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).
The brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights will not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features. The car is available for inspection upon request. I am put at risk because there are multiple system malfunctions that occur that could result in a wreck or injury. The brakes selectively illuminating can result in a rear end collision and is not safe for travel. The traction control malfunction is unsafe for safe travel on the road. When the problem occurs the TSC will disengage with a light on the dashboard. The brake lights will stay illuminated.
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.
I own a 2009 Saturn Aura. Last year, it was recalled due to a fault with a break light malfunction, causing the break lights to remain illuminated at all times. I took my Saturn in to my local GM technician to have the issue addressed at that time. Unfortunately, the issue has retuned to my vehicle within the last month, and my brake lights are constantly on while I'm driving the car, unless I actually use the break pedal, at which point, they go off. I am at odds with my local GM shop as to looking at this issue again (as it was a safety recall), and I'm hoping I can get some kind of authorization or voucher to perform this service again to take care of this already-recalled issue. GM would like to charge me to perform a service diagnostic test, and cannot guarantee that the original terms of the recall would be honored. …
When I bought the car last year the dealership said they installed brand new brakes but they where still squeaking so I just thought it was because of the new brakes but a month later my brakes and rotors and calipers were completely gone it costed me $1200 to replace them but then 2 months later again it started doing the same thing my brakes wore down completely so I asked my uncle to look at them and change them for me so he did and now my brakes are doing the same thing they grind very loud and squeak and I didn't buy no cheap brakes either they where top performance brakes another problem I had what's my control module in my transmission went out as I was driving on the high way my speedometer wasn't working and my car moved slowly and made a loud noise so I replaced it and it's working for now then my doors won't unlock I'll hit the unlock button in the car and the key chain but …
2009 Saturn Aura stationary shows messages "service traction, ESC off, service ESC" constantly on the gauge cluster. Alongside the messages the ABS light and the ESC off icon is constantly on in the gauge cluster. When the vehicle was driven the message "pwr str" referring to power steering showed on the gauge cluster then disappears. Upon researching these issues, I have found that NHTSA and GM have issued recalls and tsbs regarding these issues, however the VIN for my vehicle does not show its under recall. I suspect this May be the case of vins not included in the recall system. NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000, 14e044000, 14V153000, 14V252000, I have contacted GM and was told my vehicle is not covered under recall and must be taken to a dealer for diagnostics under case number 8-440138641. …
The brake lights of my Saturn Aura would automatically self-activate exactly 5 seconds after the driver placed the vehicle into drive. The brake lights would stay active until the driver pressed the brake pedal, at which time the brake lights would actually deactivate. My son was driving the car on I-94 and was almost struck by a semi truck when my son pressed the brake pedal and the brake lights deactivated (turned off). I had the car serviced at GM and had to pay a total of $697.03 to get the car fixed even after I notified the service representative that this exact electrical failure was outlined for this exact car in GM recall #13036. The recall referenced the body control module and brake sensor, both of which were replaced causing me to pay $697.03. This is my second notification to the NHTSA, I reported this on June 19, 2019 (NHTSA # 11221201) but I have received no response. …
I have a 2009 Saturn Aura xr, I was driving to get on the freeway going about 40-45mph then the light can on saying "ESC traction" "engine power reduce" the car started to lose power and the brakes felt really tight. I tried to accelerate but it wouldn't go no faster than 30mph. I exited the freeway parked the car turned if off and turned it back on. When I turned it back on the same problem "ESC traction" "engine power reduce" and the check engine light was on, the car was on parked position and the car started to jolt forward. I had to wait for about 1-2 hours before the car was back to itself but this time it felt different driving it. The car felt like it was accelerating too quickly and I wasn't going no more than 15mph. This has happened 3 times in the past month. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. On several occasions, while the vehicle was being driven, the rear brake lights illuminated independently when the brake pedal was not depressed. Additionally, the service traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per an unknown recall regarding the service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control. Freedom Chevrolet Buick GMC by ed morse (located at 8008 marvin d love fwy, dallas, tx 75237, [phone]) was contacted by phone and confirmed that the vehicle was no longer included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). While driving 65 MPH, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and both exterior brake lights illuminated. The contact later depressed the brake pedal, but the brake lights failed to illuminate until the contact fully depressed the brake pedal. The failure recurred multiple times and at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that they could not assist and that the contact should pay for diagnostic testing out of pocket. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake lights illuminated. While the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate; however, once the brake pedal was released, the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to moran Buick GMC (14000 telegraph rd, taylor, mi 48180, [phone]) where it was determined that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair was completed. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Brake complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Saturn Aura, 10% of the model year's 390 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Saturn Aura brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death 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.