2007 Saturn Aura Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Cruise control
  6

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  617%
• 25k–50k
  411%
• 50k–75k
  1028%
• 75k–100k
  514%
• 100k–150k
  719%
• 150k+
  411%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Saturn Aura owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH in the rain, the "Traction Control Off" and "Stability Control Off" messages appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently shifted to third gear independently. The contact also stated that when he depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle switched gears to neutral and the windows opened. The contact stated that the vehicle was hydroplaning while driving. The vehicle was taken to a Pepboys location to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had lost connection with the body control module. The contact stated that he became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. …

Unknown Shifter locks and won't start. Driving on interstate and the engine started to rev up. The tac showed excessive pressure. Esc and traction lights appear. This car has only 110,000 miles on it.

The vehicle has been in and out of repair for the same problem, engines have been replaced but no solution has been found. When driving around 60mph the engine would stall and 'engine power reduced' and 'traction off' would flash, reducing the car speed and making acceleration near impossible- sometimes multiple times in one trip. Car accelerates very slowly and causes traffic buildup. RPM is at 5 (x1000)/min at just 30mph and the engine is making loud noises. Sometimes when stalled or at a red light the engine will cut out completely and the car will die. Almost consistently the car will rattle and shake in a pulsing matter. As previously mentioned I have brought it in to local repair shops and no one has been able to find a solution. Often times the engine is replaced but the problem comes back after a couple weeks.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced difficulty with the shifter and with acceleration. The contact stated when shifted into reverse the vehicle hesitated for twenty seconds before functioning normally. The contact stated it took a similar amount of time for the vehicle to accelerate after coming from a complete stop. The contact stated while shifted into park, the vehicle was still be able to move. The air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic to get the failure diagnosed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 45 MPH and turning into a parking lot, the contact was informed by another motorist that the brake lights were illuminated for approximately three miles. However, when the vehicle was stopped and the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights were not illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall for the same failure in September of 2014. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 77,054. Updated 08/30/16 the consumer went to another dealer, where the problem was fixed. Updated 10/26/16.

I was on my way to wal-mart. As I was driving my car all of a sudden wasn't going as I pressed on gas so I notice something strange was going on tried to shift it wouldn't downshift. Then I pulled into middle lane that is were it slowly stopped. Then I shut it off started my car again to go to a safer place it started, continue driving about less then a mile turned into wal-mart and as I was turning in car gas pedals and shift was not working. So it rolled and I was able to get into parkingnlot wal-mart. When I tried to reverse and make the car straight it would not move in drive only reverse. I parked my vehicle and called my husband cause I was panic that I almost got hit behind me till I pulled into center lane I didn't want to drive it.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that a recall repair was completed by the dealer and the failure recurred months later. The contact indicated that the cruise control feature failed to work and, when applying the brake pedal, the light did not illuminate. The brake light remained illuminated when it was not applied. The manufacturer's recall remedy did not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 02/05/16

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that upon pressing the accelerator pedal,the vehicle was slow to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The contact stated that the failure progressed and the traction control service warning light illuminated along with an additional warning lamp. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the exhaust manifold was cracked and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the cruise control failed to engage and all of the doors would not automatically unlock when the key was removed from the ignition switch. Also, the contact stated the vehicle jolted whenever the gears shifted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Brake lights illuminate when brake pedal not being pushed. Brake lights turn off when pedal is pushed. Electronic stability control fails when brake applied. Difficulty shifting out of park unless brake pedal applied.

Related recalls

Acceleration complaints in other Aura years