2010 Saturn Aura Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2010 Saturn Aura has a low complaint index of 25 with just 2 complaints logged, ranking 4th out of 5 model years — better than 2007, 2008, and 2009. It carries 2 recalls, including a transmission shift-cable issue and a brake wiring recall shared with related GM models.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #4 of 5 Aura years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2010 Saturn Aura problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags1 (50%)
- Electrical System1 (50%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- One owner reported that airbags failed to deploy after the vehicle hydroplaned and struck a median at 60 mph, resulting in injury at 50,000 miles.
- A separate owner described brake lights staying illuminated on similar GM vehicles even when the brakes were not being used, creating confusion for drivers behind them.
- No complaints in the sample described engine, transmission, or steering failures, despite a related transmission shift-cable recall on this model year.
2010 Saturn Aura recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V252000May 14, 2014Brakes2,440,524 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
- NHTSA 12V460000Sep 18, 2012Transmission & Powertrain426,240 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
2010 Saturn Aura fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Saturn Aura reliable compared to other Aura years?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Aura has a complaint index of 25, the second-lowest among the 5 model years with data, behind only the 2005 model.
- What problems does the 2010 Saturn Aura have?
- NHTSA lists only 2 complaints for the 2010 Aura, split evenly between airbags and the electrical system. One airbag complaint involved a crash and injury after a failure to deploy.
- Does the 2010 Saturn Aura have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Aura: one covering a shift-cable retainer in the 4-speed automatic transmission, and one covering a brake wiring harness issue shared with related GM models.
- Which Saturn Aura model years should be avoided?
- According to complaint index data, the 2007 and 2009 Aura carry Avoid verdicts, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100. The 2010 model year is not flagged as Avoid.