This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Saturn Aura powertrain problems
severe 114 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
114
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
5crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 114 powertrain complaints filed for the 2008 Saturn Aura, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 114 powertrain 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.
Powertrain accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report shift cable fractures that prevent the transmission from locking into Park. The cable casing cracks or breaks near the mounting bracket, and the shifter feels loose or won't travel the full distance into Park position. When this happens, vehicles roll backward or forward unpredictably—sometimes on slight inclines in driveways, sometimes while owners are stepping out. Restarting becomes impossible until the transmission is manually pushed into Park or shifted into Neutral.
The internal transmission wave plate breaks routinely around 100,000 miles, destroying the entire transmission. Owners describe sudden loss of all forward or reverse power while driving, sometimes at highway speeds. This typically occurs just as warranty coverage expires.
Many owners report the Park position won't hold: the shifter may show Park, but the transmission physically remains in another gear. The vehicle will only start in Neutral. This intermittent issue sometimes worsens in warm weather and creates dangerous rolling situations.
Several owners received recall notifications for shift cable issues (campaigns 12V460000 and 14V224000) but found their VINs were excluded from the recall list despite experiencing identical failures. Even after dealers completed recall repairs, the same cable has fractured again within months or years. GM has issued service bulletins but refused full recalls for certain model years, leaving owners with $307 to $4,800 repair bills. Additional complaints include hard shifting, steering wheel shaking, fuel pump leaks, and coolant system leaks with no visible source.
Same Saturn Aura powertrain reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shift cable fracture/breakage
Cable casing cracks, corrodes, or fractures near the mounting bracket or connection point to the transmission, preventing full engagement into Park. Owners report resistance felt before reaching Park position, and in some cases the cable breaks mid-shift.
When: Ranges from 7,500 to 170,000 miles; incidents occur on slight inclines, in driveways, parking lots, and while actively shifting gears. Some failures repeat after dealer recall repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward or forward after selecting Park; Shifter feels loose or won't engage fully into Park; Transmission won't shift into Park or other gears; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Vehicle rolls away when exiting after putting in Park; Shift lever feels like it's not connected
Codes mentioned: P0700
Repairs/costs cited: Shift cable and bracket replacement; costs range from $307.72 to $4,800+ depending on whether entire transmission replacement is needed. Some repairs covered under recalls 12V460000 and 14V224000; others owner-paid. Several owners report cable has been replaced multiple times (2–3 times) on same vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued: NHTSA Campaign 12V460000 (transmission shift cable end fitting tabs), 14V224000 (transmission shift cable fracture). However, many affected VINs reportedly excluded from recall lists despite experiencing identical failures. Service Bulletin 14152 and TSB 09-07-30-012 issued but not a full recall.
Transmission wave plate failure
Internal clutch wave plate or snap ring breaks, typically after 100,000 miles, causing sudden transmission loss or lockup. Metal fragments scatter internally, destroying the transmission. Occurs across 2007–2009 models with 6-speed transmission.
When: Primarily at or near 100,000 miles; one owner reported 99,850 miles, another at 110,765 miles. Often within 5–6 years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips in forward gears; No reverse function or reverse not working at all; Transmission will not engage in any gear (engine revs but car won't move); Hard shifting between gears; Check Engine light illuminates; Vehicle loses power suddenly while driving at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: P0700
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full transmission replacement; costs approximately $3,370–$4,800. Owners report high repair bills coinciding with warranty expiration. No owner-cited parts specifically replaced beyond full transmission swap.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 14404A (expired August 21, 2018) and TSB 09-07-30-012B issued but no full recall. GM acknowledged design change in later model years to make component 'more robust' but declined to cover out-of-warranty repairs for 2007–2009 owners.
Shift lock/Park position failure (electrical/mechanical)
Vehicle fails to recognize or hold Park position; transmission physically holds a different gear than the lever indicates. Intermittent, often temperature-dependent. Shift lever moves but transmission does not respond or responds only after multiple attempts.
When: Ranges from 12,000 to 134,000 miles; failures intermittent and sometimes more frequent in warm weather.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle won't start because transmission not actually in Park despite shifter indication; Must shift to Neutral to start engine; Doors won't unlock when in Park; Transmission in reverse while shifter shows Park; Shifter unresponsive until cycled multiple times; Vehicle rolls despite shifter in Park position
Repairs/costs cited: Shift cable and bracket replacement; some independent repairs done at owner expense ($307.72 cited). One owner reports dealer charged to diagnose despite recall notification.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12V460000 issued for gear position indication (PRNDL) but many affected VINs excluded. Owner inquiry shows dealer charged inspection fee despite recall. Investigation EA11015 was open but no broad recall enforcement documented in narratives.
Engine power loss / limp mode with warning lights
Vehicle suddenly loses power while driving, limited to 45 mph or refuses to accelerate, with traction control light, engine power reduced light, and Check Engine light illuminating. Power restored only after engine shutdown and 10-minute wait; brake lights do not activate during event.
When: While actively driving, including on hills; issue clears after 10 minutes off; one owner reports symptoms starting shortly after purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration / vehicle limited to low speed (45 mph); Traction control light on; Engine power reduced warning light; Check Engine light; No brake light activation when limp mode engaged; Problem clears after car sits 10 minutes then restarts
Codes mentioned: P0700 referenced in context of transmission, but power loss codes not explicitly listed in narratives
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair cited; one owner states dealerships unable to identify cause.
Power steering wandering/shaking
While driving, steering wheel moves back and forth rapidly on its own, sometimes causing slight steering corrections. Occurs while driving and persists even after vehicle is parked and engine off. Multiple dealers report never seeing the issue before.
When: While actively driving on roadways.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns back and forth rapidly without driver input; Steering shakes while parked with engine off; Owners suspected U-joint but mechanics ruled out
Repairs/costs cited: No repair successfully completed; multiple dealerships unable to diagnose.
Transmission fluid leak (trans cooler lines)
Red transmission fluid leaks from vehicle while parked, traced to faulty transmission cooler lines.
When: At 47,942 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Red fluid pooling under parked vehicle; Transmission fluid reservoir empty
Repairs/costs cited: Both transmission cooler lines replaced by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer suggested owner take vehicle to dealer; dealer completed repair.
Fuel pump failure / fuel leak
Fuel pump housing cracks, allowing gasoline to leak underneath driver's seat. Owner reports smell of fuel but no visible external leak until mechanic discovered cracked fuel pump top.
When: Unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline smell from vehicle; Fuel leaking under driver's seat; No visible external leak
Repairs/costs cited: Complete fuel pump replacement performed by independent mechanic.
Coolant leak (gasket or side-block seal)
Radiator coolant reservoir empties repeatedly despite no visible external leak. Owners report radiator fluid level drops within days to weeks. Research indicates possible gasket leak at side of engine block on 3.5L or 3.6L V6 engines; GM has not addressed issue as recall.
When: Unspecified; one owner notes issue occurred around 29 days after initial refill.
Symptoms owners cite: Radiator coolant reservoir empties without visible leak; Temperature gauge rises into red zone; Gauge fluctuates after addition of coolant; Repeated overheating; Coolant 'thirsty' (consumed rapidly)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner only added coolant; no repair completed. Suspected gasket replacement needed (not performed in narratives).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Per owner research, GM has not issued recall despite known issue with 3.5L/3.6L engines.
Hard shifting / jerky transmission engagement
Transmission shifts harshly or roughly between gears, particularly 2nd to 3rd, with jerking or shuddering sensations. May occur when backing up or during normal acceleration. Engine light may illuminate.
When: Occurs intermittently while driving or backing into parking spaces; one owner reports symptom at 58,000 miles jumping gears around 40–45 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, rough, jerky shifting between gears; Shuddering when placing in reverse; RPMs jump suddenly in 3rd and 5th gear; Check Engine light; Transmission remains stuck in one gear despite shifter input
Codes mentioned: P0700
Repairs/costs cited: One owner received transmission service under warranty but issue persists. Wave plate failure confirmed in one case. One case attributed to transmission module failure (replaced but issue continued).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 09-07-30-012B references wave plate as known common failure for 2007–2009 models.
Synthesized from 114 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 transmission shifter cable fractured. There was an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number ea11015 (power train:…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn aura. The contact stated that the driver shifted the vehicle into park and exited. Upon exiting, the vehicle rolled backward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the shift cable fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure and the current…
Gm recall 12106 (NHTSA campaign: 12v460000) was performed on my vehicle on 9-17-2014. Gm claims the recalled part was redesigned so that the shift cable and or retainer would not cause a safety issue as the original designed parts did. My vehicle was in forward gear while the pndl shift knob was in the reverse position, which is the same issue as described in the recall. This indicates the gm…
I was driving out of a parking space and the car kept moving when the brakes were in use. I attempted to put the car in drive and the car kept moving backwards. When I put the car in park, the vehicle continued to move as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn aura. While stopped with the gear in drive and the brake pedal depressed, the contact switched the gear to park and noticed that the gear would not engage in park. The failure recurred intermittently and more often when the weather was warm. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: ea11015…
Got to the bank parked a car and it did not want to go to park,somehow got it to drive and got back to the work place,did not want to go into the reverse or any other gear,pushed car into the parking lot. Did get recall notice earlier in the year but did not have time to take it in for the fix. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn aura. While attempting to shift the parked vehicle into any gear, the gear shift seized and the check engine light illuminated. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v224000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
It's a meaningful issue. 114 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 101 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 57,782 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 84,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,782; a quarter make it past 113,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.