While driving the car at all speeds, the car jumps in and out of gears while in drive. I have a 30 mile drive to work, and on average this happens 8 times. I have had my car to the dealership numerous times since I purchased the car new in 2008. Each time they take it for a test drive, and then tell me that they cannot reproduce the situation. Yet I take the car home, and not a mile down the road, it will happen to me. I now have just 60,000 miles on the car, and I'm hoping that I won't have to purchase a new transmission after numerous trip to the dealerships. While it was under warranty.
2008 Saturn Aura: complete transmission failure
8 of the 433 complaints about the 2008 Saturn Aura describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 99,850
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 73 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
2008 saturn aura. Consumer writes in regards to transmission shift cable recall repair issues. *smd the consumer stated she received a recall letter in november 2012. She scheduled an appointment at the dealer and the repairs were made in january 2013. However, sometime in early 2015, it became difficult for her to shift gears, particularly between reverse and drive. Finally on july 3, 2015, while trying park, the gear would not move from drive to reverse. After quite a struggle she was able to get the vehicle into park, remove the key and set the parking brake. However, when she tried to re-start the vehicle minutes later, the ignition would not start. With the vehicle still in park, with the parking brake set, the vehicle began to roll forward into another vehicle when the battery was being jumped. Fortunately, the consumer was able to stop the vehicle before it made contact with the other vehicle. In order to start the vehicle she had to find where the neutral was on the transmission;park on the gear was reverse for the transmission; drive for the transmission was between neutral and reverse; and park for the transmission was absent requiring the emergency parking brake to hold the vehicle in place. An independent mechanic replaced the transmission shifter cable and the bracket that was replaced back in january 2013. The original part, that was not a problem at the time, was replaced with a part that became a problem later. The consumer referenced recall # 12v460000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Also, the transmission failed to shift out of park intermittently and the four doors failed to lock. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was driving to work and my car seemed to shift oddly between second and third gears. Rough, jerky and revving when it didn't need to. When I was backing into my parking space in the garage, I put the car in reverse and it didn't have any power. It hesitated like it didn't want to go and then it finally moved. I had to do this two or three times to get into my parking spot and each time it was worse. I called the shop and had it towed because I suspected the transmission was having issues, and even saw online that there had been some recalls on the saturn aura for that year on the transmission, but the dealer said there are no active recalls on my vehicle. I need a new transmission now according to the dealer.
The car would not go forward or back up once you have stopped and take your foot off the brakes. The transmission failed without any warning. The warning light never came on; it had never stalled or jerked. After researching this make and model car, this is a common flaw. Another owner left the campaign number 12v460000 on the internet. I don't know the significance of this number. I do know that many owners are have the same issues with this car at 100,000 miles or 6 years after ownership. This is a $4,000.00 repair. Most all concerned have two years of car payments left owing on their cars. Gm has selectively chosen several individual owners and repaired their transmissions.
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 reverse at all and finally not engaging at all with engine revving in traffic causing a major traffic safety problem and narrowly avoiding an accident all in one day while attempting to reach transmission repair shop. My car has 99850 miles on it and the 5 years elapsed in january of this year. Although the car has been vigorously maintained with oil changes every 3k, transmission, brake, and antifreeze fluids changed on schedule this failure occurred like many other horrified owners about as close after expiration date and mileage as one could possible imagine. I assumed that my aura would be performing well until at least the car was paid for. Now with blue book for value and subtracting what I still owe and estimated $4000 repair the options are dismal. Researching on line revealed a host of people plagued by the same problems with their 6 speed auto/paddle transmission in 07-2010 saturns. Can the federal safety agency be of any relief via interceding with general motors to do a recall or provide dispensation due to the extreme safety hazard for saturn drivers but the general public as well?
Tl* 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 taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician replaced the transmission control module and clutch plate. The approximate failure mileage was 102, 725...updated 03/18/13 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle also did not go to drive, only 2nd gear. Updated 04/26/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was placed into park with the brake pedal engaged, the transmission failed to recognize that is was in park. The failure recurred intermittently and became progressively worse. An authorized dealer was notified of the defect. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also made aware of the problem. There was an open concurrent investigation under the federal safety agency action number ea11015 (power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) that could possibly have been associated with the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 7/18/12
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- Power train
- This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic...
- Power train
- This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required...
- This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission...
- This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for...
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V224000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 12V460000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Saturn Aura transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
8 of 433 owner complaints about the 2008 Saturn Aura (2%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Saturn Aura?
There are 2 recalls and 73 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 25Adaptive cruise 22Won't start 20Loss of power 19Check engine light 17Airbag light 14Won't shift 14Jerking 13Steering noise 13Harsh shifting 11Headlights 9Stalling 8Rollaway 7ABS 5Engine failure 5Overheating 5Steering lock-up 5
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