This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Aura fuel system problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
1fire
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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 service bulletin provides the technician with additional information on fuels, fuel additives and fuel management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates provides information to the technician on the use of R-99 or R-95 Renewable diesel fuel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated 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
Fuel system problems dominate complaints on 2007 Saturn Aura models. The most common issue is fuel pump leakage, with owners reporting strong gasoline smells inside and outside the vehicle, often first noticed when the car sits parked. One owner smelled fuel from the rear driver side, another detected gas fumes in the trunk entering the cabin while driving. Leaks appear as small gas spots under the vehicle when the tank is full.
Fuel pump failures occur across a wide mileage range—56,000 to 126,000 miles. One owner experienced complete engine seizure at 25 mph with no warning light. Another faced a fuel tank leak near the exhaust pipe, and a mechanic found a cracked fuel pump return port requiring replacement.
Drivability suffers when the fuel system falters. One owner's car sputtered repeatedly before starting, then lost engine power while leaving a parking lot at 15–20 mph, shuddering and limiting speed to 20–25 mph. Dashboard warnings showed "Reduced Engine Power" and service traction issues. The dealer found a loose throttle body connector, cleaned it, and restored power—but the underlying fuel pump leak went undiagnosed until discovered at a different shop.
Dealer responses vary. Some initially blamed bad gasoline or overfilled tanks; others missed leaks entirely on repeat visits. Replacement costs run $400–500. Owners report being denied reimbursement for failed diagnostics.
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel pump leakage
Fuel pump internal or external leaks allowing gasoline to escape, often detected by strong fuel smell inside and outside vehicle, especially when parked. Leaks may occur at pump housing, return port, or seal.
When: 56,000 to 126,000 miles; some failures reported after several years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline smell from rear/driver side after car sits; Gasoline odor inside and outside vehicle; Small gas spot under vehicle when tank is full; Gas fumes in trunk entering cabin while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement; one owner paid $493.35 for replacement; dealer wanted higher cost; another paid $86 for initial (failed) diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls found by dealers initially; Saturn Ion fuel pump recalls exist but 2007 Aura owners report not being notified of similar issues
Fuel tank leak
Fuel tank itself leaking, potentially near or at exhaust pipe area, creating fire hazard risk. Distinct from fuel pump leakage.
When: 100,500 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel leak near exhaust pipe; Vehicle deemed unsafe to drive post-emissions test
Cracked fuel pump return port
Fuel pump return port develops cracks allowing fuel to leak. Mechanic-diagnosed component failure requiring pump replacement.
When: 56,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel leak from return port
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic stated fuel pump replacement needed; vehicle not repaired
Engine power loss and drivability issue
Engine loses power and shudders under light acceleration, accompanied by throttle body connector issues. Related to fuel system pressure delivery and electrical connection integrity.
When: Occurred at low speed (15-25 mph) in parking lot departure
Symptoms owners cite: Car sputters 5-10 times before starting; Sudden engine power loss at 15-20 mph; Vehicle shakes/shutters; Reduced engine power dashboard warning; Traction control warning light; Vehicle limited to 20-25 mph; Issue repeated on second visit to dealer
Codes mentioned: Reduced Engine Power, Service Traction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaned throttle body cable connector with di-electric grease; engine power restored. Fuel pump later replaced at independent garage.
Fuel pump failure causing engine stall
Fuel pump fails completely, causing sudden engine seizure while driving at moderate speed with no warning lights displayed.
When: 126,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle decelerated while driving 25 mph; Engine completely seized; No warning indicators illuminated
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 82,097 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.