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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,156 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 lights problems

lights problem

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2008 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

Feb 132014

Aura

  • 102,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph at night time, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Amity , AR, USA

problem #21

Oct 192013

Aura 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
It's hard to drive my car now the brakes power steering and light has to be changed frequently.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #20

Jan 012014

Aura

  • 50,000 miles
This is an issue I experience a couple years ago and discussed this with the dealer. It has since returned and is getting worse. Rear brake lights are on while the car is driving and in neutral although the brake pedal is not depressed. Cruise control will not function once the break light turns on. When the pedal is pressed lightly and the breaks engage slowly, the break lights will turn off. Upon moderate to heavy breaking the lights will then turn back on. This is a significant safety issue. Upon releasing the breaks I will have approx. 7 seconds where I can use the cruise control and the break lights are off before the lights turn on again and disengages the cruise control. During that 7 seconds light breaking will still not turn on the break lights. This issue is intermittent but is appearing more regularly. During a recent 40 mile trip I could use the cruise control for a couple miles, then loose it for a couple more with the brake lights on, then regain normal functionality for a couple more, etc.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

problem #19

Oct 062012

Aura 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

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

First was door locks kept locking by itself resulting in dead battery. 2nd was traction light coming on at a stop light. 3rd was car alarm goes off when its not set. Most recently ESC active came on during light acceleration merging into traffic car would not get up to speed very nearly causing being rear ended by a semi. This happened 3 times luckily no one was killed. 5th the radio turns volume down by itself and you can hear computer or something electrical in dash. Dealer says no codes present. There may not be a code but all this is happening. Please help before someone is hurt or killed.

- Iva, SC, USA

problem #18

Oct 182013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 102,500 miles
Brake lights come on when peddle is not pressed, also the cuts the cruise off without warning.

- Empire, CO, USA

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problem #17

Oct 132013

Aura 4-cyl

  • 63,275 miles
Rear brake lights were on when vehicle was driving although the brake pedal was not depressed. When the brake pedal was pressed lightly, the brake lights went off, and then if more pressure was applied to the brakes they would come on again. Problem appeared to be intermittent but was observed regularly. Vehicle was taken to dealership and service technician performed tsb fix, which was to lubricate BCM connector with dielectric lube and relearn brake pedal position sensor in BCM. Vehicle tested ok after repair. ***note*** this vehicle was involved in a low speed rear end collision in September 2012 where the other driver hit the rear of this car as several cars were braking for a stop light. It is very possible that this problem has been occurring for some time and that this problem contributed to the earlier accident.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #16

Oct 082013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles

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

I was followed by a passerby to my work parking lot notifying me that the for the 8 miles they were behind me on the highway my brake lights were on. The next morning I noticed it again, could see through my rear view mirror that my brake light was illuminated. I pulled over to the side of the road, put my car in park and the break light remained on. I applied my brake foot pedal and the light turned off until I had the pedal to the floor, after I pulled my foot off the brake the brake light went back on. I verified that my parking brake was not engaged. This issue is not continuous to the point that it happens every time I drive my car but intermittent. The times I notice it are in the morning, most likely because I can see the light illuminate at that time of the day. The temperature those mornings were around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I have also noticed that when this issue is occurring my cruise control does not work, which makes sense considering my car thinks I am applying the brake. I have an appointment scheduled with my dealership to take a look at the issue and have also called GM. From the investigation I have done online I see that you were investigating this issue and I hope that you are continuing. I currently do not feel safe in this car and will be borrowing a friends vehicle for my daily commute until my scheduled appointment.

- Grafton, OH, USA

problem #15

Jul 312012

Aura

  • 75,000 miles
At first, my 08 Saturn Aura's drivers seat stopped working, and I could no longer move it. I assumed the fuse was out, so I replaced it. Within one day, my seat stopped working again. I went to someone and they suggested I try a fuse with a higher voltage. They placed the fuse for me and my seat worked for a moment and then blew the fuse. I couldn't afford to take my car to the dealer and have them run a diagnostic, so I decided to deal with my seat not being able to move. A couple months after the first incident, the backseat door behind the drivers side would not unlock or lock every time by pressing the unlock button. Then, the driver's door stopped locking and unlocking. So every time I get out of my car and hit the button to lock my doors, I have to push the actual lock down on the driver's door, and then I have to open the back door and push that lock down. The most recent incident is the driver's side headlight and blinker. When my blinker and headlight first went out I did not think much of it, so I replaced the bulbs. A day or two later, the blinker and headlight were out again. I replaced the bulbs a second time, because I thought it may have just been a bad product I bought. The blinker and headlight worked again and then stopped a day later. Some mornings I get lucky and my doors will unlock or lock and sometimes my blinker and headlight will work, but by the time I get to where I am going they will stop working again. This is all very frustrating because something is always going wrong on this car. I am terrified one day something else on the driver's side like the steering wheel or the brakes will go out and could cost me my life.

- Clinton, MS, USA

problem #14

Jul 242013

Aura

  • 32,426 miles
I had the recall fixed last year. I have already replaced rotors and control arm on this vehicle. I traded in a Saturn that I loved on this Saturn. I bought it new from the dealer but now my interior lights dim my front speakers in the doors come on and off on there own and the back door locks will not unlock right now I can pull the lock up to unlock it but I am worried that there is a short in the wires that may cause a fire I have small children in the backseat if there were a fire I am worried the time it would take to get them out. It is going to cost alot to take to the shop to have the panels taken apart to look for a loose wire. And still my not find the wire. Moved since I bought it so I am now trying to find someone to fix the problem hoping someone who has had this problem can tell me what it is so I can tell a shop. I love my car but not at my children's expense. I have seen the other complaints shown on this site. Need help!!!!

- Van Lear, KY, USA

problem #13

Aug 172013

Aura 4-cyl

  • 85,400 miles
My brake lights were illuminating like the brake pedal was being depressed; however, the brake pedal was not being depressed. When I did depress the brake pedal, the brake lights would go off completely. Then, after approximately 10 seconds, they would come back on like they were being depressed. Also, the cruise control was not working. It would not set and hold the car at a specific speed.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #12

Aug 052013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

There is some sort of short in the electrical system. The cruise control is randomly disabled, any the brake lights are functioning backwards. They are on when not pressing the brakes, then go off when pressing the brakes. A few miles down the road, and the my cruise works again and the brake lights go back to normal. A few more miles, and the issues return. This is definitely some sort of electrical short. I just hope it doesn't wind up in an electrical fire. There are several reports of the same issue. Other complaints with the same/similar issues: NHTSA id number: 10535189 NHTSA id number: 10533881 NHTSA id number: 10525153 NHTSA id number: 10515803 NHTSA id number: 10508189

- Owosso, MI, USA

problem #11

Jun 202012

Aura

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving on the highway with my cruise engaged. When all of a sudden, my cruise turned off. I look in my rear view mirror and I saw my third brake lights on. That's when I found out that my back brake lights come on randomly when I drive. When I use my brake pedals than my brake lights turn off. And when I accelerate, my brake lights turn on. I need some help. I have a 6months old in the car and I feel this could get us into an accident.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #10

Jun 032013

Aura 4-cyl

  • 44,562 miles
Noticed that the brake lights stay illuminated all the time regardless of brake pedal position.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #9

Apr 192013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 77,600 miles
First, let me start by saying that I traded-in for my 2008 Saturn Aura in April 2011. Since that time, I have had continuous problems with the car. Today, my car is in the shop to fix the brake lights, cruise control, and traction/ESC. Brake lights: On my way home Friday, a concerned citizen had me role down my window en route to tell me that my brake lights stay on the entire time I am driving. After this warning, I did some investigation - sure enough, the lights engage when the brake is not being pushed. Worse yet, the brake lights go off when the brake is pushed. Thank goodness for the person who alerted me to this. Truthfully, I am lucky that I did not get rear-ended or get a ticket. I truly hope the brake light issue is recalled because it is very dangerous. Cruise control: My cruise control does not work all the time. Sometimes it works; sometimes it engages then randomly disengages; sometimes it just plain does engage at all. I can live without cruise control; however, I really don't think this should be happening, as the vehicle is not that old and is very well maintained. Traction/ESC: Occasionally, my dash will display a warning that says "service traction, service ESC, ESC off." It doesn't do this everyday. It just displays the warning at random times - I cannot distinguish a pattern. Overall, I am very displeased with how this vehicle functions. Not only does it cost me money to fix, it takes time out of my day - I get paid hourly at my job. My main concern is the brakes lights, as someone could get seriously hurt, and the problem is very difficult to detect unless another motorist warns you or you do night driving (which I do not). Thank you for hearing me out - I really appreciate it!

- Gibsonburg, OH, USA

problem #8

Apr 112013

Aura 6-cyl

  • 78,500 miles
This is my second complaint on here for the same brake light issue. I had trouble with my car brake lights working backwards (on when driving, off when braking) about two years ago, had them fixed and they worked for about eight months and then stopped working again. I took them to a certified GM service station on 4/5/2013 to have them fixed for the second time. I picked up my car from said repairs on 4/8/2013 to only find that on 4/11/13 the brake lights were working backwards again. I took my vehicle back to the same GM service station to have them re-re-repaired on 4/13/13 and picked the car up the same day. On 4/14/13 I am having the same problem with the lights working backwards less than 24 hours after they were supposed to be fixed for the 3rd time! so I will take my car back to the GM center on 4/15/15 to have the brake lights re-re-re-re repaired. The certified service center closest to me is about 30 miles away so everytime I go to get them fixed two vehicles have to drive the round trip (1 vehicle twice and my vehicle once). It is ridiculous to have to pay the exorbitant gas prices because the people at GM are apparently icopatent (which has been corroborated by there inability to make a safety related repair) the us government must force GM to recall the vehicles affected by these faulty break lights and force them to find a solution that will fix the potential dangerous problem. The thing irritating me most is that they are not even trying to find a problem that will actualy correct the faulty equipment. At this point I will even be willing to pay for the repairs if they will just find a permenant solution! signed, very upset with the quality of american made vehicles!

- Hawesville, KY, USA

problem #7

Apr 092013

Aura 4-cyl

  • 63,893 miles
I purchased my 2008 Saturn Aura in May 2012. I started noticing that my brake light in rear window would come on by itself without braking and would stay on for periods of time. A T first it didn't bother me, but lately it has become frequent. The light would come on and stay on even when cranking the car up. It also comes on while driving, doesn't matter the speed limit it still comes on and stays on for a period of time. It is very misleading because in the middle of flowing traffic the light will come on giving the driver behind me the impression that I am breaking. Also when the light is illuminated, cruise control does not work. I am very concerned for my safety and others safety at this point because it happens so frequently and I have had a driver to become very irate with me because of my brake light coming on giving the impression that I am braking. I am hoping that this issue be thoroughly investigated. Thank you

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #6

Oct 072011

Aura 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
About two years ago I noticed intermittent issues with my brake lights. They would be on when I was not pushing the brake, and then they would turn off when I applied pressure to the brake. I got this problem corrected at a certified GM service center. To my knowledge (without the repair report available) they applied grease to a part of the vehicle as described in the service bulletin. That worked for about eight months and now I am having the same problem again with my brake lights, so clearly the service bulletin issued by GM is not correcting the problem. Due to my inability to pay to get this fixed and the major safety concern it possesses if driven I have left it parked in my driveway for about two months, which in turn has left me with battery issues. I am scheduling service to be done on the car today, because I can no longer go without a vehicle, but GM needs to recall the vehicles which are having problems with brake lights. This is a major safety concern that could result in serious wrecks. I have had several close calls due to this issue and after said close calls stopped driving my vehicle.

- Hawesville, KY, USA

problem #5

Jul 272011

Aura 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
The brake lights illuminate randomly during the operation of the vehicle. I will be driving on the highway at night and can see a reflection in my rearview mirror that my top brake light is illuminated for a majority of the trip and cars behind me believe that I am braking and will try to speed up past me despite my car traveling at the speed limit. Additionally, when the brake lights come on, it disengages the cruise control feature as the car tends to believe that I am braking. I bought the car in may, 2011, started noticing that the cruise control feature stopped working but didn't think much of it. Then a friend was driving behind me and asked why I was braking the entire time we were driving. I brought it to the original dealership where it was purchased in July 2011 and brought it back on two separate occasions. The dealership could not repair it thinking it was a brakelight switch, then they tried to replace the cruise control. I then brought it to a GM dealership in August 2011 and they repaired it. The repair lasted for about a year, until it started occurring again in Sept. 2012. I brought it to a local repair shop and their repairs lasted until February 2013 when it started happening again. I am unsure who to take it to because I do not want to have to pay for this a third time for an issue that never seems to be fixed and makes me feel unsafe on the road.

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #4

Mar 122013

Aura

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated independently without the brakes being engaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. As a precaution, the mechanic replaced the brake switch however, the remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Auburn , MA, USA

problem #3

Nov 062012

Aura

  • 95,000 miles
I have a 2008 Saturn Aura xe. While driving, I noticed that occasionally the brake lights (all 3) would illuminate when the brake pedal was not pressed and they would occasionally not illuminate when the brake pedal was pressed.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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