2007 Saturn Aura Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 10, 2026 · 184 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 87,645 miles. The words owners use most often: “emergency brake” (11% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Emergency brake: mentioned in 20 of 184 complaints (11%)
  • Shift cable: mentioned in 19 of 184 complaints (10%)
  • Put park: mentioned in 17 of 184 complaints (9%)
  • Wave plate: mentioned in 11 of 184 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2007 Saturn Aura at $4,300, and half of them between $710 and $5,150.

Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 156 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles3 · 2%
10k–25k miles3 · 2%
25k–50k miles10 · 6%
50k–75k miles42 · 27%
75k–100k miles43 · 28%
100k–150k miles44 · 28%
150k+ miles11 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 184 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 2 an injury.

Saturn Aura power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2007, with 184 complaints
2000: 1200012005: 1200512007: 18420071842008: 12420081242009: 65200965

n = 375 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2009 Aura6517%85,500
2008 Aura12429%84,000
2007 Aura18430%87,645
2005 Aura120%112,335
2000 Aura133%90,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 49 complaints
2007: 2200722008: 112009: 3200932011: 23232012: 352012352013: 30302014: 492014492015: 992016: 5201652017: 882018: 4201842019: 442020: 2202022021: 552022: 1202212024: 112026: 220262

n = 184 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (2)

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shiftApr 30, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · 1,131,113 vehicles

Problem: General 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, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)Sep 18, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V460000 · 426,240 vehicles

Problem: General 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 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

Risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Unknown Shifter locks and won't start. Driving on interstate and the engine started to rev up. The tac showed excessive pressure. Esc and traction lights appear. This car has only 110,000 miles on it.

Received Jul 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11749533

The automatic transmission shift cable, has malfunctioned. The center piece that connects to the gear shift has melted, and prevents the car from starting and shifting gears. The damage was created due to high temperatures from the motor, being that it is very close to it. This should be replaced…

Received Jan 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11714057

The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the transmission and the power steering were inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle went…

Received Mar 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11574842
Saturn Aura
2007 Saturn Aura photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2007 Saturn Auras have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 184 owner complaints about power train for the 2007 Saturn Aura (30% of the 607 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2007 Saturn Aura power train?

Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 87,645 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura?

Owners report a typical cost of $4,300 (half paid between $710 and $5,150), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2007 Saturn Aura?

The most frequent phrase is “emergency brake”, in 20 of 184 complaints, followed by “shift cable” (19).

Other 2007 Saturn Aura problems

See all 2007 Saturn Aura problems or power train problems across all Aura years.