This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Saturn Aura airbags problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 18 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 Saturn Aura, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 airbags 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 technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. UPDATED ON 12/13/07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Saturn Aura has multiple distinct airbag failure modes. Most common is the service airbag light staying on or illuminating sporadically starting in the 60,000–90,000 mile range, with dealers identifying defective airbag modules or sensors that need replacement. One owner at 10,495 miles had both front airbags deploy without any impact while making a slow right turn, injuring her neck and exposing her to chemical fumes.
Side and curtain airbags have failed to deploy in actual lateral collisions. One owner was struck square on the passenger door at highway speed but the system didn't trigger, and Saturn later claimed the impact "didn't meet the parameters" because it hit the door rather than the pillar. Passenger-seat airbag detection is also problematic—multiple owners report the occupant light refusing to stay on when passengers of 115–135 pounds sit down, despite the obvious occupancy.
Rare cases show airbags firing spontaneously. One reported a side passenger airbag deploying while driving on the interstate with no outside contact. Another vehicle crashed into a building at low speed, and the airbags never deployed at all. Owners consistently say they've seen many similar complaints across forums and believe the Aura should have been recalled alongside the Pontiac G6, which experienced parallel passenger-detection issues.
Same Saturn Aura airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag module defect / sensor failure
Service airbag light illuminates on vehicles with no accident history. Technicians diagnose defective airbag modules or airbag sensors requiring replacement. Light remains on continuously or illuminates sporadically. Owners report seeing many similar complaints across Saturn Aura forums.
When: Various mileages ranging from 58,000 to 88,000 miles; one vehicle at 68,000–69,000 miles; another at 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light or warning lamp illuminates; Light remains illuminated continuously or comes on sporadically; Light does not turn off without repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships and independent mechanics recommend replacement of airbag module or airbag sensors. One owner replaced two front driver and passenger side airbag sensors at owner's expense.
Passenger airbag detection system malfunction
Passenger side airbag occupant-detection light fails to illuminate when passengers of 115–135 pounds are seated, despite the seat being occupied. Dealership testing cannot reproduce the fault, but owners report the problem persists across multiple test passengers of varying sizes. Raises concern about whether airbag will deploy in an accident.
When: Reported at 58,000 miles; another unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light does not remain on when passenger 115+ lbs is seated; Light stays off most of the time when qualifying passenger weight present; Problem persists after dealership inspection and testing with different passenger sizes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to find or duplicate the problem. One owner sought warranty coverage through CarMax with resistance.
Side/side-curtain airbag non-deployment in lateral collision
Owner struck on the driver's side door by another vehicle's front end during highway accident. Side and side-curtain airbags did not deploy despite direct impact to door. Saturn service stated airbags 'didn't meet the parameters' and later clarified that impact must be on the pillar, not the doors, per owner's manual. Owner sustained head, back, hip, and leg injuries and questions the logic of this deployment logic.
When: Accident occurred at 60 mph highway speed; vehicle repair cost approximately $11,000
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbags did not deploy on impact to passenger door; Side-curtain airbags did not deploy; Owner struck head on window, sustained neck and back injury
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle repaired for approximately $11,000 structural damage; additional motor mount replacement needed after initial repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Saturn body shop and home office stated impact 'didn't meet the parameters' and later clarified airbags only deploy when impact is on pillar, not doors, per owner's manual
Airbag inadvertent deployment
Airbags deployed without any impact or collision event. One owner traveling at less than 10 mph while making a right turn experienced full airbag deployment, causing neck injury and chemical exposure. Another owner reported side passenger airbag deployed while driving on interstate with no outside force on vehicle.
When: First incident at 10,495 miles; second incident unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deploy without impact or collision; Neck injury from seat belt locking during unintended deployment; Chemical exposure from airbag propellant
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; dealer advised against further driving
Airbag non-deployment in crash event
Vehicle accelerated independently at low speed (approximately 5 mph) and crashed into a building. Airbags failed to deploy. Failure occurred twice. No diagnostic testing performed at independent mechanic.
When: Failure mileage 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle crashes into building while accelerating unintentionally; Airbags fail to deploy during impact; Incident occurred twice
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent mechanic; no diagnostic testing performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of failure
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn aura. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The failure and the current mileage was 63,000. Updated 01/10/12*lj
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 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 airbags problem on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2008/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.