Before you buy
This 2009 Saturn Aura has 389 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Steering Defects.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2009 Saturn Aura Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2009 Saturn Aura trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2009 Saturn Aura Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
SATURN AURA 2009 has 389 NHTSA complaints, with steering defects accounting for 209. There are 5 recalls and 12 crash-related complaints. Buyers should inspect steering and transmission before purchase. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Saturn
- Model
- Aura
- Model year
- 2009
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 389
- Crash-related complaints
- 12
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 26
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 22 / 33
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2009 Saturn Aura problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Transmission / Drivetrain, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2009 Saturn Aura?
The 2009 Saturn Aura is a high-risk purchase due to an extremely high number of steering complaints. Only consider if a thorough inspection and repair history are available, and be prepared for potential steering issues.
Steering defects can lead to loss of control, and the high complaint count suggests a widespread issue. Other frequent complaints like transmission and electrical problems add to ownership costs.
May Suit
This year may suit a buyer who is mechanically inclined, can perform or afford repairs, and is willing to accept higher risk for a lower purchase price.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking reliable daily transportation or those uncomfortable with potential steering and transmission repairs should avoid this year.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2009 Saturn Aura
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering system for play, noise, or leaks.
- Check transmission for slipping or harsh shifting.
- Test all electrical systems including stability control and lights.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system thoroughly.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and electrical repairs.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or brake issues.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2009 Saturn Aura, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2009 Saturn Aura has 389 complaints and 5 recalls. Steering defects dominate with 209 complaints, followed by transmission/drivetrain (65) and electrical faults (59). Crash-related complaints number 12. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Data for other model years is not provided, so no comparison is available.
Recall context: With 5 recalls, it is critical to verify all recall repairs have been completed before purchase.
- Steering defects account for 209 of 389 total complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints total 65.
- There are 12 crash-related complaints.
- Steering Defects (209 complaints)
- Transmission / Drivetrain (65 complaints)
- Electrical Faults (59 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2009 Saturn Aura complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Saturn Aura. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 209 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 65 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 59 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 59 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 40 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 29 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 21 | 7 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 17 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Saturn Aura. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My steering wheel started to randomly shake while I was driving this car through a car wash that I go through monthly. all of a sudden my wheel locked up and flashing warning signals appeared on my dashboard “SERVICE ESC” making me at a loss of electric power steering assist. I n…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The message "EPS Failure" was displayed. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campa…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making left or right turns on several occasions, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel became firm and required added effort to tur…
I was driving and all of a sudden I lost power steering and I had to get over pull over and I was freaking out I could have crashed my dash was saying service ecs
The car turned off while driving on the highway. The car just recently within the last year or so started giving us electrical problems. The mechanic on August 14, 2025. Replaced the alternator, the second within 3 years. The battery replaced twice within 3 years, as well. Inte…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 20 MPH or slower, the power steering function failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the loss of power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the si…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the transmission failed to shift properly, and the vehicle jerked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel s…
Lost power steering while driving. The power steering warning came on. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I turned it back on the power steering returned. An inspection at the Zeigler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood in Chicago on 4/19/2025 confirmed that the power steering colum…
Electric power steering randomly disables assist but resumes with restart. Brake lights randomly illuminate and randomly stop working.
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering seized. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The message "Service ESC" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The co…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the fail…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. After immediately turning the vehicle off and restarting, the power stee…
Transmission fluid leaking and sometimes doesn’t want to accelerate
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel became firm with a message stating that the steering fluid level was low. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.…
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. Additionally, while driving 50-55 MPH, the transmission jolted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact…
Power steering keeps going off. Have to restart car to get it to work. Now it won’t work at all.
Wife has repeatedly mentioned loss of power steering and for a petite woman each incident was quite scary for her. I drove it for two days before it happened to me. It was much worse than simply a car with no power steering, which I've owned before. It seemed like something was a…
I went to the shop, and they said that my transmission was slipping, & that I didn’t have a third gear. Also they stated that it was a recall. There are leaks
Car will be driving fine and speed will drop dramatically .. safety issue in traffic can cause serious collision..
The contact's partner owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact's partner noticed that the brake lights randomly would illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Li…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Saturn Aura.
Safety recalls
2009 Saturn Aura recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Saturn Aura. With 5 recalls, it is critical to verify all recall repairs have been completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
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Questions
2009 Saturn Aura buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2009 Saturn Aura reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 389 owner complaints, 12 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2009 Saturn Aura is a high-risk purchase due to an extremely high number of steering complaints. Only consider if a thorough inspection and repair history are available, and be prepared for potential steering issues. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Saturn Aura?▾
#1: Steering Defects (209 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (65 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (59 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Saturn Aura?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Saturn Aura?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2009 Saturn Aura, NHTSA complaints include 12 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 389 total complaints. 10 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Saturn Aura have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Saturn Aura. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. With 5 recalls, it is critical to verify all recall repairs have been completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2009 Saturn Aura?▾
The 2009 Saturn Aura is a high-risk purchase due to an extremely high number of steering complaints. Only consider if a thorough inspection and repair history are available, and be prepared for potential steering issues. Steering defects can lead to loss of control, and the high complaint count suggests a widespread issue. Other frequent complaints like transmission and electrical problems add to ownership costs. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Saturn Aura reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.