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 ↗2009 Saturn Aura airbags problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
6crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 17 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 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 11 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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2009 Saturn Aura describe a multi-faceted airbag system problem. The most frequent complaint is an airbag warning light that illuminates on the dash at startup and stays on during driving, with some reporting it flashes intermittently and then stops. One owner at 118,557 miles had the warning appear repeatedly over several days. Multiple owners report intermittent seatbelt warning dinging and flashing even when belts are properly buckled—a nuisance that affects both driver and passenger sides.
More serious are reports of passenger-side occupancy sensor failure. The sensor intermittently fails to detect a 130-pound adult occupant, which disables the passenger airbag protection. One owner paid several hundred dollars for a dealer-installed replacement sensor, only to have the same problem return weeks later. The dealer would not cover the repair cost.
Several owners reported actual airbag non-deployment during collisions. Multiple owners describe crashes—T-bone impacts, rear-end collisions, and single-vehicle incidents—where airbags did not deploy despite the severity of impact. Injuries sustained included head trauma requiring medical attention, whiplash, concussions, and broken bones. One vehicle was a total loss. A related complaint mentions brakes failing (pedal to floor) and airbags not deploying in a 30 mph rear-end collision, with reference to a Takata recall. Takata recall status appears inconsistent: one owner's VIN was determined not to be covered despite reporting the same warning light issue.
Same Saturn Aura airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light stays on or flashes intermittently
Airbag warning indicator illuminates on the dashboard and remains on during vehicle operation, or flashes intermittently and then stops. Light comes on as soon as the vehicle is started and persists while driving; does not clear even when parked.
When: 118,557 miles reported in one case; occurs during normal driving and at engine start
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dash; Warning light does not turn off while vehicle is in motion; Light persists even when vehicle is in park; Flashing behavior observed intermittently
Codes mentioned: B0081-71
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned in narrative; one owner's VIN was not included in recall despite the issue
Passenger seat occupancy sensor failure
Passenger-side airbag occupancy sensor fails to consistently detect an adult occupant sitting in the seat, causing the airbag to disable. Problem is intermittent and returns even after sensor replacement at dealership. Owner must visually check whether sensor has detected passenger before driving.
When: Intermittent; occurs at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag disabled when seat is occupied by adult; Service airbag message on display; Passenger airbag lamp does not illuminate to indicate active protection; Intermittent sensor detection
Codes mentioned: B0081-71
Repairs/costs cited: GM dealer replaced passenger seat cushion sensor; cost several hundred dollars; problem returned after replacement
Airbag failure to deploy in frontal/side-impact collisions
Airbags do not deploy during confirmed crash events involving frontal or side-impact collisions, including T-bone and rear-end impacts. Owners sustained injuries ranging from whiplash and head injury requiring medical attention to concussion and broken bones.
When: 60,000–118,557 miles; crashes occurred at speeds of 30–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during side-impact collision (T-bone); No airbag deployment during rear-end collision; No airbag deployment during frontal impact with median and hillside; Owner sustained injuries (head injury, whiplash, broken hands, concussion); Vehicle total loss in some incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were towed to dealer; one vehicle was destroyed; no repairs completed in reported cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one case, dealer stated frontal impact was not the initial impact so airbags would not deploy; Takata recall mentioned but causation unclear
Seatbelt warning sensor malfunction
Seatbelt warning light and alarm sound intermittently or continuously even when seatbelt is properly buckled. Dinging and flashing occur on both driver and passenger sides despite belts being fastened.
When: Intermittent occurrence; not tied to specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt warning light flashes when belt is buckled; Dinging/alarm sounds when belt is properly fastened; Issue occurs on both driver and passenger sides; Behavior is intermittent, not constant
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn aura. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH on ice, the vehicle slid and crashed into a median, spun across three lanes, and crashed into a hill. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was informed…
I was driving north on the hwy and the other person ran a stop sign and t-boned me on the driver side. My face and body smashed into the drivers door causing sever whiplash and some other things yet identified by an orthopedic surgeon. The drivers door and rear drivers door is smashed all the way to the seats, pushing on the seats and none of the airbags deployed. I am still seeing doctors to…
I was driving north on the hwy and the other vehicle ran a stop sign and t-boned me on the driver side. My face and body smashed into the drivers door causing sever whiplash and other things not yet identified by my doctor. The drivers door and rear drivers side was smashed pushing up against the seats (front and back) none of the airbags deployed. I am still seeing doctors to figure out what…
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Saturn Aura?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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/2009/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.