Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
I was adjusting the seat height as I was cleaning the vehicle, and I heard a snap/pop sound. The right side of the seat was not being supported up and I could also jiggle the side forward and back. The only position that feels OK is completely lowered, but the right side still can move slightly both forward and backward. I have removed the seat from the car and there is a weld failure of a tube that extends across the front of the seat, and on the back of the passenger side, a bracket connected to a steel tube snapped from the tube. While I don't mind being low in the car, I am concerned that the driver side May give way.
Drivers seat track broken. Weld between a cross tube and the tracks broke which appears to be a common problem with GM cars of a certain type during this same year as well as before and after 2007. Seat now is not stable, it rocks because it dropped down in the back left rear of the seat. Unstable drivers seat is not an ideal situation for maintaining control of the vehicle under certain maneuvers.
Driver seat frame weld broke under normal usage. While driving under normal conditions, the back left of the driver seat "popped" and sank about 2 inches. Seat no longer stable. Mechanic confirmed that the weld had failed.
I have had problems with this car since shortly after purchase, most of which have never been repaired even after several attempts by dealership, passenger airbag turns off even with passenger in seat, heated seats come on by themselves, I gave up on repair of those long ago, but they are minor compared other problems I any several other owners of this car as you can read at edmunds.com consumer discussions, this cannot be coincidence, traction control, water pumps, clunking in the steering column and most recently check engine light issues, which in the process of more than one mechanic/dealership trying to figure out what is wrong with this car I have paid for what I would call unnecessary repairs, finally my local dealership tells me GM has told them the timing chain is stretched, I'm assuming GM knows this because they have other vehicles some 2007 models with a timing chain …
While driving my 2007 Saturn Aura with power driver seats. The drivers seat was just about half way elevated and while dropping a friend off going up-hill on a windy road - I began to feel the drivers seat moving in the motion of the turn. After a couple other occasions it became an issue as the drivers seat felt crooked while driving and more pronounced that it affected driving as the seat moved even more as the days progressed and dangerous as it could have caused me to turn into something more-so or accelerate without cause; due to the imbalance in the drivers seat. One remedy to this situation is the fully lower the seat so that the brackets are at it's lowest position. Although I don't prefer to be that close as the drivers seat is normally a little higher it does cause inconvenience. Not only to me, but other drivers that use the vehicle. …
Two times ? I originally had the drivers seat frame replaced while under warranty in April 2009. Recently in December 2012 it broke again. Obviously the seat frame is a poorly engineered product. The issue causes the seat to lean into the center of the vehicle and rock when turning to the right and sometimes it simply clunks downwards without warning. The fact that the clunking down is sudden, it is quite startling and very distracting from what's is going on road. I attempted to secure some assistance or financial offset for the second seat frame through GM?s customer assistance center to no avail. The car sat at the dealership for five days while GM's cac supposedly deliberated on my request and only to return it to me in worst condition due to their inspection. I'm not a super heavy guy, I average 230 lbs. …
On 14th dec 2010, while driving my 2007 Saturn Aura in town I heard a loud crack and the rear left side of my drivers seat dropped. I had to slow down as my foot left the gas pedal, awkward position and dangerous because if I was out on the highway, I could have lost control. I drove to the nearest Chevy dealer as Saturn is now closed. The dealer advised that the frame of the seat broke. I was told I would need to purchase a new frame at a cost of $1200. I refuse to pay this for a leased vehicle. The vehicle has just over 43500 miles on it. I have now parked the car and will not drive it as it is not safe. If I had been in an accident, the seat failure could cause serious injury or death as it is an integral part of a vehicle's safety systems. I am waiting on GM area rep to get back to me as to whether or not they will cover the cost. …
One of the structural welds in the driver seat frame has broken loose while driving. I called Saturn customer service and explained the issue. They set up an appt with my local dealer to have it looked at. The dealership agreed with me that it was a defective component and in their exact words (nothing you (the owner) could have done, would have caused the weld to break) my GM district specialist worked with her manager, the manager's final decision was that only half the costs ($400 of the $800 total) would be covered since the car is out of warranty. I asked to speak to the manager about the issue and was advised that the manager will not take calls from customers. I offered to provide pictures of the break and was advised that they cannot receive email from customers. The pictures I have taken clearly detail the component was welded incorrectly and the dealership confirmed this. …
I was adjusting my electronic drivers seat when I noticed that right side wasn't responding to any vertical adjustments I tried to make. It still worked forwards and back so I thought nothing of it and started on my 2 hours drive to work. I discovered that whenever I banked left on the freeway that the right side of the seat would raise up and then slam back down because it was now loose. The mounting bar for the drivers seat was broken. It was dangerous to drive the this way - always bouncing around made it hard to steer straight. I took it to the dealer and was quoted $600 + labor to replace the seat. I did not have the work done. I took a metal hose clamp and secured the two broken ends of the mounting bar together then wrapped it with duck tape to keep the clamp in place. The seat still could not be raised or lowered but the fix worked for the last three years. …
While driving, there was a sudden loud snapping noise from underneath driver's seat. Seat tilted significantly to the right and was moving as if part of seat had detached from body of car. Upon parking and inspecting seat, it was discovered that a weld on a metal bar on the left side of the driver's seat track assembly had snapped, causing seat to shift and tilt uncontrollably, making car unsafe to drive. Power train warranty expires next month; bumper-to-bumper warranty already expired. Will be contacting Saturn service tomorrow to discuss necessary repairs / costs. Research shows multiple similar complaints: odi id numbers 10459205, 10428808, 10370757, 10362984, 10361625, 10312656.
Seat complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the seats of the 2007 Saturn Aura, 5% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › head restraint (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Aura seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats 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 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to seats 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.