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EnginePart report

2009 Saturn Aura Engine Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
4%of 390 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Saturn Aura, 4% of the 390 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“For two days when starting it made a weird noise but it sounded like the fan to the A/C might be going. Then my warning gauges started appearing warning of my air bag and oil. The next time I went to start the car the car would not start at all and the lights inside the car flashed and the car made a strange noise.”

NHTSA complaint #10893684, filed 2016-08, 86,000 miles

“I was driving home on hwy 59 and my 2009 Saturn AURA xe jumped into reduce power mode and cut off on me ,,this happens from time to time since I bought the car, also the engine rpms go high emgine lights cut on and codes says sensors and throttle body along with air mass box has a leak and I have to cut the engine take off the battery too reset the computer, my ABS sensors turn on and off and the exaust keeps having leaks in the muffler either behind the motor or under the car by the catalac converter ..”

NHTSA complaint #11373787, filed 2020-11, 185,456 miles

“I was making a left turn onto a one way. Traffic was clear enough to enter. My car sputtered and the ESC service light came on. Then service traction light. Then check engine light. I stepped off the gas then stepped back on it. The car then died. I was turning into 40 miles per hour traffic. I thought fast because there were 3 vehicles approaching quickly behind me. I hit the hazard lights. The car that was approaching slammed on brakes and blew at me in frustration. We sat in the middle of the street for several minutes. …”

NHTSA complaint #10567821, filed 2014-03, 66,000 miles

“On 12/06/2013 my pregnant daughter, my 15 year old and 2 year old daughter were driving home in our 2009 Saturn AURA. As she began to turn into a busy highway, the engine began to shake and the vehicle suddenly stopped mid turn in the middle of a busy intersection/hwy. Passer drivers pulled over and helped push my girls to safety. Aaa was contacted and the vehicle was towed to my home. I contacted the dealer and I was informed that my car was no longer under warranty and that I would have to cover the costs of servicing the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10576772, filed 2014-04, 101,040 miles

“Vehicle continues to lose power driving on highway over 40 MPH. Aaa contacted because the vehicle would not start. Aaa tested vehicle and noted that battery was good, alternator was good. Vehicle struggles to start at ignition. Vehicle is part of recall but when I run VIN at GM site it states my vehicle does not have an active recall. Esc and ABS light are always turning on and engine attempt to shut off at high speeds on fwy. Again, I call the dealer and my VIN is not part of active recall yet all safety and life threatening indications are there. Please advise.”

NHTSA complaint #10597681, filed 2014-06, 115,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2009174%
2008194%
20076411%

Other parts of the 2009 Saturn Aura

Steering
210 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
65 complaints
Electrical system
59 complaints
Electronic stability control
59 complaints
Brakes
40 complaints
Vehicle speed control
29 complaints
Exterior lighting
26 complaints
Air bags
21 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Seats
8 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Saturn Aura

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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