NHTSA — Unknown Or Other Problems

2008 Saturn Aura (Page 1 of 2)

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:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
179,258 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2008 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Mar 082023

Aura

  • miles

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

Stuck in drive something to do with the Shifter cable have to use the emergency brake to stop the car and if shut off it wont start back

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #25

Apr 112022

Aura

  • miles
My ABS, traction control service, and ESC service warning lights came on everytime i started my car for about a week and they kept shutting themselves off and on every now and again. Now none of those service lights come across my dashboard and none of my fuses are bad. I found a recall for my car, that applies to my vehicle but its not showing up when i put in my VIN number.

- Princeton, IL, USA

problem #24

Jan 162020

Aura

  • miles
Head light stopped working then when I tried to start car again would turn over try or anything starter was checked battery and alternator checked if it ever cranks can't turn off or it won't crank again for 2 plus hours checked relays seems as if it may be wire shortened out when won't crank

- Swainsboro, GA, USA

problem #23

Nov 292019

Aura

  • miles

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

Ets or etc comes on randomly when it's wet and rainy traction control comes on constantly brakes are sticking trouble shifting gears power steering locked up has to have the power steering pump changed I recently bought this 08 Aura and approximately 1month of having it the front passenger wheel broke off including control arm throwing myself in the car into the other lane of traffic almost causing an accident very terrifying also when the power steering pump went out and it broke the serpentine belt had to have that changed along with power steering pump oil leak low tire pressure checked light constantly on traction control light comes on and off constantly ectecs light comes on constantly bakhtar spend constantly when trying to go uphill like there is no traction when parking brake is applied all wheel steel spin as if the brake is not applied brake rotors and brake pads where wear out very often back brake caliber problems transmission seeming to slip years rpms are fluctuating core having problems exhilarating in the previous boxes to check axing what was wrong with the vehicle I was only allowed to pick three I have more than three to complain about suspension steering wheels ABS system ABS light comes on and off constantly every day fuel system and lighting lights come on by there self brake lights do not work or work when they want to fuel system is burning a lot of gas for no reason no acceleration from stop rpms fluctuating dashboard lights cut on and off cruise will not disengage tire sensor light comes on constantly every day all day

- Bunkie, LA, USA

problem #22

May 132019

Aura

  • 82,000 miles
Failure of the wave plate. My vehicle has only 82,000 miles and the wave plate is failing. I'm unable to reverse and the gears shift while driving. This is a known issue in GM cars and they refuse to repair. Unfortunately, a single special bulletin was sent out and my vehicle met the criteria for mileage but was 5 months pass the 10 year mark. Since this is a known issue all vehicles should be recalled and a fix should be implemented or a reimbursement provided to others due to their negligence in design. This is a safety issue and causes the vehicle to do hard shifts while driving. My son, 16 years old, was driving and due to his inexperience he could have had an accident because the vehicle became difficult to drive.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

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problem #21

Jan 192019

Aura

  • 155,000 miles
I would not even fill out this form if the things I am about to write down did not happen at such an unexplained and with extreme progression. The car started off with just a wobble and a jerk. Which now has progressed to the traction light popping on and off; the car sways from side to side so dangerously it is now almost not drivable; the passenger side tire has started to flatten and wear and tear very fast, even after getting brand new tires, now all of the tires are starting the same wear and tear; when accelerating it starts to jerk and lock up not going over a certain speed limit even if you floor the pedal until it lurches forward; the break lights were also staying on and then turning off when we pressed the brakes, we got that fixed at the dealership though; the car is completely falling apart; we took the batteries out of the key chains and the car door still lock and unlock by themselves; the steering wheel doesn't seemed to be aligned or straight. Like if if you want to keep the wheel somewhat straight (a straight line is now almost impossible with this car) then you have to angle it kind of the left. Its so dangerous now to drive this car. The whole thing fell apart at once.and all of these problems happen while moving. While the car is in parked and also while its turned completely off. That only with the locks unlocking and locking. And the speeds at which im going when the other problems are happening are no more than 35 miles per hour.;' I know that we take very good care of the car and have all the service reports. Something is not right with my car.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

problem #20

Mar 112019

Aura

  • 146,000 miles

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

No air bad deployment at all. My 21 year old son was killed. Ignition keeped cutting off

- London, KY, USA

problem #19

Feb 252019

Aura

  • 115,000 miles
Transmission jumps from 1st to 2nd gear and will not accelerate.

- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

problem #18

Nov 152018

Aura

  • miles
Power steering, traction control, power inside car comes on and off

- Wabash, IN, USA

problem #17

Jun 152018

Aura

  • 1,640,000 miles
I took my vehicle in for an "electric power steering assist" recall. Drove it there, but had to tow it off because the shift cable broke. It will not shift into any gear, just stuck in drive. Also wont start now I assume because it wont go in park. The lock buttons/ windows dont work either

- Metamora, MI, USA

problem #16

Nov 032018

Aura

  • 97,000 miles

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

When I shut the front driver or passenger side door they won't stay shut. This only happens if you open the door from the inside. It started with the driver side door first now its both front doors. To get it to shut you have to oil the outside handle like your going to open the door. This is very unsafe!!!! sometimes also the doors won't unlock with the car in park or if I turn the car off.

- Port Jervis, NY, USA

problem #15

Aug 022018

Aura

  • 74,000 miles
In parking lot. Started car, put in reverse. Felt like it wasn't going to stop. Then gear shift went loosely back and forth. Had it towed and repaired. Said it was a clip came off. Repaired transmission cable.

- Orange, VA, USA

problem #14

May 082018

Aura

  • 50 miles
My tire problem

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 032018

Aura 6-cyl

  • 0 miles
Broken gear shifts. Put car in reverse to park and car shut off gear shift went loosely back and forth. Car rolled back on it's own potentially causing an accident. Gear shift broken. Car engine would not start. I put key in ignition and it lit up dashboard and windows let up and down but vehicle didn't move.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #12

Jan 262018

Aura

  • 151,160 miles
I am 80 years old and everybody is trying to get my hard earned money. Yesterday January 26, 2018, I bought a 2008 Saturn Aura. When I got home and took time to go through the paperwork. I found information about 2 recalls. I checked the net and found two more. Some of these make the car unsafe to drive. I need help that will help me return this car to the car lot I bought it from. I E-mailed both the local auto nation car dealer and general motor headquarters in detroit Michigan. GM may not fix the care since some of these recalls go back to 2012.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #11

Jul 162017

Aura

  • 157,000 miles
While my daughter was driving on a city street utica road and gratiot in roseville mi the engine shut off without any warning. Luckily no one was behind the car when it shut off or on the freeway at the time or it could have been a bad situation or accident. The car would not start back up just clicking in ignition when turning key in the ignition. Had to call for a tow at 10pm. Shop said something went wrong with timing chain and compression test showed no compression in cylinder 4 possibly bent valves. I recently received a letter from GM regarding a condition when increased resistance in the body control module resulting in voltage fluctuations or intermittency in the brake apply sensor dated March 2017.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #10

Apr 072017

Aura

  • miles
My trunk button only works on occasions and 2 of my door won't lock or unlock if it's hot outside. If it's cold all my doors work. It's crazy! I have to walk around my car locking all my doors. Although locked or not the alarm will go off. I have had to change my water pump 2 times in this car. I took it in for brakes & they're saying it needs to be changed again! there's no way I should be doing this. The water pump was changed twice by an actual dealership. This car has serious issues especially in the heat!

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #9

Jan 222017

Aura

  • 296,000 miles
The vehicle will not shift into gears properly. When the gear is placed in park, the vehicle will roll in reverse, and, trying to place it in drive takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Once its in drive slot, the vehicle will not not go forward.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #8

Mar 062016

Aura

  • 1,250,000 miles
Front drivers door and front passengers door will not unlock in any way, the door will not open from the inside handle or outside handles. The manual lock can be toggled, the key fob moves the locks it up down and the electronic unlock button inside works but the doors won't open. You have to climb into the back of the car and out the rear doors. I see this is a very popular issue on car forums and wonder if it should be a recall and GM should be held accountable.

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

problem #7

Oct 062014

Aura

  • 50,000 miles
My husband was alone driving, was early a.M. when a coyote ran out on country road. He has had this many times before having lived in the area over 60+ yrs. He was in 2 lane road, he went to brake and swerved when he said the car became unable to control, he hit the burn on side of road flipping car numerous times ending upside down. He was stuck in seat belt unable to get loose for 15 min finally getting out of it. He was seen by drs @ hospital and released with bruised ribs, cuts and abrasions. When I talked to him on phone later he relates what had happened also saying "it seemed like the car had a mind of its own, it wouldn' T steer or brake right." I told him to rest and I would talk to him later. That was the last time I ever talked to him, as he died of the blunt force trama from that accident, that was Oct 7, 2014. I believe his vehicle is to blame for this accident, as I know what kind of driver he is, off road, around our rural area animals are always jumping out on the road, and he never has had a accident. He doesn't panic, he knows how to drive off road, and have raced in score off road functions in he younger days. He was an excellent driver, driving others, because he didn't drink, and was very safe in driving.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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