This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Aura lighting problems
moderate 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
What stands out
Owners have filed 41 lighting 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 lighting 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 information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
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 pervasive brake light defect that causes the lights to illuminate continuously while driving without brake pedal input, then extinguish when the brake is actually applied—the opposite of normal operation. Owners consistently describe brake lights coming on at startup or during normal driving and staying lit until the pedal is tapped, only to reactivate shortly after release. This behavior occurs intermittently, sometimes clearing temporarily when the engine warms up, and can happen daily or sporadically over years.
Affected owners report cruise control simultaneously stops working or disengages because the control module logic prevents cruise engagement when brake lights register as illuminated. Some owners note the problem correlates to cold-start conditions and high-mount brake light failures.
Owners document taking vehicles to dealers three to four times for the same failure. Repair attempts include replacing the brake light switch, brake pedal position sensor, and applying dielectric lubricant to electrical connectors. One dealer replaced a control module (part #25861370), but the failure returned. Technical Service Bulletin 08-05-22-009 was issued and referenced by owners but did not resolve the issue. GM issued Recall Campaign 14V252000 for electrical/lighting systems, though some owners claim their vehicles were not included in the VIN coverage. Several owners report brake master cylinder rubber seal leakage and rear light lens condensation as secondary issues, with the latter persisting after three replacements.
Same Saturn Aura lighting reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Brake lights illuminate without brake pedal applied (inverted function)
Brake lights come on and stay on while driving with no brake pedal pressure applied. When the brake pedal is actually pressed, the lights go off. This is the reverse of normal operation. Problem is intermittent and sometimes temperature-dependent, clearing after vehicle warms up or after several miles of driving.
When: Across all mileage ranges, from 3,000 to 130,000+ miles; often starts early in vehicle ownership but continues throughout
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights illuminated continuously while not braking; Brake lights extinguish when brake pedal is pressed; Lights reactivate immediately upon releasing brake pedal; Behavior intermittent, may clear temporarily when vehicle warms up; Occurs every day to several times per week depending on vehicle
Codes mentioned: Brake pedal position sensor reading negative/inverted values (e.g., -50 instead of +3), BCM diagnostic issues detected via Tech 2 scanner
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement of brake light switch, brake pedal position switch, and sensor replacement with no permanent fix. Cleaning dielectric lubricant applied to BAS connector by dealers. Brake master cylinder rubber seals replaced due to fluid leakage. BCM reprogramming attempted multiple times without success. One dealer replaced module part #25861370 but problem recurred. TSB 08-05-22-009 referenced but not resolved issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign 14V252000 issued for electrical system/exterior lighting; however, some vehicles claim to not be included in VIN range covered. TSB 08-05-22-009 cited but ineffective. GM and dealers initially denied knowledge of widespread issue.
Cruise control disengagement tied to brake light malfunction
Cruise control shuts off or fails to engage when brake light malfunction is active. Control module logic prevents cruise from operating when it detects brake lights illuminated (even when inverted). Owners report cruise will not re-engage until brake light issue resolves or vehicle warms up.
When: Simultaneous with brake light failure; observed at 60,000+ miles on some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control suddenly disengages while active; Cruise fails to set or engage when brake lights are malfunctioning; Cruise will not re-engage until vehicle warms or after several miles of driving; Cruise works normally when brake lights function correctly
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair attempted for cruise control alone; fixes attempted target brake light issue under assumption cruise will restore once brake lights corrected.
High-mounted brake light (third brake light) intermittent or non-functional
Third brake light on rear window/spoiler fails to illuminate when brake pedal is pressed, or illuminates sporadically independent of brake application. Works inconsistently in relation to main brake lights.
When: Observed at low and high mileage; one case at approximately 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: High-mounted brake light fails to come on when brakes applied; Third brake light comes on without brake pedal pressure; Light works only sometimes; Operates opposite of main brake lights
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair documented for this failure mode in narratives provided.
Rear brake light lens condensation and seal failure
Moisture collects inside rear light housings due to improper sealing. Condensation obscures lens and reduces visibility of brake and turn signal indication to following drivers. Hybrid model specifically mentioned.
When: Noted as recurring problem; third replacement still did not resolve issue
Symptoms owners cite: Condensation visible inside rear light lens; Light output obscured by moisture; Brake lights and turn signals not clearly visible from behind; Problem worse in winter season
Repairs/costs cited: Rear light assemblies replaced three times but condensation returned each replacement; indicates underlying seal or design defect.
Brake pedal difficult to move; sticking/binding
Brake pedal becomes hard to press or gets stuck, particularly when first entering vehicle or starting. Makes it difficult to shift out of Park. Related to overall brake system electrical/mechanical malfunction.
When: Reported at low mileage (60,000-80,000 miles in some cases)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal must be pressed very hard to move or get stuck; Difficult to shift vehicle out of Park when brake pedal is binding; Problem occurs on cold start
Repairs/costs cited: Brake master cylinder seal/rubber replacement mentioned in one case due to fluid leakage associated with pedal issue.
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 41 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 37,000 and 108,756 miles, with the median around 72,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 108,756. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.