This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Saturn Aura electrical problems
severe 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 38 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 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 38 electrical 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.
No new NHTSA electrical 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 electrical 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 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 ↗Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Saturn Aura's electrical system is generating dozens of complaints centered on a few critical failures. The most common: brake lights that work backwards—staying on while driving, turning off when you brake. Owners report this happens randomly and repeatedly, even after the vehicle was supposedly fixed under recall campaign 14V252000. Multiple owners say the repair didn't stick; one owner's brake lights failed again within a month of recall service.
Power loss on the highway is another major issue. Owners describe the car dropping from 68 mph to 35 mph without warning, with check engine or service traction lights coming on. One owner was nearly rear-ended when the car suddenly slowed in the fast lane.
A body control module (BCM) failure at 46,563 miles ($514 repair) triggered a cascade of problems—wipers failing, radio buttons not working, key fobs dead except for panic button, cruise control dropping out. Owners report spending over $2,000 on diagnostics (fuel pump, MAF sensors replaced twice, throttle body cleaning) with no fix found. One vehicle caught fire at 160,000 miles, causing second-degree burns to the owner.
Tail lights blow fuses intermittently, rear door locks cycle on their own, power steering cuts out mid-turn, and turn signal levers stick or won't return to neutral. Dashboard lights—Service ESC, Service Traction, Check Engine—flash and reset unpredictably, and shops report trouble pinpointing root causes. Water leaks from the moonroof appear to amplify electrical failures.
Same Saturn Aura electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Brake light circuit malfunction (inverted operation)
Brake lights illuminate without brake pedal input; fail to illuminate or respond intermittently when brake pedal is pressed. Owners report lights stay on while driving, turn off when braking, or flashing behavior that signals incorrect braking status to following traffic.
When: Early failure reported at 46,563 miles; recurs after recall repair at 85,000–165,000 miles; intermittent issue worsening over time in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lights on while driving without brake input; Brake lights off or dim when brake pedal depressed; Inverted operation: lights off when braking, on when accelerating; Intermittent behavior; resolves briefly when turning vehicle off and on; Check engine or traction control lights illuminating simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Service Traction Light, Service ESC Light, Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Recall NHTSA campaign 14V252000 issued for electrical system, exterior lighting, and stability control issues; owners report repair fails to resolve issue permanently. One owner paid $514.10 for BCM replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 14V252000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control); however, multiple owners report recurrence after recall service. GM offered only 10% discount to owner outside warranty; manufacturer later stated unable to assist with repeat failures.
Body Control Module (BCM) failure
Internal failure of BCM leading to intermittent wiper dysfunction and cascading electrical failures. Owners report multiple electrical symptoms tied to BCM malfunction, including dashboard warning lights and component failures.
When: First observed at 46,563 miles; other owners report failures at various mileages across the vehicle's life
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent wiper failure during operation; Multiple dashboard warning lights flashing or remaining illuminated; Gauges going wild on dashboard; Radio controls and button failures; Cruise control engagement/disengagement issues
Codes mentioned: Service ESC, Service Traction, Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostic cost $117.82; parts and labor quoted at $514.10. Brake light switch replaced twice by another owner without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under 100K-mile powertrain warranty or 36-month bumper-to-bumper warranty once mileage exceeded limits. GM offered only 10% discount toward repair; no recall issued specifically for BCM.
Reduced engine power / power loss on highway
Vehicle suddenly loses power and drops speed from highway speeds (40–70 mph) without driver input. Check engine light, Service Traction, or Service ESC lights illuminate. Owners report speed drops from 68 to 35 mph, creating collision hazard.
When: Occurs at highway speeds; intermittent behavior with some occurrences after repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden reduction in engine power without warning; Speed drop from 68 mph to 35 mph or faster deceleration; Service Engine Power light illuminates; Service Traction or Service ESC lights on; Engine stalls or struggles to accelerate; Vehicle jerks during acceleration up to 40 mph (especially in cold or hot weather)
Codes mentioned: Reduced Engine Power Light, Service ECM Light, Service Traction, Service ESC
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report spent over $2,000 on diagnostics including fuel pump replacement, throttle body cleaning, fuel injector service, spark plug checks, and MAF sensor replacement (twice) without resolution. Mechanic shops unable to diagnose root cause; false codes thrown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall issued. Owners report online research shows pattern among 2007–2009 Aura owners with no definitive fix.
Tail light circuit failure / rear light outage
Rear tail lights fail intermittently or completely. Fuse blows repeatedly (10 AMP #6 position). Owners unaware lights are out because front lights remain functional, creating hidden safety hazard.
When: Intermittent failure; one owner reports 10 repair shop visits in one year
Symptoms owners cite: Rear lights fail without warning; 10 AMP fuse blows intermittently; Bulb replacement does not resolve issue; Front lights unaffected by failure; No warning to driver that rear lights are out
Repairs/costs cited: Owner unable to afford full electrical system diagnostic; restricted to daytime driving only due to repeated failures.
Headlight and door lock circuit failures
Low beam headlights fail to operate; power door locks lock and unlock without key input or driver control. Doors may not unlock from inside, trapping occupants.
When: Reported at 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlights non-functional; Door locks cycling on and unlock without ignition or key; Doors unable to unlock from inside; Occupants trapped in vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Cause not diagnosed or repaired by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Cruise control intermittent failure / engagement loss
Cruise control fails to engage or drops unexpectedly during operation, often coinciding with brake light circuit malfunction and stability control warnings.
When: Intermittent throughout vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will not engage; Cruise control disengages unexpectedly; Difficulty engaging or disengaging cruise control; Issue linked to brake light malfunction and ESC/traction warnings
Codes mentioned: Service ESC, Service Traction
Repairs/costs cited: No independent repair noted; owners report issue resolves temporarily when vehicle turned off and on.
Remote starter and key fob malfunction
Remote start function stops working; key fob buttons non-functional except panic button. Battery replacement does not resolve issue.
When: Reported intermittently; one case in winter 2013
Symptoms owners cite: Remote starter quit working; Key fob buttons do not work; Only panic button functional after battery replacement; Issue appears tied to broader electrical failures
Repairs/costs cited: Batteries replaced without resolution.
Turn signal / multifunction switch issues
Turn signal lever sticks or requires manual hold to function; turn signal does not auto-cancel after turn completion.
When: Ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Left turn blinker won't turn on and stay engaged; requires manual hold; Right turn signal stays down after turn but won't return to neutral position; Electrical noise heard in steering wheel when vehicle stationary
Tire pressure monitoring system malfunction
Tire pressure sensors display incorrect readings despite replacement and battery changes. False warning lights illuminate.
When: One sensor replaced one year prior; issue persists
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure sensors do not display correct pressure readings; False tire pressure warning lights; Issue persists after sensor replacement
Codes mentioned: Low Fuel warning (false)
Repairs/costs cited: Right side tire pressure sensor replaced.
Electronic door lock intermittent failure
Power door locks cycle on and off independently; lock buttons on driver and passenger sides fail to function. Occupants unable to lock or unlock doors from inside.
When: Reported at 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic locks lock and unlock without engagement; Lock buttons fail to work on driver and passenger sides; Locks fail both while parked and while driving at 40 mph; Manual lock/unlock latch required on rear passenger door
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recalls apply.
Power steering loss
Power steering abruptly fails while driving, forcing sudden steering effort increase. One owner nearly side-swiped another vehicle when turning left through intersection.
When: At least one report at active driving condition
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering lost while turning left through intersection; Sudden loss of power steering assistance
Codes mentioned: Power Steering warning light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall cited by owner does not include VIN despite same failure mode.
Engine fire / catastrophic electrical failure
Vehicle fire erupted on engine compartment front passenger side and rear during low-speed driving. Check engine light illuminated before fire; vehicle veered right. Owner sustained second-degree burns.
When: At 160,000 miles while driving 25 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated; Smoke and flames from front passenger side and rear of vehicle; Vehicle veered to right side of road; Fire required fire department to extinguish
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; owner sustained second-degree burns on arms and legs requiring medical attention.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; no police report filed by owner.
Moonroof water leaks / electrical damage from moisture
Moonroof leaks repeatedly despite multiple paid repairs. Owner attributes cascading electrical failures (radio controls, key fob, brake lights, reduced engine power) to water intrusion from leaks.
When: Ongoing issue since vehicle purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Moonroof leaks despite multiple repairs; Water intrusion suspected cause of radio control failure, button malfunction, key fob failure, brake light issues, and reduced engine power symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid multiple times for moonroof repairs; GM claims not responsible.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM states they are not to blame for moonroof leaks.
Security system lockdown / anti-theft malfunction
Security system randomly disables engine and locks vehicle, treating it as stolen. Requires battery disconnect to reset. Occurs approximately every other week.
When: Recurring intermittently, approximately every other week
Symptoms owners cite: Security system randomly activates theft lockdown; Engine disabled entirely until battery unplugged; Autostart feature no longer works as result
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose or repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership states unknown cause and unable to assist.
Transmission shift issues / automatic transmission rough shifting
Transmission shifts unnaturally between gears; jerks during acceleration. One owner reports vehicle shifts unnaturally between 4th and 6th gears at highway speeds (50–70 mph).
When: Ongoing; one case at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking when accelerating (especially in cold or hot weather); Vehicle stalls during acceleration; Unnatural gear shifts between 4th and 6th gears between 50–70 mph; Transmission checked and flushed but reported in good condition by one shop
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's transmission flushed and checked; reported in good condition despite jerking symptom.
Dashboard warning lights erratic behavior
Service ESC, Service Traction, Check Engine, and other dashboard lights flash, illuminate, and reset unpredictably. Lights often illuminate when no fault is detected.
When: Intermittent throughout vehicle operation; some cases report daily occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Service ESC light flashes or remains illuminated; Service Traction light illuminates; Check Engine light on and off erratically or stays on; False warning lights (tire pressure, low fuel); Bing noise door ajar warning when using turn signal; Gauges on dashboard go wild; Lights illuminate together (ESC, Traction, Check Engine, Power Steering, Reduced Engine Power)
Codes mentioned: Service ESC, Service Traction, Check Engine, Reduced Engine Power, Service Power Steering
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple diagnostic attempts yield false codes; one owner cited false MAF sensor codes. Lights reset when vehicle turned off and on, but recur during same drive or next drive.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
While turning left through a busy intersection power steering was lost and I almost side swiped another vehicle . The recall that is active does not include this VIN number , even though it had the same failure . I believe this should either be expanded or taken on by case . *tr
I began having issues with my car constantly jerking as the car accelerated up to 40mph. I assumed I must have put bad gas in my car since I visited a gas station I normally do not frequent. I took the car in and they claimed it was bad gas but here we are a year later with the same issues and clearly it was not bad gas and I got ripped off for replacing my fuel pump and having to pay for a…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 52,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.