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.
Saturn Aura steering lock-up problems
36 of the 1,440 owner complaints about the Saturn Aura describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 36
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical mileage
- 106,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 22Transmission failure 1Slipping 1Seat belt 1Premature wear 1Power steering loss 1Jerking 1Ball joint 1
Trouble codes mentioned
C0545 1
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
Ets or etc comes on randomly when it's wet and rainy traction control comes on constantly brakes are sticking trouble shifting gears power steering locked up has to have the power steering pump changed I recently bought this 08 aura and approximately 1month of having it the front passenger wheel broke off including control arm throwing myself in the car into the other lane of traffic almost causing an accident very terrifying also when the power steering pump went out and it broke the serpentine belt had to have that changed along with power steering pump oil leak low tire pressure checked light constantly on traction control light comes on and off constantly ectecs light comes on constantly bakhtar spend constantly when trying to go uphill like there is no traction when parking brake is applied all wheel steel spin as if the brake is not applied brake rotors and brake pads where wear out very often back brake caliber problems transmission seeming to slip years rpms are fluctuating core having problems exhilarating in the previous boxes to check axing what was wrong with the vehicle I was only allowed to pick three I have more than three to complain about suspension steering wheels ABS system ABS light comes on and off constantly every day fuel system and lighting lights come on by there self brake lights do not work or work when they want to fuel system is burning a lot of gas for no reason no acceleration from stop rpms fluctuating dashboard lights cut on and off cruise will not disengage tire sensor light comes on constantly every day all day
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.
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 Saturn Aura steering lock-up
Which Saturn Aura years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (24 complaints), 2007 (7 complaints) and 2008 (5 complaints).
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