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2008 Saturn Aura: adaptive cruise control problems

22 of the 433 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Aura describe adaptive cruise control problems.

owner complaints
22
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
72,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Adaptive cruise control problems by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 160,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with cruise control activated, the vehicle lost cruise control functionality with the "Service Traction" message displayed. Additionally, the brake lights turned on unintendedly. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated; however, the brake lights would turn off while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Brakes · 142,500 miles · OH

While driving and not touching the brakes, the brake lights are illuminated as if you are braking. When you do apply the brakes, the brake light goes off and there is no indication that you are slowing and braking. The cruise control in turn does not work as it thinks you are applying the brakes at highway speeds. This has been a recall before for this car and was repaired but is happening again.

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

The cruise control in my 2008 saturn aura is not functioning. Service ESC and traction control lights flash on the dashboard intermittently. Brakes lights are on constantly, even when the brake is not applied. I took my car to a saturn-approved chevy dealer for service and referenced the federal safety agency recall #14v252000 from 2014. The mechanics checked the scan data and found the brake pedal learned position data was erractic in the body control module and won't hold the settings. They checked the circuits and connections (and supposedly reperformed the 2014 recall repair) but concluded that the fault is in the bcm. They suggested replacing the bcm, at a cost of $600. I explained to the mechanic that I believe the failing bcm is due to the voltage fluctuations that prompted the recall, left the dealership, and called gm. A senior advisor at gm explained that they will not do anything about the apparent safety defect because the recall did not require replacement of the bcm.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MN

Saturn aura 2008 tail lamp malfunction. I brought the vehicle to tustin gm for brake repair and brake light repair. I was told it was the brake light switch, I wasn't told anything about a recall. 2 weeks ago, I noticed my traction control, ESC and panic brake assistance were not working along with cruise control and a few other features. It occurred randomly after at least an hour of driving. I noticed after a few times this occurred my brake lights would illuminate while I was in park with the headlights off. I tested it, and they indeed turned off when I engaged my brakes, only to illuminate again when I disengaged my brakes. I was very nervous driving it home and had a few close calls on the city street stopping at stop lights. I brought this back to tustin gm's attention and they told me it's been corrected and it's now my responsibility to pay for the charges of fixing it. I refused and brought it to orange coast buick gmc and cadillac. They were unable to diagnose the issue and refused to believe that it had anything to do with the recall, wouldn't even check. I made a case with the manufacturer and they said my only option is to drive the unsafe vehicle until the problem occurs and then bring it into a dealer so they can find out the issue. They claim my problem does not correlate with the recall in any way shape or form, and have done everything short of calling me a liar. I now have a rental vehicle because I am depended on by my elders to bring them to and from appointments. I need my vehicle fixed, properly, and hopefully some type of cost assistance with the rental vehicle. The manufacturer also can't seem to tell me the exact date the recall was remedied. First they said january, then they said august. [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · 72,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. While driving at any speed, the cruise control failed. Additionally, the brake light illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact received a recall notice for the brakes a few months later and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 51,763 miles · MA

The brake lights on my car engage and disengage in no relation to the brake pedal being depressed. While driving, the brake lights will illuminate on their own and turn off when the brake pedal is pushed. Sometimes, the brake lights will turn off if the brake pedal is pulled up in the opposite direction. Repairs have been attempted on the following occurrences: july 21, 2011, july 27, 2011, august 21, 2012, march, 29, 2013, september 24, 2014, november 19, 2014. Repairs have included the following: brake light switch replaced (2 times); dielectric grease applied to bcm connectors (approximately 12 times); cruise control switches replaced; brake pedal home position recalibrated (2 times). The issue still has yet to be resolved, despite it being included in a gm recall from august 2014 number 13036, and having it twice been attempted under said recall. The gm dealership to which this car has been brought for the recall, colonial buick pontiac gmc in watertown, ma claims that they have done everything under the terms of the recall and if the problem persists than it must be paid by the customer. This is antithetical to the purpose of the recall, which is to fix the problem, despite the terms of the recall not fully addressing the error. The service people at the dealership claim that what should be fixed next is replacing the brake light switch, despite that having been replaced twice. The gm recall is not fully addressing the problem, and I, as the customer, should not be expected to pay for any costs associated with fixing the malfunctioning brake lights.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · SC

While driving down the highway after setting the cruise control it will just cut off by itself. Then will not reset when you try to set it again until the vehicle has been shut off and restarted. Sometimes the cruise control will not set at all. The last time it happen was on october 18, 2014, but it has happen several times I just do not remember the dates or the mileage. The mileage is estimated.

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 97,000 miles · FL

As I was driving to work after being in the car for no more than 15 minutes, my rear brake lamp went on while I was driving and would only shut off if I tapped on the brake pedal. Also my cruise control would not engage. This has continued to happen ever since. I feel this is a very serious safety hazard especially in traffic and the drivers behind me do not know when I am actually coming to a stop! Ironically, we received a recall notice last week regarding this problem. I have contacted both a local dealer and gm directly and neither party can tell me when the repairs will be made as there are no parts available. I am feeling extremely frustrated and helpless. There is also a recall out there # 14118 for loss of power steering dated last month and still have heard nothing further on this issue.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · MI

Brake lights are always on and my cruise control stopped working. The brake lights are a fairly large safety concern and I've read articles online that lead me to believe I'm not the only one dealing with this problem. Read something about faulty wiring causing problems with the cruise control and brake light...

Filed May 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 60,000 miles · NC

The brake light would illuminate without brake pedal being pressed. This happened on more than one occasion. Problems with the cruise control engagement. Problems with the traction control sensor coming on without cause.

Filed May 16, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 85,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. Additionally, the contact lost control of the vehicle when traveling over a puddle, causing the vehicle to spin in partially into the direction of oncoming traffic. The service traction control warning light was illuminated. Also, the contact stated that the cruise control did not function properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 50,000 miles · NY

This is an issue I experience a couple years ago and discussed this with the dealer. It has since returned and is getting worse. Rear brake lights are on while the car is driving and in neutral although the brake pedal is not depressed. Cruise control will not function once the break light turns on. When the pedal is pressed lightly and the breaks engage slowly, the break lights will turn off. Upon moderate to heavy breaking the lights will then turn back on. This is a significant safety issue. Upon releasing the breaks I will have approx. 7 seconds where I can use the cruise control and the break lights are off before the lights turn on again and disengages the cruise control. During that 7 seconds light breaking will still not turn on the break lights. This issue is intermittent but is appearing more regularly. During a recent 40 mile trip I could use the cruise control for a couple miles, then loose it for a couple more with the brake lights on, then regain normal functionality for a couple more, etc.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported May 14, 2014 · 2,440,524 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. 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. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Risk
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), 1‑800‑762‑2737 (Pontiac), 1‑800‑553‑6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Recall number 14V252000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2008 Saturn Aura adaptive cruise

Is adaptive cruise control problems a common problem on the 2008 Saturn Aura?

22 of 433 owner complaints about the 2008 Saturn Aura (5%) mention adaptive cruise control problems. The model year with the most reports is 2007.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Saturn Aura?

There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2008 Saturn Aura

Door locks 32Power steering loss 25Won't start 20Loss of power 19Check engine light 17Airbag light 14Won't shift 14Jerking 13Steering noise 13Harsh shifting 11Headlights 9Stalling 8Transmission failure 8Rollaway 7ABS 5Engine failure 5Overheating 5Steering lock-up 5

All model years of the Saturn Aura

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