plus diagnostics & computer scan revealed codes P0717 - input speed sensor, P0756 - shift solenoid B performance stuck off, P0989-tpf switch 5 circuit low volume, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019 variable timing actuator, P0300 - engine misfire, P0455 evap leak, P0690 engine control, P0700 -transmission controls. I paid $650 to have 4 new speed sensor/solenoid, variable timing actuators installed, but the car wouldn't get out of 3rd gear so I had the car towed 25mi to the closest GMC Saturn/Chevy dealership for the transmission work since I was given $4K - $6K estimates for the balance of the work locally. At the dealership, they looked at it and after a week, they replaced cp $1,328.11??,internal pressure sensor solenoid failed, replaced trans control module and after paying over $1,050 of the $2,167.34 bill, they told me that the timing belt was stretched, and I needed to drive it tenderly but that it wasn't worth paying to have the chain replaced and the check engine light would remain on. I drove it home and the next morning the car still wouldn't get out of 3rd gear. I had to drive the 25 miles back to the dealer at 40mph on back roads which took 2 hours. I called GM to reduce the repair costs and finally got my car back Oct. 7, 2013 in a drivable state - check engine light was still on and shifting was rough. My problem is now I can't register my car or pass smog without spending another $2K-$5K.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 012013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 50,404 miles
At the mall, car sputtered 5-10 times before finally starting. As I was leaving mall parking lot doing 15-20mph, car suddenly loss engine power and began to shake / shutter. Dashboard console displayed reduced engine power and service traction. Car wouldn't go faster than 20-25mph. I had to take side streets to get home. Car later towed to dealer. Dealer found leaking fuel pump and throttle body cable connector loose/dirty. Tech removed connector from throttle body, cleaned it, added di-electric grease and re-connected it. Engine power regained. Fuel pump replaced at another garage due to cost at dealer. Note: This was 2nd time car was taken to same dealer with same problem. I was told it was "bad" gasoline and was charged about $86 (not including towing charge). Also told to use premium gas at another gas company. Fuel pump problem not found even when they were told about strong fuel smell coming from rear, drivers side after car sits for awhile. Asked for reimbursement from dealer owner, but it was denied.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #10

Oct 022013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 22,323 miles
Having trouble with the timing chain on my 2007 Saturn Aura with only 22,232 miles. Why wasn't there a recall for this since there seems to be a lot of complaints about this. It will cost $1200 to replace the timing chain, money I just don't have.

- Hawk Run, PA, USA

problem #9

Jul 042013

Aura

  • miles
My car was working fine after parking for 10 minutes I came back to start my car and it wouldn't start I called my mechanic and he told me that the wire for shifting of the gears was damaged the carb wouldn't go into park and would roll on its own.

- Lodi, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jun 042013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 54,615 miles
Vehicle would not turn over, towed to mechanic, timing chain determined to be at fault checked policy 11340A which references other 3.6L vehicles with the same issue - the Saturn Aura xr is not listed here, but is displaying the same issues. Vehicles covered under that policy indicate an extended warranty demonstrating knowledge of the issue, but acceptance of the full scope.

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #7

Jul 152009

Aura 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the engine rpms decreased and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions for the same failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Freemount, CA, USA

problem #6

May 082013

Aura

  • 108,000 miles
Vehicle is 6 years old had major engine failure due to timing chain failure 7000 cost to repir please help.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #5

Apr 012013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
I have had problems with this car since shortly after purchase, most of which have never been repaired even after several attempts by dealership, passenger airbag turns off even with passenger in seat, heated seats come on by themselves, I gave up on repair of those long ago, but they are minor compared other problems I any several other owners of this car as you can read at edmunds.com consumer discussions, this cannot be coincidence, traction control, water pumps, clunking in the steering column and most recently check engine light issues, which in the process of more than one mechanic/dealership trying to figure out what is wrong with this car I have paid for what I would call unnecessary repairs, finally my local dealership tells me GM has told them the timing chain is stretched, I'm assuming GM knows this because they have other vehicles some 2007 models with a timing chain recall/issues, according to a local mechanic timing chains do not need regular maint. And should last much longer than my 68000 miles, I now need a 3500$$ repair although my local dealership "sympathizes" with me they feel "things just are not made they way they used to be." Just thought I'd join the many others who feel a complaint needed to be filed with GM regarding this vehicle!!!

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #4

Jan 232013

Aura

  • 72,000 miles
I was just informed by the dealer that the timing chain on my 2007 Saturn Aura needs to be replaced. The car has only about 72,000 miles on it. This seems highly suspicious.

- Mcfarland, WI, USA

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