Saturn Aura problems
0 safety recalls. 432 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My electric power steering stopped working. Not safe to drive. This was fixed prior on recall. I did not own car then.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE OVERPASS/HIGHWAY, CAR JUMPS/SKIPS TO THE SIDE (OPPOSITE OF TURNING DIRECTION). STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND DIDN'T SOLVE THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD FRONT END BASICALLY RE-DONE ALSO. LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID; POWER STEERING WHINES AND IS VERY…
DRIVING DOWN A ROAD DOING ABOUT 35MPH AND NOTICE THE POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING, A MESSAGE COMES UP ON THE INFO PANEL THAT READS POWER STEERING, AND A BELL RINGS. I LOOK IN THE MANUAL AND IT SAYS THAT THE CAR HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (NO FLUID TO CHECK). I CALL THE DEALER…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE; HOWEVER THE SHIFTER FAILED TO RESPOND AND REMAINED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Saturn Aura reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 432 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Saturn Aura is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 114 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Saturn Aura has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Saturn Aura?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 432 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.