This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Aura airbags problems
severe 78 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
78
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 78 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 Saturn Aura, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 78 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM SATURN: AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERE ARE THREE TROUBLE CODES STORED. UPDATED ON 6/30/2011.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Saturn Aura has a widespread and unrecalled passenger airbag detection defect. Owners report the passenger airbag indicator light cycling between on and off randomly—sometimes while a passenger is actively sitting in the seat, sometimes while the seat is empty, sometimes both within the same drive. The light may turn off after a vehicle restart, fueling owners' suspicion that the system is glitching rather than genuinely detecting occupancy. Dealers consistently diagnose a faulty passenger presence system (PPS) module, weight sensor, or wiring harness, and advise owners the airbag will not deploy in a crash when the light is misbehaving.
Owners began reporting this issue as early as 5,000 miles but the bulk of complaints cluster between 13,000 and 80,000 miles. Many took their vehicles to dealers under warranty for the same failure, only to have it recur after parts replacement. Once warranty expired, repair costs hit $750–$1,500 for module, sensor, and labor. GM has not issued a recall and refuses to cover repairs out of warranty, despite owners citing numerous identical complaints online and dealers acknowledging the problem affects multiple vehicles in their service bays. One owner reported a frontal collision where neither airbag deployed; another reported both airbags deploying while driving normally, causing the steering wheel to lock and the vehicle to shut down.
Same Saturn Aura airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Airbag Detection System Malfunction
Passenger airbag on/off indicator light toggles or illuminates incorrectly, signaling the airbag is off even when an adult occupies the seat, or fails to illuminate when the seat is occupied. Owners report the light cycles between on/off states randomly while driving or at rest with a passenger present.
When: Reported from as early as 5,000 miles through 134,000 miles; commonly emerges between 13,000 and 50,000 miles; patterns vary from intermittent to persistent across temperature and driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator cycles between on and off with passenger in seat; Airbag shows as off despite adult occupant (100+ lbs) present; Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently; Light may reset when vehicle is stopped and restarted; Behavior unpredictable and unrelated to passenger position or weight consistency
Codes mentioned: B0081 3A, B0081 71, B0081 SYM 71, B0092, Code 056, C9780
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repair involves replacement of passenger presence system (PPS) module, seat weight sensor, connector, and heat pad. Typical labor-intensive repair requiring seat removal and disassembly. Reported costs range from $750 to $1,500; some owners cite $800–$820; one instance mentions $960 for module, coil, and heater replacement. Parts referenced: 20824277 (module kit), 19118733 (connector), 25864887 (heater). Bulletin 10-0941-003A cited by one dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has not issued a recall for this defect. Multiple dealers informed owners the vehicle is out of warranty and repair is not covered. Manufacturer refused to acknowledge widespread problem; offered no assistance or warranty extension. One owner received case number 899048 from GM when contacting 866-694-6546 but with no resolution offered.
Passenger Airbag Non-Deployment Risk
Service airbag light illumination and passenger detection failure create risk that the passenger airbag will not deploy in a frontal crash, leaving the passenger unprotected. Dealers explicitly state the airbag may malfunction on impact.
When: Concurrent with passenger detection malfunction, occurring across the vehicle's service life from early mileage onward
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light on dashboard; Passenger airbag off indicator displayed despite occupant present; Dealer advises airbag will not deploy in crash; Owner uncertainty about whether airbag will function if needed
Repairs/costs cited: Addressed by replacement of passenger presence detection module and related components; cost borne entirely by owner when out of warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. GM has not implemented a safety recall despite acknowledged deployment risk. Owner's manual cautions airbag system may not perform in a crash and should be serviced without delay.
Intermittent Service Airbag Warning Light
Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently on the dashboard with no clear trigger, regardless of whether a passenger is present or absent. Light may remain on for hours, days, or weeks before turning off, then recur unpredictably.
When: Reported starting from 8,100 miles through 134,000 miles; patterns are erratic with some vehicles experiencing the issue for extended periods (months or years) and others intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Red airbag icon illuminates on dash; Service airbag message or chime sounds; Light comes on at start-up or randomly while driving; Light may turn off after vehicle restart or clearing message; Occurs with or without passenger in vehicle; No correlation to weather, temperature, or driving conditions for most reports; one owner notes heat may worsen issue; Dealer often unable to reproduce or find diagnostic code when vehicle is in shop
Codes mentioned: B0081, B0092, Code 056
Repairs/costs cited: Initial repair attempts may include module cleaning, drying, and recalibration (PPS recalibration noted in multiple instances). Persistent cases require full module replacement. One owner reports repeated dealer visits under warranty with no code found; later charged $125 for additional diagnosis out of warranty. Another owner had weight sensor replaced under warranty at 13,000 miles with no effect; faced $1,500 estimate at 45–50k miles when warranty expired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Dealers have diagnosed the light as a computer glitch in some cases and declined to repair. When owners contact GM, manufacturer defers to dealer and denies warranty coverage once vehicle is out of warranty period.
Airbag Wiring and Module Defects
Airbag system components—module and wiring harness—are found to be defective or incorrectly installed from the factory. One owner reported the airbag was wired incorrectly from new.
When: Detected early in vehicle ownership (reported at 8,100 miles in one instance)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light present at or soon after vehicle purchase; Dealer unable to diagnose initially; Wiring found to be incorrectly configured
Codes mentioned: B0081
Repairs/costs cited: Repair involved airbag wiring correction and seat replacement. Manufacturer offered no assistance. Owner concerned computer was not capturing/reading the failure when needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance; owner bore full repair cost.
Airbag Non-Deployment During Frontal Collision
Airbag failed to deploy during a frontal impact collision. One owner reported a front-end collision at 30 mph where neither airbag deployed, resulting in moderate neck injury.
When: At 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal impact at 30 mph; Abnormal odor noticed from steering wheel area; Owner sustained moderate neck pain and required medical attention
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was towed; repair status unknown. Police report filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Neither manufacturer nor dealer was notified by owner at time of reporting to NHTSA.
Inadvertent Airbag Deployment
Both driver and passenger airbags deployed while the vehicle was being driven at normal speeds with no collision or impact. Deployment caused physical injury and system lock-up.
When: Timing not specified; mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag deployed and struck owner on arm very hard; Passenger-side airbag deployed immediately after; Steering wheel locked when owner attempted to steer vehicle out of traffic; Seat belt locked; Vehicle instantly powered off and died
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership; inspection completed by dealership inspector
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspector stated airbag deployment was a normal circumstance unrelated to electrical system malfunction. Determined electrical failure was due to outside source and GM was not at fault.
Synthesized from 78 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Airbag alert on message center. We took it in and the repair was at least a thousand dollars. *tr
2007 Saturn aura xe. Consumer states side air bags deployed while driving *tgw the consumer stated the driver side air bag hit and stung her on the arm very hard, and immediately following was the passenger side. The steering wheel locked as she attempted to steer the vehicle out of the flow of traffic, her seat belt locked and the vehicle instantly died and everything powered off. The vehicle…
Passenger seat air bag sensor was replaced under warranty, 20,000 miles. Failed again at approx 45-50 thousand miles. Air bags are turned off when this happens. New fix included new wiring and sensors- plus a few hundred dollars. Gm obviously knew of the problem- they changed he wiring etc. This is dangerous because of the entire airbag system failing. The second fix should have been a…
While driving with a passenger the service airbag light comes on than goes off and will not register that a passenger is in the front seat.
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Saturn Aura?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
It's a meaningful issue. 78 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 63 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 33,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Saturn/Aura.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.