This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Aura engine problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 engine 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2007 Saturn Aura report a cluster of engine failures with real safety consequences. The most common complaint involves the timing chain stretching prematurely—failures documented as early as 18,800 miles and repeating on replacement chains within 20,000 to 30,000 additional miles. Check engine codes P0016 and P0017 indicate the problem. Repair costs run $1,200 to $3,000, with dealerships requiring 2-3 days downtime. Several owners note GM covers the same 3.6L engine under recall in GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook models but explicitly excluded the Aura.
Beyond timing chain issues, owners report intermittent engine stalls while driving—complete shutdowns with no warning, loss of power steering and brakes, and inability for mechanics to reproduce the problem. One owner documented 10+ stalls between October 2013 and the complaint filing, often during intersection transitions. A 2007 model caught fire at 5,800 miles after losing power steering, though the cause remains undetermined.
Engine power reduction and limp mode occur unexpectedly, sometimes triggered by rain exposure to the throttle control module. Owners also report coolant crossover pipe leaks requiring repeat repairs and knock sensor failures that recur after replacement. One owner's timing chain tensioner wrapped around the axle, destroying the CV joint.
Failure modes owners describe
Unexpected engine stalls while driving
Engine shuts off abruptly while vehicle is in motion, with no warning lights and no ability to restart immediately. Electrical system remains functional. Issue is intermittent and impossible to reproduce for mechanics, occurring randomly from multiple times per week to months apart.
When: Typically during transitions into or out of stops; occurred 10+ times since Oct 2013 for one owner; can occur at any mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; Loss of power steering and power brakes; No check engine light or warning before stall; Vehicle coasts to stop; Electrical systems remain on; Intermittent and non-reproducible failure pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics and dealerships unable to reproduce problem to diagnose; no confirmed repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined to service vehicle; stated not covered by Saturn Ion ignition recall; dealership refused involvement
Engine fire
Engine erupted into flames shortly after vehicle experienced loss of power steering and visible smoke. Vehicle caught fire at low mileage and was declared total loss. Power steering loss was preceded by power steering recall/service bulletin in December 2006, though actual cause of fire remains unknown.
When: Approximately 5,800 miles; February 21, 2007
Symptoms owners cite: Visible smoke from engine compartment; Loss of power steering; Engine fire erupting immediately upon vehicle evacuation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle declared total loss; GM repurchased automobile and refunded money
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM repurchased the vehicle after fire; clarified that prior service was a service bulletin (06147) not an official recall despite mail stating 'URGENT/RECALL NOTICE'
Timing chain premature wear and failure
Timing chain stretches prematurely, requiring replacement at relatively low mileages. Multiple owners report repeated failures of replacement timing chains. Check engine light illuminates with codes P0016 and P0017 indicating timing chain/camshaft issues. Owners note same 3.6L engine is covered under GM recall in other models (GMC Acadia, Cadillac CTS/SRX/STS, Saturn Outlook) but not in Saturn Aura.
When: Reported failures at 18,800 miles; 56,000 miles (first failure on one vehicle); 80,000 miles (second failure); 85,500 miles; 86,000 miles; 95,000 miles; 103,000 miles; 136,000 miles; as early as approximately 10 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Codes P0016 and P0017 (camshaft/crankshaft correlation); Service traction light activation; Engine power reduction; Rough running condition; Vehicle cannot pass emissions test; Stretched timing chain on inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs ranging from $1,200 to $3,000; one owner paid $1,667.05 for second replacement in under 3 years; 2-3 days downtime typical; one vehicle missing camshaft thrust washers upon inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage Adjustment Bulletin #11340A and #11340C cover timing chain issues for some models with same 3.6L engine but explicitly exclude Saturn Aura; Saturn Outlook received recall coverage; GMC Acadia covered for 10 years/120,000 miles; GM refused coverage citing vehicle just outside 10-year window; dealerships cite lack of coverage in their policy
Coolant crossover pipe leaks
Coolant crossover pipe develops leaks requiring repeated repairs. Mechanic attributed failure to flaw in metal design preventing proper sealing. Owners indicate GM issued only a service bulletin for this known problem affecting GM 3.5L engines in multiple brands (Buick, Chevy, Pontiac, others) rather than recall.
When: First repair November 2013 at unspecified mileage; recurring leak within months
Symptoms owners cite: Serious antifreeze leaks from crossover pipe; Repeat leaking after repair
Repairs/costs cited: First repair cost $430 (November 2013); subsequent repair estimate $1,110; repeated failures requiring multiple repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Saturn customer service contacted twice; refused to admit fault or provide coverage; GM issued service bulletin instead of recall for this known problem
Check engine light with throttle control module water contamination
Multiple warning messages appear on driver information console after rain exposure. Throttle control module (part 15780668) suspected to be compromised by water intrusion, causing service traction light, engine power reduced message, and check engine light.
When: Occurred after rain storm while driving on interstate
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Service traction light; Engine power reduced message; Traction control disabled message; Severe power loss (feels like running on two cylinders); Water intrusion suspected into throttle control module
Repairs/costs cited: Water ingress suspected affecting throttle control module; no repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner suggests GM needs to investigate this issue; no manufacturer response documented
Knock sensor failure
Knock sensor failure causing check engine light illumination and engine stalling. Vehicle taken to dealer multiple times for same failure, which recurred after repair.
When: Initial failure around 60,000 miles; recurring at 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine RPM decrease; Engine stalling while driving; Recurring failure after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Knock sensor replacement performed; failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of repeated failures; no corrective action documented
Engine power loss and limp mode
Engine power reduction occurs unexpectedly while driving, forcing vehicle into limp mode with reduced acceleration capability. Multiple owners report sudden power loss without warning, creating unsafe driving conditions at highway speeds and intersections.
When: Various mileages and driving conditions; one incident at 55 mph during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power reduction light illumination; Traction control light activation; Sudden loss of acceleration capability; No power to accelerate from stop; Vehicle operates as if in limp mode; Loss of engine power in oncoming traffic situations
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement addresses root cause in some cases; no other repairs documented for this specific symptom pattern
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued bulletins for related issues but comprehensive safety response unclear
Timing chain tensioner belt failure
Timing chain tensioner belt failure requiring replacement. One owner reports tension cord wrapped around axle causing damage to CV joint.
When: Vehicle with approximately 50,000 miles less than one year old
Symptoms owners cite: Engine noise; Timing chain tensioner cord wrapped around axle; CV joint damage; Expensive secondary damage
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost not specified but noted as expensive; CV joint damage from secondary effect of tensioner cord failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Engine won't shut off
Engine refuses to shut off when ignition key is turned off, making vehicle inoperable for driver safety.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Engine continues running after key turned off; No ability to stop engine with key; No ability to stop vehicle without running engine
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 55,503 and 99,707 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,503; a quarter make it past 99,707. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.