This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Saturn Aura steering problems
moderate 65 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
65
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 65 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Saturn Aura, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 65 steering 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 steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 steering 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 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 ↗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 ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe steering failures occurring early and recurrently on 2007 Saturn Auras. Rack and pinion assemblies leak or fail as early as 2,300 miles and frequently again within months of replacement, requiring multiple repairs on the same vehicle. Power steering loss—complete or sudden—happens while driving at various speeds, forcing owners to apply extreme force to the steering wheel or pull over. Steering columns and intermediate shafts loosen, pop, or separate; one owner reports the steering wheel separating from the shaft entirely.
Hard, unresponsive steering and excessive vibration when turning are widespread complaints. Steering pulls or drifts unpredictably on uneven pavement, requiring constant correction to stay in the lane. Some owners report dealers unable or unwilling to duplicate problems; others had vehicles in shops for months with multiple failed repair attempts. Electrical issues—battery warning lights, radio cutouts, engine noise—sometimes accompany steering loss. One owner reports spending over $2,000 on repairs before learning a recall existed. Dealers cite long parts availability delays, and several owners note their VINs were excluded from steering recalls despite identical symptoms on recalled vehicles.
Same Saturn Aura steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Rack and pinion failure
Rack and pinion assembly leaks fluid, fails, or requires premature replacement. Multiple owners report repeated failures of the same component, with some having the part replaced more than once. Failure can occur with loss of power steering, hard steering feel, or fluid leaks underneath the vehicle.
When: As early as 2,300 miles; commonly reported between 58,000 and 100,000 miles; some recur within months of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loss or severe difficulty turning the wheel; Whining or moaning noise when turning; Fluid leak underneath vehicle; Steering feels loose or unresponsive; Hard steering requiring excessive force
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement; owners cite costs of $700 or more; fluid flushing; hose replacement. One owner paid over $2,000 in repairs before learning recall coverage existed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners report dealers initially unable to duplicate problem or claiming nothing found; one owner cites GM service bulletins documenting steering issues
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails, seizes, or loses output pressure. Owner reports pump replacement required multiple times on the same vehicle. Complete loss of power steering can occur suddenly while driving.
When: Reported at 40–111,000 miles and up to 129,288 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seizes without warning; Whining noise from steering column or pump area; Power steering loss while driving; Difficulty turning wheel in either direction
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement; one owner had pump replaced three separate times and rack and pinion also replaced; high and low side pressure hose replacement needed in some cases
Steering column and intermediate shaft defects
Steering column, intermediate shaft, or shaft-to-column connection fails, loosens, or separates from the column assembly. One owner reports the steering wheel separated from the steering shaft. Repairs often incomplete on first attempt; some require full steering column replacement after initial shaft replacement fails.
When: As early as under 10,000 miles; failures reported up to 228,078 miles; some recur within months or years of initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: Popping noise in floorboard on driver side during turns; Steering wheel becomes difficult to maneuver or locks up; Steering wheel separation from shaft (one report); Whining or groaning from steering column; Clicking noise while turning
Repairs/costs cited: Intermediate shaft replacement; steering column replacement; lubrication of steering column (temporary fix that failed). One owner's vehicle was in dealer shop for five months with multiple repair attempts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports GM told them shaft replacement was not included in recall; another received recall notification 14E044000 (steering) but was not included; some told vehicle not eligible for recall coverage
Hard or overresponsive steering
Steering becomes excessively tight, does not turn smoothly, or overreacts to road surface changes and driver input. Vehicle pulls or drifts unpredictably on uneven pavement or during normal turns, requiring constant correction. Feels loose or unresponsive at times.
When: Reported across various mileages; some early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering feels very tight and does not turn smoothly; Car pulls or drifts left or right on uneven pavement; Overcompensation needed when hitting bumps or crossing uneven lanes; Steering overreacts to minor road surface variations; Constant need to correct steering to keep car straight; Vehicle wanders all over the road
Repairs/costs cited: Sway bar and end link tightening or replacement estimated around $500; steering knuckle joint replacement; front wheel bearing replacement; front end alignment performed but did not resolve issue in multiple cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states Saturn said nothing is wrong with vehicle; dealers unable to duplicate problem or refused to acknowledge issue
Steering wheel vibration and noise
Steering wheel vibrates, makes clunking or clicking noises, or produces popping sounds when turning. Vibration can be severe during left or right turns.
When: Reported at 19,901 to 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel drastically vibrates when turning left or right; Clicking noise when turning; Popping noise near bearing when turning; Clunking noise from steering column during turns; Abnormal vibration in steering wheel at speed
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod replacement; stabilizer bar replacement; passenger side tie rod replacement as part of alignment; failure recurred after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer stated vibration in steering was normal and could not be repaired; tie rod replacement did not resolve issue
Power steering fluid leaks
Power steering system leaks fluid from hoses, connections, or pump. Complete fluid loss can occur, leading to immediate loss of power steering while driving.
When: Reported at various mileages; as early as around 51,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Small leak under front end; Loud whining noise when accelerating or turning; Power steering fluid reservoir nearly empty; Complete fluid loss after parking; Hose fracture when attempting to add fluid
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement; high and low side pressure hose rack and pinion replacement; line disconnection repair; one owner reports premature rack and pinion failure at 51,000 miles
Loss of power steering with electrical symptoms
Power steering loss accompanies or is preceded by electrical issues such as battery warning light, radio turning off, or engine cranking noise. May be related to brake pedal depression or electrical system malfunction.
When: Reported at 16,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fails after brake pedal is depressed; Radio turns off; Red battery light flashes; Engine makes cranking noise; Vehicle attempts to enter hybrid mode incorrectly
Repairs/costs cited: Hybrid battery replacement pending; diagnosis inconclusive
Steering sensor malfunction
Sensors within the steering column fail or do not operate properly, affecting power steering assist or steering column function. Metal shavings found in power steering fluid indicate internal wear or contamination.
When: Reported at 100,000 miles and 129,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering at startup that sometimes recovers after restart; Steering wheel pulls independently while driving; Steering wheel twitches and shakes at stop lights; Difficulty turning steering wheel; Whining noise from steering column at startup
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement needed; sensor replacement; power steering fluid flush (when metal shavings detected); no repair completed in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports GM said steering column/sensor replacement not covered by recall despite similar issues on other vehicles in same class
Synthesized from 65 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn aura. While driving 10 MPH, the power steering seized without warning and was difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and poured fluid into the steering pump hose; however, the hose fractured. The contact drove the vehicle home. The contact is an independent mechanic who stated that the high and low side pressure hose rack and…
I noticed that the steering wasn't normal and felt like I didn't have control of the vehicle. I made numerous stops alongside the road to check tires and eventually my steering wheel was crooked even though I was going straight. The steering felt like it gave out or slipped during certain turns and going straight. I brought car into dealership and they informed me that the bolts on the ball…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 65 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 61 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 46,093 and 110,300 miles, with the median around 80,340. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,093; a quarter make it past 110,300. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.