This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Saturn Aura steering problems
moderate 210 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
210
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 210 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Saturn Aura, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Steering accounts for 54% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 210 steering 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Electric power steering assist fails without warning in 2009 Saturn Auras, sometimes multiple times per month. The steering wheel locks or becomes so stiff the driver can barely move it—owners describe it as worse than driving a car with no power steering at all, because something seems to actively resist turning. The failure happens during startup, at low speed, on the highway, or while turning. A dashboard warning light comes on (Power Steering, Service ESC), but by then the driver is already fighting the wheel. Restarting the vehicle temporarily fixes it, but the failure recurs unpredictably.
The real problem: GM issued recalls (14V153000, 14E044000, 14116B) for this exact failure, but only for certain VINs. Many 2009 owners have the identical symptoms but their VINs don't match the recall list. GM repeatedly tells these owners their cars aren't included, even though the part failed the same way. Some dealers refuse to repair recalled vehicles over 150,000 miles. Repair costs run $1,300–$1,700 for steering column replacement; one owner had the power steering motor already replaced, then learned the real culprit was the torque angle sensor. The steering can also pull left or right unpredictably and won't center, or the column creaks and shakes. Associated electrical gremlins—speaker failure, window malfunction, alternator and battery failures—plague these cars. One owner reported eight power steering failures in four months and was told she owned a safety hazard.
Same Saturn Aura steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Assist (EPS) Loss—Sudden and Intermittent
The electric power steering assist fails without warning, rendering the steering wheel extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Some owners report the wheel becomes locked or requiring extreme force. The failure can occur during startup, low-speed maneuvering, or highway driving. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores steering function, but failures recur unpredictably. One owner reported eight incidents in four months.
When: Most commonly reported between 100,000–180,000 miles; some as early as startup or low mileage; no consistent pattern. One owner reported steering vibration progressing to complete loss around 135,000 miles over nine months of intermittent failures.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or extremely stiff, difficult to turn; Power Steering warning light illuminates on dashboard; Service ESC or ESC warning light displayed; Steering wheel shaking or vibration before or during failure; Temporary fix: turning vehicle off and restarting restores function; Failure occurs unpredictably; may happen on startup, at low speed, or during highway driving
Codes mentioned: C0545 - Steering Wheel Toggle Sensor, C0561 - Traction Control Module Not Functioning, EPS warning indicator
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported steering column replacement; $1,300–$1,700 repair costs cited. Another paid $1,300 for column replacement plus rental fees after dealer initial misdiagnosis. One mechanic stated no serviceable parts available—entire steering column had to be replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V153000 (Steering, Electric Power Assist System, issued 2014) covers some 2007–2008 Auras but explicitly excludes 2009 models in many cases per VIN lookup. Recall 14E044000 (July 2014, Steering component) also excludes many 2009 VINs. Recall 14116B (Steering Torque Angle Sensor) covers vehicles through mid-2008, excluding 2009 models. GM and Saturn repeatedly tell owners their VINs are not included in recalls despite identical symptoms. Special Coverage Adjustment #15356 offered for some, but mileage limits (150,000 miles cited) exclude high-mileage vehicles. Some owners report GM dealers refuse repairs on recall vehicles due to mileage. No warranty coverage offered for out-of-warranty vehicles.
Steering Torque Angle Sensor Failure
The steering torque angle sensor fails, causing power steering loss. One owner had the power steering motor replaced for the same issue, then learned the root cause was the torque angle sensor. This defect is explicitly covered in Recall 14116B but only for vehicles manufactured through mid-2008, leaving 2009 models unrepresented.
When: Occurred after the same component (power steering motor) had already been replaced; exact mileage not stated in primary narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure requiring extreme force to turn wheel; No early warning; failure occurs randomly during driving; Warning chime may not sound if driver-side speaker has also failed
Codes mentioned: Steering torque angle sensor defect (per dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer identified as the root cause. One owner previously had power steering motor replaced for the same failure mode, suggesting recurrent defect in the steering system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14116B explicitly covers torque angle sensor failures but only for Auras manufactured through mid-2008. 2009 models are ineligible despite having the same defect.
Steering Column Failure and Rack-and-Pinion Wear
Steering column fails after power steering assist loss events, requiring full column replacement. One owner's mechanic determined the entire steering column needed replacement with no serviceable parts available. In one case, a rack-and-pinion was diagnosed as failed at very low mileage (44,000 miles), though conflicting diagnoses were later provided.
When: One case at 44,000 miles (rack-and-pinion); column replacement following EPS loss typically occurs after the vehicle has accumulated significant mileage and experienced multiple power steering failures.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or extremely difficult to turn after EPS loss; Abnormal sounds from steering column (whining, creaking, squeaking); Steering jerks or pulls left/right unpredictably; Steering wheel shakes at idle or while turning
Codes mentioned: C0545 - Steering Wheel Toggle Sensor (associated diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: $1,300–$1,700 reported for steering column replacement. Mechanic stated no serviceable parts; entire assembly had to be replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V153000 covers some steering failures; however, many 2009 VINs are excluded. No warranty extension offered for these repairs.
Intermittent Steering Pull and Drift (Soft Steering Failure)
The steering pulls left or right like the vehicle is in a rut and will not center. The pull alternates between sides, causing the driver to fight the wheel back and forth to keep the car in its lane. This can occur at any speed including highway driving. Steering may appear normal for weeks, then return. Dealer inspection sometimes finds nothing; failure is intermittent and hard to reproduce.
When: Intermittent failures; one owner reported improvement for about three months before recurrence. Another noticed it began on pavement after regular driving but not on gravel.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pulls left or right unpredictably; Cannot return steering to center; jumps to opposite pull; Drift back and forth in lane fighting for control; Steering wheel shakes while sitting still (associated symptom); Lasts from one minute to several minutes before resolving; Can occur at any speed, including interstate
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had dealer check but no diagnosis was made. Failure resolved for several months, then recurred.
Multiple Warning Lights and Associated Electrical System Failures
Service ESC, Power Steering, Traction Control, Check Engine, ABS, and ESC OFF lights illuminate together or separately. These warnings appear on startup, while driving, or both. Some owners report lights going away after restart, while others report persistent illumination. Associated electrical issues include speaker failure, window malfunction, door lock failure, and battery problems.
When: Warnings appear throughout vehicle ownership; speakers reported failed before steering issues; electrical problems described as ongoing over several years.
Symptoms owners cite: Service ESC warning light illuminates; Power Steering warning light; Traction Control warning light; ESC OFF icon; Check Engine light; ABS light; Dashboard dinging or chiming (when working); Front speakers (driver and passenger) fail, preventing warning chimes from playing; Power windows, door locks, and internal lights short out; Floating, no-control feeling when driving at higher speeds
Codes mentioned: C0545 - Steering Wheel Toggle Sensor, C0561 - Traction Control Module Not Functioning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced passenger speaker at own cost; driver-side speaker still non-functional. Another replaced alternator twice and battery twice within three years. Battery terminals reported extremely hot.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls directly address the electrical system integration. Owner reports initial denial of recalls, followed months later by a recall notice for parts previously called about. Owner expresses distrust of GM's recall information accuracy.
Synthesized from 210 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
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 went back to normal.
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 could be completely read. *tr
Wife has repeatedly mentioned loss of power steering and for a petite woman each incident was quite scary for her. I drove it for two days before it happened to me. It was much worse than simply a car with no power steering, which I've owned before. It seemed like something was actively working to prevent the steering wheel from turning. The force required was at my own limits to steer…
I was pulling out of my job, and all of a sudden my car started slideing a little to the right and I had no power steering. Then in my dash it kept blinking power sterring ESC, its done it 3 times now..ive taken it to gm motor and pep boys and because it didn't happen to them they wont fix it.
I bought my 2009 Saturn aura in september of 2015. Just recently in december of 2016, whenever I started the vehicle, the steering wheel would begin to vibrate followed by the power steering warning light illuminating. Upon driving the vehicle, the power steering goes completely out at anytime. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn aura. While driving various speeds, the power steering stopped working and the power steering warning indicator illuminated without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Power steering intermittently goes out while driving, only way to get it back is to restart the car. Happened 4 times within 30 minutes while driving on the highway.
My car pulls to the left despite having it aligned 3 times at 2 different shops. The power steering has failed completely 3 times within the last 3000 miles. Failure was noted as power steering whine followed by a blown hose or seal and loss of all fluid and power steering assistance. There is a recall #14116 for my make model and year which matches the symptoms of my problems but when…
The power steering fails intermittently while driving causing the vehicle to become extremely difficult to steer. This can happen at any speed and in any conditions.
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 210 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 172 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 85,000 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 124,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 150,000. 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 $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.
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.