Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Saturn Aura owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. The contact also noticed an abnormal odor coming from the steering wheel. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. It was unknown if the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact experienced moderate neck pain and stated that she would be receiving medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
When driving with a front seat passenger the "service airbag" warning comes on and in the middle display on top of the dash board it says, "passenger airbag off." when I clear the message using the clear button on my steering wheel it will then say, "passenger airbag on." this happens several times each time I drive with a passenger in the front seat. It has been happening for several months. I took it to the dealer and after 10+ hrs of diagnostics, test driving, etc. They say I need a new passenger seat airbag module and sensor....at a cost of just more than $1,000. They have had several 2007 Saturn Aura's come in with the same issue. At this point they say it is not covered by GM as a warranty issue. I think it should be. …
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. The contact stated that after driving for five minutes at various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit until the ignition was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (tim lally Chevrolet, 24999 miles rd, warrensville heights, oh 44128) where it was diagnosed that the passenger side air bag needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the passenger side air bag would not deploy in the event of a crash. The contact would have to pay for the vehicle to be diagnosed and repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and provided case number: 899048. The approximate failure mileage was 53,300.
The passenger seat airbag light indicating that it is off comes on whenever the vehicle is started, regardless of occupancy in the passenger seat. Also, the 'air bag problem' indication, along with a warning 'beep' comes on at the same time, on the dash display unit. This can be removed by pressing the proper button on the steering wheel, allowing the odometer to be seen. To my knowledge, you have not asked for a recall, and I see no TSB's about this apparently widespread problem in 2007 Saturn auras. Ours has heated seats, which, I understand will make the repair more difficult and expensive. This is another example of GM's inappropriate means of cutting costs in safety related areas, such as the ignition switch troubles incurred on the 2005 ion.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator failed to illuminate when the passenger seat was occupied. The contact also heard a loud ticking noise when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the air bags could be the cause of the failure. The contact called OnStar to run a diagnostic test and was informed, which produced a code for the air bag. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
I have owned this 2007 Saturn Aura since 2017 and the service airbag light will come on intermittently whether there is a front passenger or not, sometimes the light will remain on for the entire time I'm using the car that day and then other times the light come on for a brief period and on rare occasions the light will remain off that entire day. It doesn't seem to matter if the car is in motion or at what speed this occurs, it seems to be totally random. This has been happening as long as I have owned the car that currently has 109,00 miles on it. As far as I know this car has never been in any accidents.
Since new, we have had passenger air bag issues, ie: not sensing an adult passenger. Brakes have been operating poorly, with rear pads wearing out, and front not. Four new master cylinders, pads & rotors with no improvement. Now mid 2018, strong gasoline smell from under rear of vehicle. I have seen where other saturns, have a fuel leak relating to the fuel pump fuel lines. I suspect the same for our car. Doesn't matter how full the tank is, and of course it is parked. Should be a recall on this defect. We live in texas where it is hot. We now have about 130,000miles on the car.
Passenger air bag light will shift from on to off randomly when a passenger is in the front passenger seat and the car is either stationary or in motion. Sometimes the service air bag notice comes on when a passenger exits the car, then goes away after a few seconds. The red warning light on the the dash does not stay on constantly, but will illuminate with the service air bag notice and then go out after a few seconds. This condition has occurred intermittently for the past two weeks. There is no way to know if the passenger air bag is functioning or not.
Takata recall: during work hours, when the car is parked out in the hot georgia summer sun all day I get a service air bag alert when I start it. I have been trying to park it under the trees when possible during the hottest days and this keeps the alert from happening for the most part. Sometimes though, this service air bag alert comes on for no apparent reason while I have been driving it for awhile as well. However, I am not on the airbag recall list. While at the mechanics, the alert would not come up and I was told to bring it back when it does.
Airbag complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Saturn Aura, 17% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Aura airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2007 Saturn Aura, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Saturn Aura airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.