Check a VIN

Saturn Aura steering noise problems

19 of the 1,440 owner complaints about the Saturn Aura describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
19
worst model year
2008
typical mileage
25,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Harsh shifting 4Won't start 1ABS 1

What owners say

Filed Sep 7, 2018 · Steering · 97,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saturn aura. While driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel made a popping noise while being turned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a front end alignment and the contact was informed that the passenger side tie rod needed to be replaced as part of the alignment. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e044000 (steering). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 27, 2018 · Steering · 60 miles · KY

The sec, and power steering light comes on with dinging noises.

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Transmission · 157,000 miles · MI

While my daughter was driving on a city street utica road and gratiot in roseville mi the engine shut off without any warning. Luckily no one was behind the car when it shut off or on the freeway at the time or it could have been a bad situation or accident. The car would not start back up just clicking in ignition when turning key in the ignition. Had to call for a tow at 10pm. Shop said something went wrong with timing chain and compression test showed no compression in cylinder 4 possibly bent valves. I recently received a letter from gm regarding a condition when increased resistance in the body control module resulting in voltage fluctuations or intermittency in the brake apply sensor dated march 2017.

Filed Oct 31, 2016 · Steering · 154,140 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. While driving various speeds and turning the steering wheel, there was an abnormal clicking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,140.

Filed Aug 23, 2016 · Steering · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. While driving various speeds and turning the vehicle, the steering wheel made an abnormal noise and the steering wheel became very stiff. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/05/16*lj

Filed Mar 7, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · IL

My car has been clicking off the electrical power steering randomly since about last december or earlier and when the steering turns off then my electric stability control turns off and the ABS brakes turn off all at the same time I am aware there is a recall for many of the saturn auras out there but my VIN doesn't show a recall for this particular car. If there is any information about this for my car in particular it would be of great help.

Filed Jan 28, 2015 · Steering · 31,549 miles · CA

Popping noise while slow speed turning first reported to a local gm dealer in 2/13. Dealer confirmed shaft was defective but didn't think it was dangerous yet, so was not repaired. After learning in 7/14 that gm had just issued a recall on these shafts, (the federal safety agency campaign number 14e044000), I returned to the same dealer to finally get it replaced. Service manager again stated that the intermediate steering shaft was defective. However, gm management has steadfastly refused to allow the local dealership to replace my unit because my vehicle's VIN was not included in the their list of recall eligible models!

Filed Dec 2, 2014 · Steering · 14,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. When making a left or right turn, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the steering intermediate shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,000...updated 01/06/15

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Steering · 19,020 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saturn aura. The contact stated that the steering wheel was making a loud noise and it required force to turn the wheel on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure more than once. The contact was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number:14v153000 (steering) and experienced the same failure on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19020.

Filed Oct 21, 2013 · Steering · 57,200 miles · AR

While driving at low speeds, I discovered a slight noise coming from the steering column each time I turned the steering wheel. In addition to the noise, I felt a "popping" that appeared to be coming from the base of the steering column. Regardless of which way I turned the wheel, the sounds were the same, and continued to get louder the more I drove. I made an appointment with my local chevrolet dealer, to investigate the issue. After the inspection, it was discovered that the steering column was faulty, and should be replaced. Repair cost of $950. With only 57,000 miles on the vehicle, it was way too soon to have experienced this type of issue. After some research, I discovered that there had been several steering problem complaints documented regarding the 2008 saturn aura.

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported March 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles affected
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 noise

Which Saturn Aura years have clunking or noise when steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (13 complaints), 2007 (4 complaints) and 2009 (2 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Saturn Aura?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history