Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the transmission and the power steering were inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking spot, the gear shifter failed to shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while trying to pull into a parking spot, the vehicle would not shift into gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed and repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V224000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The automatic transmission shift cable, has malfunctioned. The center piece that connects to the gear shift has melted, and prevents the car from starting and shifting gears. The damage was created due to high temperatures from the motor, being that it is very close to it. This should be replaced by the manufacturer.
When attempting to park, automatic gear shift would not engage and vehicle started to roll backwards. Once vehicle was turned off gear shift move freely but would not engage the transmission. Had to have vehicle towed as it would not start since the shift cable would not move into the parked position.
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 car does not seem to go into park when you do think you have it in park it isn't another gear and as lurched out and almost smashed a couple people that have helped me with the car it also seems to have a tendency to roll because it is not fully going in the park and I cannot even start it
On December 30, 2016, I started the vehicle and drove a half mile @ 25 MPH to a stop sign, I pulled onto ritchie highway when the vehicle would not shift out of second, the engine went to 4,000 RPM, and would not go over 35 MPH. I pulled off onto the shoulder, and turned the engine off. After waited 15 minutes. I started the engine and the check engine light was on. I than waited till I had no traffic, and returned home (1 miles away). The vehicle was sifting fine, but the check engine light stayed on' on December 31, 2016, I drove the vehicle to the GM dealership and the vehicle still had the check engine light on, but now when shifting, it would shudder, would not down shift, and was also shuddering in reverse when I was parking the vehicle at the dealership... I'm told on jan. …
'07 Aura xr. Purchased mid-January. Check engine light has been on since I bought it, with no issues other than an exhaust leak at the flex pipe. Started noticing loss of power on acceleration, attributed it to dirty injectors/bad fuel. Put in injector cleaner and premium fuel, car would not start. Finally started and took off only to have same issue, but now worse. Car would almost stall when accelerating from dead stop, have to keep accelerator pinned to the floor when starting, rough idle when running. Next step, replaced spark plugs. Did not fix problem, but still needed replacing. Checked codes: p0016 and p0017 (crankshaft position vs. Intake camshaft position correlation bank 1 fault). Have not taken to dealer to have assessed, but from everything I have read this is a stretched timing chain. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. While the vehicle was parked, it began to roll and crashed into a curb while the gear selector was in the park position. The vehicle was unoccupied during the failure. The contact was able to enter the vehicle in order to engage the emergency brake and stop the vehicle from moving. The front bumper sustained minor scratches. The vehicle was being repaired by an authorized dealer. An open investigation associated with NHTSA action number ea11015 (power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start switch; power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL) power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift) was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was 69,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Cable Failure
GM advised that the shift cable's protective outer conduit (jacket) deteriorates with time and use.Variables that affect jacket life include installation variability (routing, etc), environmental and temperature effects, and material quality.Jacket deterioration could lead to a tear of the conduit material which allows moisture to reach the lay wires, potentially causing them to corrode and weaken.The lay wires…
Transmission Shift Cable Failure
On April 29, 2014, GM submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 14V-224 to remedy the subject vehicles equipped with four speed automatic transmissions manufactured before October 31, 2007.On May 22, 2014 GM expanded 14V-224 to include MY 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx and MY 2005 - 2008 Pontiac G6 (total recall population 1,131,113).GM will install a replacement shift cable…
Transmission complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 184 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Saturn Aura, 30% of the model year's 607 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Saturn Aura transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014); NHTSA recall 12V-460 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 18, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Saturn Aura transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.