Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle lost cruise control functionality with the "Service Traction" message displayed. Additionally, the brake lights turned on unintendedly. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated; however, the brake lights would turn off while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
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
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.
When I'm driving the brake lights are on but when I step on the brakes to stop the brake lights go off. I've had people stop me while I'm at a red light to tell me that when I stepped on my brakes my brake lights go off, but they're on while I'm driving. It's very scary. I've taking it to my mechanic but they step on the brakes the lights come on.they come on while the car is sitting still it seems like when I'm driving is when the brake lights don't work right. I drive at night time and if I'm at a red light with no brake lights somebody might run into the back of me. I'm really anxious to know what's going on. Everything else with the car seems fine.
Brake lights activate when brake pedal is not being pressed. Lightly pressing on brake pedal deactivates brake lights. Fully pressing brake pedal will correctly activate brake lights. Upon releasing brake pedal brake lights will deactivate for some time before activating on their own. At first this started happening occasionally but has progressed to happening at all times including when stationary in park, and in motion. Due to the brake lights being active when the brakes are not being applied other drivers are not able to determine what I am doing, creating an unsafe situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the brake lights were not functioning. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). Heidebreicht Chevrolet (located at 64200 van dyke, washington, mi 48095, [phone]) replaced the brake light bulbs, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. While attempting to enter the rear of the vehicle, the contact was unable to unlock the rear driver and passenger doors. Additionally, while driving various speeds, the brake indicator illuminated independent of the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Headlamp, low beams keep going out. It starts with one side then I replace it then the other side goes out. They driver side replaced worked for a month then went out then the passenger side lasted from October 2017 till jan 5 2018. I keep replacing the low beams. It cost 100$ every time one is replaced. I actually tried replaceing all 4, and still one low beam went out I replaced one then next month another one went out.
Headlight complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Saturn Aura, 10% of the model year's 432 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Saturn Aura headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.