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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2010 Ford Fusion vs 2010 Saturn Aura

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-28 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2010 Saturn Aura edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2010 Saturn Aura (4.7 versus 2.7). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

2010 Ford Fusion

2.7/5
Reliability score
5,122 complaints
3 recalls (0 critical)
$15,050 repair exposure
vs
More reliable

2010 Saturn Aura

4.7/5
Reliability score
2 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$0 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2010 Saturn Aura edges this comparison on reliability data (4.7 versus 2.7). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2010 Ford Fusion, know what you're getting into on steering and powertrain. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2010 Saturn Aura sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2010 Ford Fusion
2010 Saturn Aura
steering
1657 reports
moderate · ~$700
No reports
powertrain
774 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
No reports
airbags
548 reports
severe · ~$1,100
No reports
cruise control
494 reports
severe · ~$600
No reports
brakes
477 reports
severe · ~$450
No reports
engine
282 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
No reports
fuel system
208 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
No reports
electrical
158 reports
moderate · ~$850
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2010 Ford Fusion or the 2010 Saturn Aura?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2010 Saturn Aura comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.7 versus 2.7. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2010 Ford Fusion?

Compared to the 2010 Saturn Aura, the 2010 Ford Fusion sees more reported issues in steering and powertrain. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2010 Saturn Aura?

On the categories we tracked, the 2010 Saturn Aura doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2010 Ford Fusion. The two are running close.

Which has more recalls?

The 2010 Ford Fusion has more active recalls (3 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $15,050 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2010 Ford Fusion on NHTSA · 2010 Saturn Aura on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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