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).
My car has been nothing but problems since I purchased it. The moonroof has leaked and I have paid to have it repaired several times even though GM says they aren't to blame. The leaks in the moonroof are only what I can start to attribute the electrical problems to. I randomly loose radio controls, have buttons that don't work, cant use my key fobs after replacing them and replacing batteries only the "panic" button will work. What takes the cake is the reduced engine power light that came on yesterday and the service ECM light, nearly killing us on the highway. I get reduce engine power but with no warning to go from 68 to 35 in the high speed lane is asking for death. …
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 GM needs to update the recalls on the 09 Aura. In the past 4 mos I have luckily survived 8 crashes, now, from total loss of power steering. No one @ GM/Saturn will help. They say my VIN# is not in the recall, but it is the exact same thing happening as is in the recall..complete loss of power steering. Triangle illuminates on dash & says ESC service power steering...dealer could not diagnose problem, couldn't get a code. I subscribed to on star so when it happened I would be able to get a diagnostic code, & luckily their computer diagnosed the issue, & got the codes which are the exact problems in the recalls code c0545 power steering, & c0561 traction control module not functioning. They now tell me I need a complete steering column, which dorman products says my VIN# is not in recall on steering shaft! …
The power steering in this vehicle randomly and without warning malfunctions. Initially, the problem occurred very sporadically, and only when the vehicle was first started up and still in park. Turning the vehicle off, and then back on remedied the issue. However, the vehicle will now lose power steering while driving, causing the vehicle to be very difficult to steer. So far, it has only happened at low speeds, typically when I begin driving after stopping at a stop sign, red light etc. When it occurs, it takes extreme effort to pull the car over to the shoulder. It's as if the steering wheel is locked. Once pulled over, restarting the vehicle resolves the issue, although sometimes it takes several restarts. This is a dangerous situation that now happens daily. I was told that my 2009 Saturn Aura was not a part of the 2014 recalls that addressed this issue. …
I was driving along the road and then the steering started to get real tight and then I received the message on the dash that there was a problem with the power steering and the ESC needed service. I took the car to a GM dealership and was told that it would cost $1700.00 to fix the problem. I have looked at all of the other recalls and see that there was a recall for the same problem and tried to see if Saturn/GM would fix the issue under the recalls and was notified that since I was out of warranty they could not do anything but contact the dealer that I talked to and see if they could help me with the cost of the repairs. It has now been about a week after I was told I should hear something back and still have not heard anything. I am still driving around without any power steering due to not being able to pay the repair cost. If there is this aprox. …
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. …
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.
As I pulled out of a parking lot to go left, my power steering went off. "ESC" came up in the message window, then "power steering" showed up. I could hardly turn the wheel. I pulled into a driveway, then drove home (which was only a block away). The car was difficult to turn the whole time. I parked in my garage, then wanted to check the car a few minutes later. I pulled out again then was able to steer with no problem. The notifications were gone. I rented a car for safety. When I called a dealer to ask about the recall I saw online for GM and Saturn, the receptionist told me it didn't affect my vehicle, per the VIN. I find it hard to believe that, coincidentally, the recalled issue is happening to my vehicle but I can't have it repaired per the GM recall.
This is the second time in the last year I lost use of my steering wheel. The first time, I was backing up and lost all control of my steering. I did not report it because there was not a warning light. Today, sept. 3,2015 I was driving through the parking lot of the school (May 2 to 5 MPH) when I lost all control of the steering. I wasn't able to turn the wheel either way, it was completely locked up. I stopped the car and turned off the ignition. After a copy of minutes, I restarted the car and it was fine. It was very scary knowing I could not control the car. I noticed older vehicles had the same issue and they had a recall. I believe the 2009 Aura should be investigated for the same recall.
Traction Control complaints in other Aura years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2009 Saturn Aura, 16% of the model year's 390 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Saturn Aura traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.