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: …
2008 Saturn Aura powertrain problems
severe 114 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
114
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 R…
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 (POWE…
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 WERE…
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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