general problems of the 2009 Saturn Aura - part 1

The car turned off while driving on the highway. The car just recently within the last year or so started giving us electrical problems. The mechanic on August 14, 2025. Replaced the alternator, the second within 3 years. The battery replaced twice within 3 years, as well. Internal dashboard light flickers. The car fails to start several times a month. The driver & passenger seats is not stable, it shifts or moves. The battery's pos and neg poles are extremely hot. Steering wheel stiffened up hard to maneuver. The above problems are ongoing throughout the years. My wife hears a popping sound coming from under the hood.

Lost power steering while driving. The power steering warning came on. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I turned it back on the power steering returned. An inspection at the zeigler Buick GMC of lincolnwood in chicago on 4/19/2025 confirmed that the power steering column needs replaced. I'm having it replaced, so the part will not be available for inspection. Thankfully, I was able to pull over right away after I lost power steering, so no damage was caused. This is the first issue I've ever had with my power steering in this car.

I went to the shop, and they said that my transmission was slipping, & that I didn’t have a third gear. Also they stated that it was a recall. There are leaks.

Car will be driving fine and speed will drop dramatically . . Safety issue in traffic can cause serious collision. .

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, while driving and making either right or left turns, the vehicle pulled in the opposite direction. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The bureau of automotive repair was contacted and the contact was notified of NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) and 14v153000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

The steering locked up when I was driving on the highway. It was scary especially because I was changing lane and this has happened several time now I can't even drive my car.

The contact's partner owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact's partner noticed that the brake lights randomly would illuminate. The contact said that this happened at any speed and related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, and electronic stability control). Additionally, when the contact's partner was coming to stop while driving, the power steering failed. The contact related this failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The failure of the power steering had only occurred once. The failure of the brake lights was recurring. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

I bought this vehicle from I'm assuming the original owner I was informed there were a few quirks like the key won't come out of the ignition sometimes and the air conditioner sometimes works randomly. . I investigated the quirks and have found that when I put the car in park I'm not always able to remove the key it died somebody's eventually lunges forward as if it just went into gear and then the key is released the automatic door locks do not work and I am unable to determine whether the ac is due to a malfunction or if it's due to a electrical shortage however it also seems to when it goes out the front drivers headlight stops working I see that there are several recalls for this make and model and year how do I put the VIN number in it states that there are no open recalls on this vehicle.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. On several occasions, while the vehicle was being driven, the rear brake lights illuminated independently when the brake pedal was not depressed. Additionally, the service traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per an unknown recall regarding the service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control. Freedom Chevrolet Buick GMC by ed morse (located at 8008 marvin d love fwy, dallas, TX 75237, (972) 330-4981) was contacted by phone and confirmed that the vehicle was no longer included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.

Engine power reduced, traction service esc, and also the brake lights are coming on when without me pressing the brakes.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake lights illuminated. While the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate; however, once the brake pedal was released, the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to moran Buick GMC (14000 telegraph rd, taylor, mi 48180, (888) 350-0669) where it was determined that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair was completed. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

I was driving and heard a weird noise. Then the abs light came on, the electronic stability control traction control system came on (service esc and service traction). Start the and driving down the street.

Takata recall when starting the vehicle power steering light comes on and the wheel is hard to turn after restarting the car a few times the light went off and the wheel is back to normal. Now when driving the wheel shakes and makes noise.

My problem started with a left turn blinker, it wouldn't turn on and stay fixed. I have to hold it down. And if I would turn right it would stay down but when turn completed it wont go back up. Then when I start the car I hear it working extra hard and I hear electrical sound in steering wheel when stationed . . . Sensors on tire pressure was changed on the right. . . A year ago. . . But all tire pressure sensors still doesn't show pressure correctly. When breaking the wheel shaking badly after alignment.

Takata recall its a bad thing that the power steering is electric so you can't monitor it yourself and when it's mess up in the middle of driving it's nothing you can do I was in motion on the highway switching lanes and the steering wheel got hard to turn out of no where so I pulled over and my power steering light was on I believe it has something to do with the power steering and electrical.

At 64,467 miles, while driving about 45 mph jerking of steering wheel occurred and power steering warning came on. Went off again. Keeps happening as tho it is shorting out while driving both at low speeds of 20 mph to 55 mph. Afraid to drive the vehicle now. Electrical steering motor is shorting out. Have not yet had repaired. Fear this car will cause serious harm, injury up to and possibly death if I continue to drive it.

Tl the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While the vehicle was parked and while driving 40 mph, the electronic locks would lock and unlock without being engaged by the contact. The lock buttons also failed to work on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle. The dealer had not been contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Traction control button (triangle on dash) will display then gauges start flickering back and fourth like an electrical issue and then on display it says service esc and car will not shift into gears and you cannot steer or control vehicle properly with these issues going on. I entered my VIN because there are recalls for these issues but it says my VIN was not recalled. Once car is shut off it will reset itself I guess but it has happened several times now.

Driving the car anywhere my car would drive good then sometimes lights start flashing service esc, power steering, low fuel and the gauges starts going wild on the dashboard, and my car would start skipping if I don't pull over off the road right away. This is so dangerous to be on the highway people are driving fast and crazy and when your car slows down on its own it could cause a wreck. I have children and it's scares me because I don't never know when the car would act up. It seems to be a really bad issue with these cars I'm hearing would've been nice to know this before I bought the car. This is a major issue for a car to act this his out of nowhere. I've taken it to the people I bought my car from and it never acts when I take it to them put I've should them videos that I've taken of what it's goin, so they are not trying to look deeply for the problem. And I'm very disappointed this is the only vehicle I have to get me and my children around & the car is in good conditioning besides what's goin on with the electrical part. I don't know what all can be done about this but hopefully somebody can look into the problem with this type of car. Thank you.

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While accelerating from a stop, the powering steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the steering wheel worked normally. The failure occurred a total of three times. The contact was informed by an eyewitness that the brake lights remained illuminated while driving; however, while at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the brake lights were not illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the failure and that there were recalls for both of the failures; however, the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering) and 14v252000 (electrical system) due to the extended mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 25 mph approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle restarted normally after a few minutes. The contact also stated that the failure occurred three other times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (axel rod Buick/GMC in parma, ohio) where it was diagnosed that the total control module failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,400.

Takata recall there is something wrong with the structure of the car there is rattle/vibration when going over 50 mph. Car has been maintenance twice in the past 2 years for electrical and break pad replacement and I'm still having a vibration and rattle sound while driving.

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). While driving 65 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and both exterior brake lights illuminated. The contact later depressed the brake pedal, but the brake lights failed to illuminate until the contact fully depressed the brake pedal. The failure recurred multiple times and at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that they could not assist and that the contact should pay for diagnostic testing out of pocket. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

My car has been nothing but problems since I purchased it. The moonroof has leaked and I have paid to have it repaired several times even though gm says they aren't to blame. The leaks in the moonroof are only what I can start to attribute the electrical problems to. I randomly loose radio controls, have buttons that don't work, cant use my key fobs after replacing them and replacing batteries only the "panic" button will work. What takes the cake is the reduced engine power light that came on yesterday and the service ecm light, nearly killing us on the highway. I get reduce engine power but with no warning to go from 68 to 35 in the high speed lane is asking for death. On top of it the more I've googled the issues it seems like this is an electrical problem gm is well aware of and never has done anything about from 2007-2009 Auras, there are a lot of people who say they've spent thousands of dollars at the gm dealership trying to solve their problems t =o be given no real answers. I am scared now to drive my vehicle again as the lights went off and it "seems" to be fine. I am even more scared to bring it to a dealership where if the lights aren't on they cant diagnose it, although it sounds like from what I've read even with lights on diagnoses' are poor and not accurate. Enough people are describing the same exact things going on with their vehicles how is there no definitive fix and why are people being sent back out on the roads with faulty cars. Not only that if 3 years worth of cars are having electrical issues all the same how is there no recall????.

The contact owned a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely tight and the power steering failed several times without warning. In addition, the shift lever failed to function properly. When the vehicle was placed in park, it rolled and the contact had to quickly apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. While driving 30 mph, a fire erupted under the hood. The contact was able to pull the vehicle into a fuel station. The fire department extinguished the flames. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 140,000.

This vehicle has supposedly already been serviced under recall campaign number 14v252000. However, intermittently, the brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights don't illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty engaging or disengaging the cruise control, and crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features become disabled. The date given below for occurrence of the incident is just the most recent occurrence. This issue can happen on a daily basis and has been returned to the dealer that performed the recall service but nothing is found to address the incident.

The contact owned a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving 25 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle inadvertently veered to the right side of the road. In addition, the contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the front passenger side and rear of the vehicle. As a result, the contact sustained second degree burns on both arms and left leg that required medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was unaware of a police report. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

I own a 2009 Saturn Aura. Last year, it was recalled due to a fault with a break light malfunction, causing the break lights to remain illuminated at all times. I took my Saturn in to my local gm technician to have the issue addressed at that time. Unfortunately, the issue has retuned to my vehicle within the last month, and my brake lights are constantly on while I'm driving the car, unless I actually use the break pedal, at which point, they go off. I am at odds with my local gm shop as to looking at this issue again (as it was a safety recall), and I'm hoping I can get some kind of authorization or voucher to perform this service again to take care of this already-recalled issue. Gm would like to charge me to perform a service diagnostic test, and cannot guarantee that the original terms of the recall would be honored. I don't feel it is right to spend money on a vehicle safety issue (under a recall, no less) considering that gm has already recalled my car once and this is the same problem I had in the past which prompted the original recall in the first place. It is dangerous to drive my car in its current condition, and I believe unfair for gm to take advantage of treating this repeat issue as a "new" issue. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated!.

While driving, the car suddenly reduced speed, engine light comes on stating to service traction. Had the car repaired. It happened twice since, each time a day after picking up the car from the dealership. The last time, Wednesday, October 28th, I was making a left turn, the car suddenly reduced speed, lights on. This is very dangerous. Contacted gm, no help at all!.

The security system randomly decides the car is being stolen and locks down the engine entirely until you unplug the battery. Happens about every other week and the dealership says they don't know why it would do that so they can't do anything about it. The auto start no longer works now as a result.

While turnig left through a busy intersection power steering was lost and I amost 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 .

My car has been clicking off the electrical power steering randomly since about last December or earlier and when the steering turns off then my electric stability control turns off and the abs brakes turn off all at the same time I am aware there is a recall for many of the Saturn Auras out there but my VIN doesn't show a recall for this particular car. If there is any information about this for my car in particular it would be of great help.

I was driving apx 40mph & my car had a slight vibration, or missing-feel, & suddenly the power steering locked up & steering wheel would not turn! I could not even budge it ,but luckily there were no cars around me & I managed to get to side of road. I turned my car off & got out & looked under hood. I saw nothing that looked unusual, but I am a woman & not mechanically minded. So I got back in my car & was going to call for help. I decided to start it to see what would happen & it started & everything was fine. It went back to normal! when all this happened it had flashed a msg across dash saying "esc power steering, service immediately" . Then, today I was turning onto a street & it did the exact same thing. Luckily again I did not hit the car on the street. I turned off & started again & it was ok again. I am now afraid to drive it anywhere! I have several electrical issues with this car, lights, locks, windows, things shorting out & a floating no control type feeling when driving at higher speeds, sort of like the wind is blowing me off the road. I found several recalls & contacted gm. They told me there were no recalls, then a few months later I get a recall notice on a part/recall I had called them about, so I do not trust what they say. Please advise , as I am afraid to drive this car. I do not want to go to the dealership near me which is orr/texarkana,TX 75503 because none of these problems happened until after they did the so-call recall repair on my car! someone please help me. I need my car but do not want to crash! thank you.

I have a 2009 Saturn Aura and on the morning of 10/22 while driving my vehicle, I experienced a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) exactly as described in gm recall id # 102639. Fortunately, I was able to pull off of the road steering manually without any problem and after I turned the car off and restarted the vehicle, the power steering began working again. After reading this recall notice, I'm very concerned that this could happen with my vehicle again and I might not be as lucky next time when it does. I contacted my local dealer and was told there was no recall listed for the power steering issue under my VIN. I found this surprising as this occurred exactly as was described in the aforementioned recall notice that I read online. I then called gm customer assistance and they confirmed that my vehicle is not included in this recall at the moment and I would have to bring my car in to the dealer at my own expense. I'm very concerned because I believe this is a serious safety issue as was outlined in this recall notice. I also find it surprising that only certain VIN numbers are included in the recall. Why is my 2009 Saturn Aura not included in the recall but others are when I'm having the exact same problem with my power steering?.

While driving to orlando with my kids at 9:03 pm last night, I nearly got rear ended on i4 east. I was a lil puzzled to why someone would flying toward my car as if I was a target, until the driver of that vehicle pulled up aside of me, screaming out "turn on your lights. " I immediately looked at my headlights and yelled my lights are on. Still a little confused, I pulled the car over, only to notice that my taillights weren't on. This morning the lights were on, now tonight they don't work I replaced the bulbs and, they don't work either. My car has had quite a few electrical problems, and a traction recall that had been repaired in 2010. I found out today that my car has been recalled for the same exact problem. I had to drive home tonight with my hazard lights on. What can I do? and how am I going to get around at night?.