What year Saturn Aura should I avoid?

The 2007 and 2009 Saturn Aura are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100 respectively, the two highest among the five model years with data.

Is the 2008 Saturn Aura reliable?

The 2008 Aura is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 50 and four recall campaigns, sitting between the worse 2007/2009 years and the earlier 2005 model.

What is the most common problem with the Saturn Aura?

Across all model years, steering complaints make up 27% of total complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 26% and electrical system issues at 24%.

Does the Saturn Aura have a transmission recall?

Yes, NHTSA recall campaign 12V460000 covers 2007-2010 Aura models with 4-speed automatic transmissions over a shift cable defect, and a related campaign 14V224000 covers 2007-2008 models specifically.

Which Saturn Aura year is best?

No Aura year is rated Best; the 2005 is rated Good but that verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.

Saturn Aura Best and Worst Years (2005–2010)

Avoid the 2007 and 2009 Saturn Aura, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100, the highest in the lineup. The 2009 leads with steering complaints (54% share), while 2007 centers on transmission and powertrain issues (30% share). The 2008 is a step down at Caution.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2009

Model years: 5; 2005–2010
NHTSA complaints: 1,436
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 44
Fires reported: 9
Top problem area: Steering

Aura Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Saturn Aura problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Good	0	5	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2007	Avoid	75	607	13	6	3	Transmission & Powertrain	21	—
2008	Caution	50	432	18	1	4	Transmission & Powertrain	23.5	—
2009	Avoid	100	390	12	2	4	Steering	26	—
2010	No verdict	25	2	1	0	2	Airbags	26	—

Aura years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Saturn Aura Index 100 · 390 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2009 Aura has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100 and ranks worst overall. Steering complaints account for 54% of reports, the largest single-area share among all Aura years, with owners describing steering wheel lockups and shaking columns at a median failure mileage of 123,700. Brakes (23% share) and electrical issues (18% share) also appear. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for 2009, including a steering-related campaign. Twelve crashes, two fires, ten injuries, and one death were reported for the year.

2009 steering problems →2009 brakes problems →2009 electrical system problems →

2007 Saturn Aura Index 75 · 607 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2007 Aura carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks second-worst of the five model years. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate, making up 30% of complaints for the year, with owners describing shift cable failures tied to unintended movement out of park and sudden acceleration. Median mileage at failure for this area was 87,645. Electrical system issues (25% share) and brakes (23% share) followed. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for 2007, including a shift cable assembly replacement affecting over a million GM vehicles. Thirteen crashes and six fires were reported for the year, with ten injuries.

2007 transmission & powertrain problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 brakes problems →

Most common Saturn Aura problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Steering388 (27%)
Transmission & Powertrain374 (26%)
Electrical System349 (24%)
Brakes321 (22%)
Engine204 (14%)
Airbags150 (10%)
Structure & Body102 (7%)
Other62 (4%)
Fuel System61 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires41 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Saturn Aura should I avoid?: The 2007 and 2009 Saturn Aura are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100 respectively, the two highest among the five model years with data.
Is the 2008 Saturn Aura reliable?: The 2008 Aura is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 50 and four recall campaigns, sitting between the worse 2007/2009 years and the earlier 2005 model.
What is the most common problem with the Saturn Aura?: Across all model years, steering complaints make up 27% of total complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 26% and electrical system issues at 24%.
Does the Saturn Aura have a transmission recall?: Yes, NHTSA recall campaign 12V460000 covers 2007-2010 Aura models with 4-speed automatic transmissions over a shift cable defect, and a related campaign 14V224000 covers 2007-2008 models specifically.
Which Saturn Aura year is best?: No Aura year is rated Best; the 2005 is rated Good but that verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.