Is the 2007 Saturn Aura a bad year?
606 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 184.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2007 Saturn Aura were filed between 64k and 105k miles. You're at 88,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2007 Aura owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 88,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 184 (30%) | 64k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 109 (18%) | 40k–101k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 73 (12%) | 47k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 104 (17%) | 60k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 101 (17%) | 34k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 72 (12%) | 60k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 65 (11%) | 46k–110k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 46 (8%) | 52k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 41 (7%) | 58k–108k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 34 (6%) | 76k–129k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 31 (5%) | 47k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (1%) | 32k–85k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Traction control | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 88,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 606 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I parked the vehicle at the airport in honolulu hi. Placed the shifter in park, removed the key and started to get out of the vehicle when it started rolling down the hill.
In march 2009 there was a recall on the shift cable for the 2008 and 2009 Saturn aura but not on the 2007. I own a 2007 aura and the shift cable recently snapped in half while driving.
I've been having problems shifting from park to reverse. The car would jolt when I put it in reverse, I had this problem for 2 months before the incident happened.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 88,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2007 Saturn Aura: 4
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure. A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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… 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.
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate. If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Saturn: 282
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2007 Saturn Aura. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Diagnostic aid information/procedures to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Transmission Shift Cable Failure
Transmission Cable Failure
Neighbouring years
2008 Aura: 432 complaints, consider selling.
Every Saturn Aura year
2000 · 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All Aura years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn ION · Saturn LS · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Sky · Saturn Vue. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2007 Saturn Aura a bad year?
606 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 184. At 88,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2007 Saturn Aura were filed between 64k and 105k miles. You're at 88,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Saturn Aura?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (184), brakes (109), exterior lighting (73), electrical system (104), air bags (101). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 64k–105k miles.
How many recalls does the 2007 Saturn Aura have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 14E044000), Speed control (NHTSA 14V-252), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 14V-224), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 12V-460). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.