Saturn Aura Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Saturn Aura model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2010 drew the fewest (2) and the 2007 the most (607).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 2 | Air bags | — | 20–26 |
| 2000 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Steering | — | — |
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
390 | 4 | Steering | — | 20–29 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
432 | 4 | Power train | — | 20–27 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
607 | 3 | Power train | — | 21–27 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Saturn Aura years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Saturn Aura: 607 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 184 (30%); Service brakes 109 (18%); Electrical system 104 (17%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 6 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Saturn Aura: 432 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 124 (29%); Steering 112 (26%); Electrical system 92 (21%).
Reports mention 18 crashes, 1 fire, 9 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Saturn Aura: 390 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 210 (54%); Power train 65 (17%); Electrical system 59 (15%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 100,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Saturn Aura years with the fewest complaints
2010 Saturn Aura: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (50%); Exterior lighting 1 (50%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Saturn Aura: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 2 (67%); Power train 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Saturn Aura: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (20%); Electrical system 1 (20%); Latches/locks/linkages 1 (20%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Saturn Aura owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 390 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 100,000 |
| 2008 | 432 | 18 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 79,000 |
| 2007 | 607 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Saturn Aura recalls
- Brake Lights may or may not Randomly Illuminate (2007–2010 model years; 2,440,524 vehicles across all models; filed May 2014; 14V252000)
- Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (2008–2009 model years; 1,373,177 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V153000)
- Transmission Shift Cable may Fracture/Rollaway (2007–2008 model years; 1,131,113 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V224000)
- The Transmission Shift Cable May Detach (2007–2010 model years; 426,240 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2012; 12V460000)
- SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR/FMVSS 102 & FMVSS 114 (2009 model year; 276,729 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2009; 09V073000)
All 5 Saturn Aura recall campaigns · Saturn Aura problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Saturn Aura years FAQ
Which Saturn Aura year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2010 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Saturn Aura years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2008 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Saturn Aura problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (390 of 1,439 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Saturn Aura have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Saturn Aura. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Saturn Aura recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.