2008 Saturn Aura Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 124about this part
- Share
- 29%of 432 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 124 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Saturn Aura, 29% of the 432 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I shifted the gear into reverse to back out of my driveway but was unsuccessful in selecting the drive gear to move forward. I managed to stop the vehicle and shut off the engine to prevent an accident. I have not been able to select neutral or park to start the engine again.”
NHTSA complaint #11269817, filed 2019-10, 80,000 miles“Driving entering the freeway when my 1008 Saturn AURA suddenly when into neutral mode while the gear lever was still on drive. The felt like it went to neutral - pressing on gas RPM is up but the car was not responding. Truck was behind me almost hit me.... I have read up on the issue its there are a lot of similar story about this event.”
NHTSA complaint #10672543, filed 2015-01, 147,000 miles“2 years ago I complained to GM concerning the car moving when it was in park to no avail. On wed my grandson was approaching the stop sign in the auto would not shift. As he I tried to put the car into reverse it would not back up. I had him drive to the end of the cu-de-sac where we could turn around and brought the car home where it has sat.”
NHTSA complaint #10593873, filed 2014-05, 138,000 miles“I was driving out of a parking space and the car kept moving when the brakes were in use. I attempted to put the car in drive and the car kept moving backwards. When I put the car in park, the vehicle continued to move as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11290944, filed 2019-12, 151,000 miles“I was driving to work and my car seemed to shift oddly between second and third gears. Rough, jerky and revving when it didn't need to. When I was backing into my parking space in the garage, I put the car in reverse and it didn't have any power. It hesitated like it didn't want to go and then it finally moved. I had to do this two or three times to get into my parking spot and each time it was worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10607204, filed 2014-06, 98,150 milesRelated recalls
- 14V224000Apr 30, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014…Covers: Saturn Aura 2007–2008, Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2008, Malibu Maxx 2004–2007 +1 more
- 12V460000Sep 18, 2012General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a…Covers: Saturn Aura 2007–2010, Chevrolet Malibu 2008–2010, Pontiac G6 2008–2010
Related service bulletins
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10247768Sep 1, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10237387May 30, 2023This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 10237659May 15, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Saturn Aura
112 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsBrakes
62 complaintsExterior lighting
45 complaintsElectronic stability control
43 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
19 complaintsSeats
19 complaintsBody 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 30, 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