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 brake light comes on by itself for no apparent reason it will turn on like you Are braking this could cause and accident it also will slip out of park for no rhyme or reason also which is scary I park on a.hill and luckily I had my wheels turned towards the curb so it didn't move when it happens multiple times
My 2008 Saturn Aura had the transmission shift cable safety recall completed. The same rollaway condition has returned. GM and the dealer refused reinspection and repair, stating the vehicle 'has lived its life.' This recall addresses a known rollaway safety risk, and the condition still exists.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH down a hill, when brake pedal was depress and failed to stop/low down the vehicle. The contact stated she heard an abnormal noise while trying to divert the vehicle to the right shoulder of the road. The contact stated after pumping the brake pedal several times she was able to slow the vehicle to a stop. The contact stated she saw smoke coming from vents on the dashboard. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely and saw fire coming from the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. …
Recall oct 2014 for body control module BCM was fixed by dealer (reedman toll, langhorn, pa). About 3 weeks ago my car started doing the same thing. Brake lights go on for no reason (even if the car is parked with no one in it); touch break pedal lightly and brake lights go out; touch harder and they come back on. Riding down road message is displayed on dash "service traction" then "ESC off". This is exactly how it worked before the recall. It does this most days but not all. Sometimes the brakes lights work correctly. Sometimes when driving with the problem, the problem seems to correct itself after a while and then comes back (on the same trip). Called same dealer and they said they can only fix a recall once and that I would have to pay to have it fixed again. I ride the pa turnpike everyday and have notice several GM cars that have the same problem. …
I was driving down the highway about 6 am it there was some snow on the ground. As I was driving my traction control keep going on and off. At that time I didn't know why it keep going on and off. The only problem I thought I had was for my brake light to randomly come on. Which I didn't know it cause all other functions to completely go out. I wasn't going but 35mph when all of a sudden I was spinning and in the ditch. I grew up driving in the snow knowing to drive a front wheel drive car in the snow it's better than a rear. Not until this winter have I had a problem. In this incident I spun completely out of control nothing that I could do to try and prevent it. Yes I know the snow is not safe conditions to drive in. I have clean record not once have I been into a wreck nor had problems driving in the snow. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. In addition, the service brakes and electronic stability control indicators illuminated, and the brake lights remained illuminated without depressing the brake pedal. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (sutliff GMC in state college, pa) were notified, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) in 2014, but the failures recurred. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Was in back to back traffic using brakes often, when I tried to use the brakes it was not working, the car run into another car in front of me, damaged the entire front of my car. To repair this car it will cost xxxxxwhich is as the value of the car. The car involved had very little damage only my Saturn Aura has serious damaged. I have had this similar issues with the breaks previously. On the Saturn Aura reviews they are few brakes problem reported. This 2008 Aura was manufactured in 2007. There is many 2007 Aura reported brakes problems. I want to pursue an investigation and possible replacement or reimbursement from the manufacturer. Please advice me if I should fix the car or if I should get a lawyer or what I need to do.
I was parked in my driveway and I had my foot on the brake, I noticed I could not see the brakes lights illuminating. I had my friend push the brake pedal and I got out and looked at the brake lights. All three brake lights are not illuminating when the pedal is pressed. If the car is running they still do not work, just the LED's in the tail light assembly get brighter when the pedal is pressed. We have recently taken the Aura to the GM dealer for the BCM recall, they put in a spacer and added di-electric grease. It was functioning properly since the recall. On May 4th I realized the brake lights were no longer working. Also the power locks work intermittently on the car. Some days the locks work, other days they don't (very erratic).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While parked, the brake lights failed to illuminate when activated. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that brake apply sensor circuit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting ,service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the tail lamps remained illuminated until the brake pedal was depressed. The failure occurred without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended until serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) at dunn Chevrolet Buick located in oregon, ohio. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 231,000.
Brake complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Saturn Aura, 14% of the model year's 432 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Aura brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Saturn Aura, though it has 4 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 2008 Saturn Aura brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries 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.