Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
This vehicle has supposedly already been serviced under recall campaign number 14V252000. However, intermittently, the brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights don't illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty engaging or disengaging the cruise control, and crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features become disabled. The date given below for occurrence of the incident is just the most recent occurrence. This issue can happen on a daily basis and has been returned to the dealer that performed the recall service but nothing is found to address the incident.
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 transmission shifter assembly fractured on this 2008 Saturn Aura. This defect was issued a recall in 2014. https://auto-recalls.justia.com/saturn/aura/2008/14v224000/index.html This recall was completed. However this same assembly has once again fractured. The vehicle remains in drive even when the transmission lever is shifted into the parked position. There have been dozens of crashes and injuries reported, and this dangerous safety issue has been a known defect on over a million GM models. I believe that since this is a serious safety issue which has been proven to potentially cause injury and death, GM should cover it for as long as the vehicle is driven by owners.
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH in the rain, the "Traction Control Off" and "Stability Control Off" messages appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently shifted to third gear independently. The contact also stated that when he depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle switched gears to neutral and the windows opened. The contact stated that the vehicle was hydroplaning while driving. The vehicle was taken to a Pepboys location to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had lost connection with the body control module. The contact stated that he became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. …
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake…
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn Aura years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (46), 2009 (29) and 2008 (22) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Saturn Aura acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-252 (cruise control, May 14, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saturn Aura acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (8 mentions).
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.