The most-reported Aura run is 1G8ZS57N87F (2007 builds) with 37 complaints, 3.5× the typical run. Steering problems make up 23% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 12.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Aura model years 2007–2010.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saturn Aura has 120 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 12% of every Aura complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G8ZS57N87F•••••• | 2007 | 3 | — | |
| 1G8ZS57B49F•••••• | 2009 | 2 | — | |
| 1G8ZS57B39F•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZV57767F•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZS57B59F•••••• | 2009 | 2 | — | |
| 1G8ZS57N97F•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZS57N37F•••••• | 2007 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G8ZS57N67F•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZS57N27F•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — | |
| 1G8ZV57777F•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — | |
| 1G8ZS57N57F•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZS57B09F•••••• | 2009 | — | — |
Each of the other 108 Aura runs has 25 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Saturn Aura the gap between build years is 12.2×: a 2007 car draws 12.2 complaints per run, a 2005 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 359 | 39 | 11 | |
| 2008 | 394 | 41 | 18 | |
| 2007 | 526 | 43 | 13 | |
| 2005 | 3 | 3 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2007 at 12.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2005 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Saturn Aura owners report: Steering, 357 of 1,284 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 9 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 15 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 5 | |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 12 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Saturn Aura; the 6 below cover build years 2007 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V252000 | Electrical System:wiring | 2007–2010 |
| 12V460000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) | 2007–2010 |
| 14E044000 | Steering | 2007–2009 |
| 14V153000 | Steering:electric Power Assist System | 2008–2009 |
| 14V224000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 2007–2008 |
| 09V073000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift | 2009 |
14V252000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2007: 7 years on the road before the recall.
The Aura against its rivals
The Aura draws 10.7 complaints per production run; the Jaguar S-Type 2.4 and the Pontiac Grand Prix 4.4. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturn Aura | 1,284 | 120 | 3.3% | |
| Jaguar S-Type | 389 | 164 | 10.8% | |
| Pontiac Grand Prix | 3,552 | 803 | 5.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,284 reports on the Saturn Aura, 3.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Saturn Aura | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,284 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 42 (3.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 8 (0.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 27 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 43% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saturn Aura share of that is 1,284 complaints over 120 runs, 0.12% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Saturn Aura VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,284 NHTSA complaints from 120 Aura runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Aura production run has the most complaints?
1G8ZS57N87F, a 2007 build, with 37 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical Aura run has 10.7.
Which Aura years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 12.2 complaints per run and 2005 lightest at 1.
Does the Aura get more complaints than the Jaguar S-Type?
Yes: 10.7 complaints per production run for the Aura against 2.4 for the Jaguar S-Type.
How many Aura complaints involve a crash?
3.3% of 1,284 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 8 involved a fire.
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