The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the transmission failed to shift properly, and the vehicle jerked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
2009 Saturn Aura: steering wheel locks up
24 of the 390 complaints about the 2009 Saturn Aura describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 122,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 20 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a turn, the steering seized. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The message "Service ESC" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering became functional; however, the failure recurred while driving back to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the next available appointment was in 3 weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
The steering locked up when i was driving on the highway. It was scary especially because I was changing lane and this has happened several time now I can't even drive my car
One day I was own my home powersteering locked up
Vehicle steering locked up while in motion on a city street. After parking and restarting again the steering functioned, came to find out that this model has an electric steering system and does not permit steering fluid to be added.
While driving down a city street, the traction light indicator lit up and the dashboard flashed 'ESC off' and 'traction off' and the steering wheel locked up. It was very difficult to steer my car into a parking lot and out of the heavy flow of traffic.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn aura. While driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering motor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn aura. The contact stated that the warning indicator illuminated for the eps, and the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn each time the failure occurred. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle due to the failure. The dealer (autonation buick gmc west sahara, 6400 west sahara avenue, las vegas, nv 89146, (702) 605-5808) was notified and was supposed to respond to the contact, but had not followed-up to provide an appointment to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer issued two eps recalls, but the vehicle was excluded. The manufacturer also issued 11 tsbs. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn aura. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the electronic stability control warning indicator displayed prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column and ESC needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched the failure and found a recall online. The contact called berger chevrolet (2525 28th st se, grand rapids, mi 49512, (616) 949-5200) and was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn aura. While accelerating from a stop, the powering steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, the steering wheel worked normally. The failure occurred a total of three times. The contact was informed by an eyewitness that the brake lights remained illuminated while driving; however, while at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the brake lights were not illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the failure and that there were recalls for both of the failures; however, the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v153000 (steering) and 14v252000 (electrical system) due to the extended mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000. *ln updated 8/21/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn aura. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where the steering wheel resumed normal operation after many attempts. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saturn aura. While driving at various speeds and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not affected by the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
- Steering
- This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of...
- This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information on electric power steering loss of...
- Steering
- Steering
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2009 Saturn Aura steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
24 of 390 owner complaints about the 2009 Saturn Aura (6%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2009.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Saturn Aura?
There is 1 recall and 20 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2009 Saturn Aura
Power steering loss 76Loss of power 35Check engine light 17Engine failure 17Jerking 16Adaptive cruise 14Transmission failure 11Stalling 10Won't shift 9ABS 7Airbag light 7Headlights 6Slipping 6Wipers 6Won't start 6No deployment 5Door locks 5Fuel smell 5Hesitation 5
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