Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (25.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Power Train complaints here are 3.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 112 · 25.9% | Recalled | Recall 14V224000 · Recall 12V460000 |
| Steering | 111 · 25.7% | Recalled | Recall 14V153000 · Recall 14E044000 |
| Electrical System | 89 · 20.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V252000 |
| Service Brakes | 59 · 13.7% | not available | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 43 · 10% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 42 · 9.7% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 432 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2014 · reported 05/14/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · 2014 · reported 03/31/2014
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E044000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V460000 · 2012 · reported 09/18/2012
If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“TRANSMISSION FAILURE SUDDENLY IN MY 08 SATURN AURA XE 6 SPEED AUTO/PADDLE SEDAN SYMPTOMS INCLUDE WITH OUT WARNING: SLIPPING IN FORWARD GEARS, NOT WORKING IN…”NHTSA complaint 10514342 — filed 05/30/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“I HAVE A 2008 SATURN AURA XE WITH ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT AND RECENTLY IT STARTED JUMPING GEARS WHEN I GET TO 40-45 MPH…”NHTSA complaint 10508068 — filed 04/12/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN AURA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10496523 — filed 02/05/2013 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 112 of 432 NHTSA complaints (25.9%), followed by steering (111), electrical system (89), service brakes (59). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
432 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V224000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
