Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Saturn Aura owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall: granddaughter had a collision 26 aug 17, when she applied the brakes they traveled all the way to the floorboard and the airbags failed to deploy. She was traveling west at 30mph on arbrook blvd to the bowen rd intersection when a car in front of her changed lanes. She braked to avoid the car but collided into the rear end of the vehicle in front of her. Brake apply sensor (bas) "and disablement of crash avoidance features such as.... And panic braking assist features." usaa auto claim # 014301086-7103-8, police report: 2017 - 08380314, NHTSA # 14V252000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and the warning indicator went off. After approximately five minutes of driving the vehicle, the air bags warning indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the VIN was not included in the air bag recall. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator flashed approximately six other times and then stopped. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 118,557.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH on ice, the vehicle slid and crashed into a median, spun across three lanes, and crashed into a hill. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was informed that the frontal impact was not the initial impact; therefore, the air bags would not have deployed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
I was driving north on the hwy and the other person ran a stop sign and t-boned me on the driver side. My face and body smashed into the drivers door causing sever whiplash and some other things yet identified by an orthopedic surgeon. The drivers door and rear drivers door is smashed all the way to the seats, pushing on the seats and none of the airbags deployed. I am still seeing doctors to figure out what is wrong with my shoulder, neck and back. Needless to say medical care is still needed.
I was driving north on the hwy and the other vehicle ran a stop sign and t-boned me on the driver side. My face and body smashed into the drivers door causing sever whiplash and other things not yet identified by my doctor. The drivers door and rear drivers side was smashed pushing up against the seats (front and back) none of the airbags deployed. I am still seeing doctors to figure out what is wrong with my shoulder, neck, and back. Needless to say medical care is still needed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into the rear of a vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered a head injury and required medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 09/05/14
2009 Saturn Aura was hit both in the front and rear and it was a very severe accident; the vehicle was a total loss. No air bags deployed, causing the two passengers to be more injured than they would have been (if at all) had they gone off. The driver had a concussion and the passenger was severely bruised and broke both hands.
Even when my seat belts are buckled my seatbelt/airbags are dinging both passenger and drivers side... This is very annoying and needs to be addressed asap. I haven't had any accidents but feel they should be fixed for safety purposes.
Takata recall inflators airbag light shows up on my dash screen while driving never goes away while the car in motion even when on in park gear. As soon as the key is inserted to start the vehicle the reading shows up as long as the car is in motion. I do not know if this poses a risk but I am concern as too if the air bag might pop out while driving. Thank you for viewing. I am taking this as a warning that it could happen while driving. Also washer fluid reservoir tank has a blockage. Fluid does not come up high enough to clean the windshield. This May or not be under a recall. Concern about driving . Do not want the air bag to pop out.
The first incident was I were driving down the road and the reduce engine message came on. So later I drove and I got on a bridge and it shut completely down. So I waited for a while then it started back up. So the next day it started back, so I took it to a Chevrolet dealer and got a part put on. But the next day it was doing the same thing,so I took it back and they put a new part cause they thought the first one had a defect.so now its reading service ESC and power steering and wont say anything.and the brake light comes on while I'm driving down the road and the BCM goes up.
Airbag complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Saturn Aura, 5% of the model year's 390 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Saturn Aura airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2009 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 2009 Saturn Aura airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to air bags 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.