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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,051 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Saturn Aura Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Jul 092014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 42,776 miles

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

2008 Saturn Aura. Consumer writes in regards to body control module connection system recall notice issues. The consumer stated she experienced a problem with the traction control warning light illuminating, prior to the recall. The consumer attached the recall notice.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #45

Sep 042014

Aura

  • miles
While driving, the door locks engage and disengage repeatedly. Fuse continually blew. Had to pay for a body control module repair, only to have another BCM repair pursuant to a recall regarding the brake lights. Dealer said the repairs were distinct and would not refund for the door lock repair. Currently, the door locks still do not work as expected, as the passenger side rear door does not respond to any electrical signal to open or close.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #44

Mar 112015

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles
The body control module recall repair was completed but now the rear lights do not illuminate when the headlights are on. Although the brake lights now work as intended, there are no other lights working on the rear of the vehicle.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #43

Mar 062015

Aura 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

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

My wife was driving to work on the highway. All of the sudden the check engine light came on. The car reduced engine power. A message came up on the display saying to service the traction control. I took the vehicle to a GM dealer. They said it was the throttle body position sensor. The exact same incident happened to an acquaintance the week before in her 2012 Chevy Malibu with the dealer determining the cause to also be the throttle body position sensor. The incident in my car almost caused my wife to be rear ended due to the dramatic speed change from going into limp mode all of the sudden at highway speed.

- North Huntingdon, PA, USA

problem #42

Dec 102014

Aura 4-cyl

  • 144,043 miles
Was recalled for a electric power steering assist. Not even two months later the power steering system has completely failed. I cant even go a quarter mile down the road.it will drive a little down the road and power steering will flash on the dash and turns are almost impossible. I have to shut the vehicle off and turn it back on. This is very dangerous especially if there isn't a place to pull over without making a turn. I called GM and they told me I would have to pay out of pocket to get it fixed and they would not reimburse me for what it costs.I don't think this is right considering that this was the one thing that they were supposed to fix I cant afford to fix it. I have put over two grand in this car all within a year. Mind you this is my only car and I cant get another one. I think that GM should take some responsibility and fix this because this could cost someone their life if they aren't willing to take care of this issue.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #41

Oct 132014

Aura

  • 1,050,000 miles
After getting all the recalls on my car fixed I assumed it would stop the steering wheel of my car from moving by itself. Wrong. My steering wheel still moves by itself, happens when I'm stopped, parked, driving above 50 or below 20. The steering wheel itself feels jerky. Doesn't feel smooth or tight. I'm assuming because of the recall of the steering wheel module it somehow affected other parts of the steering but that's not a recall yet. I don't feel safe driving this car. I'm afraid to drive it especially on the highways. The problem of losing power steering might of been fixed but what about the steering shaking and moving by itself" there's other people with this problem, there's you tube videos of it. When will this be recalled" probably not until someone likes me crashes because of it.

- Spring Lake, NC, USA

problem #40

Feb 032014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles

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

Regarding recall 13036. Performed at ed bozarth Chevrolet in Nevada on 9/2/2014. Vehicle is continuing to illuminate tell-tales "service traction, service ESC, traction control off & ESC off" approximately 96% of the time while driving. Lights will go off briefly when applying brakes but come back on after coming to a complete stop. As soon as the vehicle is started, the warning lights come on with audible warning as well. I returned to the dealer & they stated the recall was performed correctly. If it was, why are theses lights still coming on? prior to the recall, the lights came on, but in a different pattern. Currently, the lights go off when the vehicle is in reverse. Any assistance or advice would be much appreciated.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #39

May 012012

Aura

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 35 mph, all four doors on the vehicle unlocked without warning. The failure occurred multiple times. The dealer stated that all four door actuators and the two front door locks needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Palo Alto , CA, USA

problem #38

Feb 032014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
On 9/2/2014 I took car to ed bozarth Chevrolet to have service on recall 13036. My car was returned with no change in the problem; "service traction control, traction control off, service ecs & ecs off" tell-tales lights were still illuminating consistently. The invoice indicated they fixed the following under the recall; 1) A06396 adh promoter, 2) 13596990 (s) clip 3) 13596991 (s) retainer 4) 15188763 (s) retainer 5) 11509086 (s) strap and "108420 campaign 13036 performed BCM & bpps harness & connector repair." The invoice indicated I declined service on "ses light and traction control diagnosis also shocks, struts, engine leak diagnosis, broken panel replacement 1064 C." the best part was they told me I needed to have my oil changed, which I personally did 3 days prior to bringing the car in! they shattered the fuse compartment cover located inside the vehicle, tried to glue it back with a blue colored glue which did not work and then indicated on the invoice I declined having the broken panel replaced at a charge of $86. All they wanted to do was sell me service which was not needed. I asked the service adviser if a blown or missing fuse could cause the tell-tales lights to illuminate and he said no. When I returned home yesterday, I looked at the fuse compartment and found one bad fuse and one missing fuse. After replacing them, the check engine light went off for the first time in over 3 months. I did still receive one "traction control service and one service ecs" light. I am going to return to dealer today to attempt to have them remedy the issues. A follow up complaint will be written in an effort to assist. Thank you.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #37

Feb 032014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
Update to complaint filed 08/04/2014; NHTSA id 10618873. Due to the fact I received a notice indicating my vehicle was involved in GM recall 13036 and my car is experiencing all of the problems as outlined in the recall, I took vehicle to a local dealer who informed me my vehicle was not included in the recall. The affected vehicles, according to the letter to you from Ms. Nancy lewis of General Motors dated May 28, 2014, 2008 Saturn vehicles manufactured from 04/24/2007 through 06/27/2008 are affected by this recall. My Saturn was manufactured in "08/07." Due to the fact the vehicle is experiencing every problem associated with the recall and it falls within the manufacture date, please outline, with specific information, why it not included in the recall. Thank you.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #36

Jul 012014

Aura

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact received recall notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and 14V153000 (steering) however, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #35

Feb 032014

Aura 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
Vehicle is involved in GM safety recall #13036. The vehicle started, intermittently, displaying traction control and ecs tell-tail lights and not displaying brake lights when brakes applied. Approximately one month ago, the warning light indicators increased. For the last two weeks, the lights flash off and on continually and consistently every single day. In addition, the traction control off and ecs off tell-tail lights display consistently, as well. The lights are so consistent, I can only check my mileage when I turn off the engine. I am never sure if my brake lights are illuminating when I apply the brakes. The sound/notification informing driver when any warning is displayed, "door ajar, seat belts not fastened, trunk open, etc.," and sound from the on star and front stereo speakers is at a level so low a person with excellent hearing can barely here it. It is a barley audible "scratchy" noise. I am self-employed and use my car a great deal. I am very scared to drive my car and have limited my driving almost entirely which has seriously affected my business. I worked very hard to become a successful small business owner, which, as a result of this recall, is quickly declining. I took my vehicle to ed bozarth Chevrolet and was told it could be months and months before the parts became available.to repair the vehicle. Are there any other alternatives you may be able to offer me" possibly a loaner vehicle" I do appreciate the fact GM stepped up and re-called the affected vehicles. Thank you for your attention and assistance to this matter.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #34

Jul 152014

Aura

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and stated that the part needed was unable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Goose Creek , SC, USA

problem #33

Jul 102014

Aura 4-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
As I was driving to work after being in the car for no more than 15 minutes, my rear brake lamp went on while I was driving and would only shut off if I tapped on the brake pedal. Also my cruise control would not engage. This has continued to happen ever since. I feel this is a very serious safety hazard especially in traffic and the drivers behind me do not know when I am actually coming to a stop! ironically, we received a recall notice last week regarding this problem. I have contacted both a local dealer and GM directly and neither party can tell me when the repairs will be made as there are no parts available. I am feeling extremely frustrated and helpless. There is also a recall out there # 14118 for loss of power steering dated last month and still have heard nothing further on this issue.

- Babson Park, FL, USA

problem #32

Jul 222014

Aura 6-cyl

  • miles
I was sitting at a red light when all of a sudden all my dashboard lights/radio etc. Went out (I always have them on) I actually thought the car died. (which it did not) I played around with the inside dimmer switch and the lights came back on and I drove off. But it got me thinking about the latest recall that I have on this car. Recall no. 13036. I actually spoke to someone at your place yesterday (reference no. 663360) since I was leary of driving a vehicle with a recall as such. I was given GM phone no. And upon speaking with them they still do not know when the part will become available and told me that they would not approve me for a loaner car. So if any of this recall should happen it certainly imposes the risk of a crash. I do much highway driving (everyday for work) so if I drive and my brakes do not come on I cannot imagine the impact at 65mph in a rear end collision. I am so nervous about driving this car. How can I get them to approve a loaner until the parts are available and I can actually get a appointment with dealership. Thank you for any input you can give me.

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

problem #31

Jun 022012

Aura

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the brake lights and rear window brake light would illuminate and dim intermittently. The brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than four times, but the failure could not be remedied. The rear brakes were calibrated several times, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #30

Dec 022013

Aura

  • miles
Experiencing issues with the ESC, transaction control sensors, and power locks. We have had the sensor in the gas pedal replaced without success. We are experiencing issues daily with our speed control, locks, and ESC and traction sensors. Contacted GM and they stated our vehicle is not on the recall list due to it being manufactured in NY. We need to get this resolved asap as we have a newborn on the way.

- Eastpointe, MI, USA

problem #29

Jul 092014

Aura

  • 84,912 miles
Power door locks fail to unlock. This is now the second time this has happened. First occurrence it was fixed under warranty. Power door lock mech fails to unlock on door, this will sometimes cause door to not unlock. Concern is in a accident, you may not be able to exit car. Manufacture seems to know this happens.

- Russiaville, IN, USA

problem #28

Jun 022014

Aura

  • miles
2008 Saturn Aura. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch problems. The consumer stated while driving on the highway, the vehicle suddenly stopped. The consumer stated his vehicle, was not on the recalled list, but should be.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #27

Nov 012013

Aura

  • miles
During the winter of 2013 I started noticing my doors weren't always locking automatically when shifting from park into drive as they were supposed to. Then I had an incident in which I parked my car at a mall and couldn't restart (because it was stuck in gear) it but after trying to start the ignition and switching gears I was able to start it again after a few minutes. These events soon lead up to my shifter malfunctioning and the car getting stuck in drive while I was trying to park it on a city street. I was no longer able to shift gears and once turning the car off I could not restart it. After doing some research, I found out about the recall involving the shifter cable tab however, I was never notified by GM. In fact, when I contacted GM I was told that my VIN was not apart of this recall. Both the dealer and GM said I would have to pay for the replacement even though it was a known fact that there were a substantial amount of cars that had this same problem. Eventually the dealer told me that there was a "loophole" that would allow them to replace the part free of charge due to this recall. The fact that I wasn't notified and initially given a hard time by GM is very alarming.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

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