Saturn Aura problems
390 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–120,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Saturn Aura? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 210 owner reports · tends to show around 119,624 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 57 owner reports · tends to show around 88,033 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 38 owner reports · tends to show around 93,221 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 79,154 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 93,221 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Saturn Aura
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Saturn Aura
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~68,000 milighting~$250
- ~80,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~83,109 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~95,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~124,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Transmission clutch plate cracked per dealership. Car started shifting hard. Had the transmission failed on the expressway it could have caused an accident. *js
While driving back from work today I got this message // power steering service ESC// message after putting the vehicle in reverse while trying to turn.the steering became uncontrollable afterwards. After turning ignition off and back on the error message went away and things…
Power steering keeps going off. Have to restart car to get it to work. Now it won’t work at all.
Power steering freezes for a few seconds and is back to normal again. The first incident was approximately in september 2014 and this has happened several times since then. Once a message appeared on the information screen 'power steering......', but went away by the time it…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Saturn Aura reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 390 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 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.
Should you avoid the 2009 Saturn Aura?
The 2009 Saturn Aura is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 38 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–120,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Saturn Aura?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 210 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 119,624 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Saturn Aura a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 390 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 119,624 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 210 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 119,624 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 90,438 miles. 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 2009 Saturn Aura?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 390 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, 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 are not always better value.