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2009 Saturn Aura transmission problems

65 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
65
of this car's complaints
17%
typical mileage
86,000
crashes
2
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    3
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Saturn Aura transmission problems in other years

20002005200720082009

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Saturn Aura transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 16Transmission failure 11Won't shift 9Slipping 6Hesitation 5

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported September 18, 2012 · 426,240 vehicles affected
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

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shiftReported March 6, 2009 · 276,729 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".
Risk
The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 and saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 09V073000 · Recall details

What 2009 Saturn Aura owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 27, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · 124,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Steering, Transmission · 126,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. Additionally, while driving 50-55 MPH, the transmission jolted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control), 14V153000 (Steering), 12V460000 (Power Train), and 09V073000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · MI

I went to the shop, and they said that my transmission was slipping, & that I didn’t have a third gear. Also they stated that it was a recall. There are leaks

Filed Dec 20, 2021 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while attempting to shift into PARK, the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated that the following day, the vehicle was unable to shift into PARK. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · NC

The brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights will 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. The car is available for inspection upon request. I am put at risk because there are multiple system malfunctions that occur that could result in a wreck or injury. The brakes selectively illuminating can result in a rear end collision and is not safe for travel. The traction control malfunction is unsafe for safe travel on the road. When the problem occurs the TSC will disengage with a light on the dashboard. The brake lights will stay illuminated.

Filed Sep 28, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · IN

The brake lights constantly stay on. The ESC alert/traction control alert always turns on. Acceleration and transmission issues. Rpms shoot up and jerks into next gear from when I turn the car on, and sometimes they happen after I've been driving and there was a recall on these models

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 185,456 miles · TX

I was driving home on hwy 59 and my 2009 saturn aura xe jumped into reduce power mode and cut off on me ,,this happens from time to time since I bought the car, also the engine rpms go high emgine lights cut on and codes says sensors and throttle body along with air mass box has a leak and I have to cut the engine take off the battery too reset the computer, my ABS sensors turn on and off and the exaust keeps having leaks in the muffler either behind the motor or under the car by the catalac converter ..

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · ME

The brake lights constantly stay on. When I hit the brakes, they go off for 5 seconds and then come back on. The ESC alert/traction control alert always turns on. Acceleration and transmission issues. Rpms shoot up and jerks into next gear. Sometimes these things are like this right from when I turn the car on, and sometimes they happen after I've been driving a little while. It has done this before and there was a recall on the car for it. I brought it in, and was fixed. About a year later it started again but I was told they didn't cover it to be fixed again.

Filed Jun 18, 2020 · Electrical, Suspension · 19,970 miles · CA

I bought this vehicle from I'm assuming the original owner I was informed there were a few quirks like the key won't come out of the ignition sometimes and the air conditioner sometimes works randomly.. I investigated the quirks and have found that when I put the car in park I'm not always able to remove the key it died somebody's eventually lunges forward as if it just went into gear and then the key is released the automatic door locks do not work and I am unable to determine whether the AC is due to a malfunction or if it's due to a electrical shortage however it also seems to when it goes out the front drivers headlight stops working I see that there are several recalls for this make and model and year how do I put the VIN number in it states that there are no open recalls on this vehicle.

Filed Sep 22, 2019 · Transmission · 107,244 miles · WA

I have a 2009 saturn aura, this vehicle was not recalled previously for the transmission issue, but I find now the transmission is going out on my car. It is only 10 years old and was wondering if somehow it was missed or something. It is slipping in the transmission and I was told that I would have to have a new transmission. It is worse in reverse. My car is now parked as I do not want to get out somewhere and have the transmission quit completely. I have never had a transmission go out this quick in a vehicle. There was a previous recall and I was wondering if somehow my car was missed or if something happened. Thank you

Questions about the 2009 Saturn Aura transmission

Does the 2009 Saturn Aura have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Saturn Aura, 17% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2009 Saturn Aura transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Saturn Aura transmission?

Yes, 2 recalls: 12V460000, 09V073000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Saturn Aura have bad transmission?

The Saturn Aura model years with the most transmission complaints are 2007 (184 complaints), 2008 (124 complaints) and 2009 (65 complaints).

Other 2009 Saturn Aura problems

Steering 210Driver assistance 61Electrical 59Brakes 40Acceleration 29Lights 26Airbags 21Engine 17Fuel system 11Seats 8Visibility 8Locks 3Seat belts 3Wheels 3Body 2Suspension 2Tires 1

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