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Air bagsPart report

2008 Saturn Aura Air bags Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
6%of 432 total for the year
Median mileage
63,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Saturn Aura, 6% of the 432 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Passenger airbag light. Airbag light does not remain on when a passenger of 115+ lbs is in the seat. I had the dealership check it and was told they could not find a problem. It was suggested that maybe the passenger was not sitting properly. Experimented with several different size passengers and the problem still persists. How safe is my passenger? Is the airbag activated even if the light does not stay on? Intermediate drive shaft---keep hearing a clunking/popping sound as well as feeling a pop under my feet on the driver's side. …”

NHTSA complaint #10671501, filed 2015-01, 80,000 miles

“My side or side curtain air bags did not deploy on my 2008 Saturn AURA. 1. I was driving on the highway in the far left lane at about 60mph. A vehicle behind me changed lanes erratically to the right crossing over 4 lanes of traffic. The car had to swerve back into the lane to her right when someone entered the highway. The car who changed lanes lost control of her car and went sideways across the lanes to the left and struck my right front passenger door with the front end of her car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10231651, filed 2008-06, 4,300 miles

“We purchased a 2008 Saturn AURA xe 3.5 v6 white in color in january from a carmax in newport news the first day we were supposed to take it home they didn't allow us because they said something about a airbag light so they replaced the battery,now a couple amounts down the road the passenger airbag stays off most of the time when a person of 120+ pounds sits in the seat its become a hazard as I have two teen boys and a daughter that have to ride in this car carmax wants to charge me to fix it when its supposed to be covered by warranty I need additional help this is very dangerous this car…”

NHTSA complaint #10598010, filed 2014-06, 65,000 miles

“The power train has failed the car won't start the fuses and relays are burning up and the transmission shifts so hard at a jolt almost. The service ecs ecm and service airbag indicator staying lit and the back passenger airbag looks like it's about to deploy it's a safety hazard I love my car I've only had it a year and I don't know what is happening or why.”

NHTSA complaint #11696847, filed 2025-10

“My vehicle’s make and model have received recalls as stated online, however, my specific VIN does not state any recalls. I am having the same symptoms with the airbags, electrical, and transmission as the recalls stated with my make and model. I believe there should be recalls for my vehicle’s VIN. My check engine light has been on, and it is not shifting the way it should. My airbag warning light also turns on at times.”

NHTSA complaint #11677968, filed 2025-08

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2009215%
2008266%
200710117%
2005120%

Other parts of the 2008 Saturn Aura

Transmission and drivetrain
124 complaints
Steering
112 complaints
Electrical system
92 complaints
Brakes
62 complaints
Exterior lighting
45 complaints
Electronic stability control
43 complaints
Other or unknown
32 complaints
Vehicle speed control
22 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
19 complaints
Seats
19 complaints
Body and structure
18 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Saturn Aura

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology