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 2009 Saturn Aura owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's partner owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact's partner noticed that the brake lights randomly would illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). Additionally, when the contact's partner was coming to stop while driving, the power steering failed. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The failure of the power steering occurred once. The failure of the brake lights was a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
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. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving at any speed, the brake lights remained illuminated when the brake pedal was not depressed. In addition, the cruise control would not engage, the traction control warning light illuminated, and the remote starter would not work. The vehicle was repaired in September of 2014 per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that on several occasions the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the bill marsh GMC dealer located at 1621 s. Garfield ave, traverse city, mi 49686, where the technician replaced an unknown switch on the brake pedal. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
My problem started with a left turn blinker, it wouldn't turn on and stay fixed. I have to hold it down. And if I would turn right it would stay down but when turn completed it wont go back up. Then when I start the car I hear it working extra hard and I hear electrical sound in steering wheel when stationed ...sensors on tire pressure was changed on the right...a year ago...but all tire pressure sensors still doesn't show pressure correctly. When breaking the wheel shaking badly after alignment.
The rear lights fail without warning. It blows a fuse (10 amp #6 position) intermittently. Front lights are not affected, so driver has no idea when their back lights are out. I have nearly been rear-ended at high rates of speed. This car has been in a repair shop 10 times in the last year. Everyone agrees there's a serious safety problem, but I cannot afford to offer an open check for them to go through the entire electrical system. Therefore, I am only able to drive in the daylight hours.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the brake lights illuminated independently. In addition, the cruise control ceased. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor 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 not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Headlight complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the lights of the 2009 Saturn Aura, 7% of the model year's 390 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Saturn Aura headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.