Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that she was calling on behalf of her deceased son. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing failures with the electrical system. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights would fail to illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that her son had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who had informed him that the brakes needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
While driving 55 on a busy two lane highway the vehicle dinged and read service traction control on console, immediately the it flashed engine power reduced and engine disabled and my car lost all power and I was unable to get it all the way off the road due to the uphill incline - the car behind me shot out into oncoming traffic and almost caused a major multiple car pile up. The car restarted after sitting a few minutes with reduced engine power for the first twenty miles - I could top out at about 45 and hear an electrical engagement sound. I took it to the dealership but the traction control and engine lights were gone by the time I got there and it was back up to power. I was told it was likely a sensor on the brake pedal and they had to order the part. It has disabled on me about five times now without warning and does so at any speed. …
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.
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.
So today driving to work car ran fine got off my exit came to the red light and stopped. When I gave it gas to go the engine reved up and went but very slowly then it stopped reving and drive fine. Then on my way home did the same thing till I went to pull on to the street I live on and had to wait for traffic my car would not move but rev the engine. Husband is checking transmission fluild levels. But has never dun this in the year I have had this used car. Not sure what to do now. Have ready a lot of fourms and alot of people having the same issues. But no recall
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the brakes locked randomly without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster and the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 06/29/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the third brake light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred two days later. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 78,500.
Approximately 30 days ago, I started experiencing issues where the car will not shift from park gear to drive gear. This issue has occurred approximately 10 times during this window. Sometimes when this issue occurs the ESC light is on while other times the light is off. The only way to "trick" the car from shifting to park to drive is to turn the car off, press on the brake pedal or emergency brake to ensure car is still in park and gently push and hold the gear shift button then crank the car back on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the exterior brake lights failed to illuminate and an abnormal noise was heard after the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was remedied per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Brake complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 109 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Saturn Aura, 18% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Aura brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes 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.