Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Saturn Aura owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The brake lights occasionally illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability Control) and was taken to the dealer and dielectric lubricant was added to the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector. The contact was unsure if attaching the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer and relearning the brake pedal home position was performed. The contact stated that the failure started 9 years after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The transmission shifter assembly fractured on this 2008 Saturn Aura. This defect was issued a recall in 2014. https://auto-recalls.justia.com/saturn/aura/2008/14v224000/index.html This recall was completed. However this same assembly has once again fractured. The vehicle remains in drive even when the transmission lever is shifted into the parked position. There have been dozens of crashes and injuries reported, and this dangerous safety issue has been a known defect on over a million GM models. I believe that since this is a serious safety issue which has been proven to potentially cause injury and death, GM should cover it for as long as the vehicle is driven by owners.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle jerked without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V460000 (power train) and 14V252000 (electrical system , electronic stability control , exterior lighting , service brakes, hydraulic , vehicle speed control) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
My wife was driving to work on the highway. All of the sudden the check engine light came on. The car reduced engine power. A message came up on the display saying to service the traction control. I took the vehicle to a GM dealer. They said it was the throttle body position sensor. The exact same incident happened to an acquaintance the week before in her 2012 Chevy malibu with the dealer determining the cause to also be the throttle body position sensor. The incident in my car almost caused my wife to be rear ended due to the dramatic speed change from going into limp mode all of the sudden at highway speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving at any speed, the cruise control failed. Additionally, the brake light illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact received a recall notice for the brakes a few months later and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
I was driving across the parking lot going to get something to eat. My son was in the rear left passenger seat. As I began turning the wheel, the car locked up, hesitated, then quickly sped up. Because there was no ability to gain control of the car, the vehicle stuck the curbside and then a tree. My son and I were not injured, only shook up. The incident was reported immediately and the adjuster informed me of the recall on the Saturn auras.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at 65mph and attempting to decelerate in order to switch into the slow lane, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the guard rail. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The approximate failure and current mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a building. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but diagnostic testing was not performed. The failure occurred twice. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
2008 Saturn Aura. Consumer writes in regards to body control module connection system recall notice issues. The consumer stated she experienced a problem with the traction control warning light illuminating, prior to the recall. The consumer attached the recall notice.
This is an issue I experience a couple years ago and discussed this with the dealer. It has since returned and is getting worse. Rear brake lights are on while the car is driving and in neutral although the brake pedal is not depressed. Cruise control will not function once the break light turns on. When the pedal is pressed lightly and the breaks engage slowly, the break lights will turn off. Upon moderate to heavy breaking the lights will then turn back on. This is a significant safety issue. Upon releasing the breaks I will have approx. 7 seconds where I can use the cruise control and the break lights are off before the lights turn on again and disengages the cruise control. During that 7 seconds light breaking will still not turn on the break lights. This issue is intermittent but is appearing more regularly. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake…
Acceleration complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Saturn Aura, 5% of the model year's 432 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Aura acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-252 (cruise control, May 14, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Saturn Aura acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.