My electric power steering stopped working. Not safe to drive. This was fixed prior on recall. I did not own car then.
2008 Saturn Aura steering problems
critical 112 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
112
Recalls
0
Crashes
6
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 STIFF. I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE HA…
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 AND HE SAYS THE CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL AT 86000 MILES (IT HAS 126000 NOW). APPARENTLY WHAT EVER HAPPENED BEFORE I…
LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUGHT WARNING, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW THAT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION BECAUSE THE POWER STEER…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
It's a serious issue. 112 complaints have been filed, including 6 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering 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 $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.
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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