2009 Saturn Aura steering problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
56 owners have reported steering problems with the 2009 Saturn Aura, 78% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 127,000 mi.
- Steering complaints
- 56
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Related recalls
- 1
- Median mileage
- 127,000 mi
Specific components reported
Steering covers: Power steering, steering column and wheel, loss of steering assist.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 56 |
Steering complaints across Saturn Aura years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
- STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
What owners say
- Filed Mar 16, 2026MISteering
My steering wheel started to randomly shake while I was driving this car through a car wash that I go through monthly. all of a sudden my wheel locked up and flashing warning signals appeared on my dashboard “SERVICE ESC” making me at a loss of electric power steering assist. I never got in an accident or anything. It just happened while I was driving through a car wash.. I know my vehicle should be involved in the loss of electric power steering assist as it has had every…
NHTSA complaint #11724705 · source - Filed Jan 20, 202664,194 miCASteering
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The message "EPS Failure" was displayed. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering); however, the contact related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance…
NHTSA complaint #11712149 · source - Filed Jan 14, 2026150,000 miOHSteering
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making left or right turns on several occasions, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel became firm and required added effort to turn the steering wheel while driving. The contact stated that simultaneously, the EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted each time, but the failure reoccurred a…
NHTSA complaint #11710982 · source - Filed Oct 28, 2025FLBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering
I was driving and all of a sudden I lost power steering and I had to get over pull over and I was freaking out I could have crashed my dash was saying service ecs
NHTSA complaint #11696223 · source - Filed Sep 9, 2025TXElectrical SystemSeats & Seat BeltsSteering
The car turned off while driving on the highway. The car just recently within the last year or so started giving us electrical problems. The mechanic on August 14, 2025. Replaced the alternator, the second within 3 years. The battery replaced twice within 3 years, as well. Internal dashboard light flickers. The car fails to start several times a month. The driver & passenger seats is not stable, it shifts or moves. The battery's pos and neg poles are extremely hot. Steering…
NHTSA complaint #11686169 · source - Filed May 29, 2025130,000 miINSteering
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 20 MPH or slower, the power steering function failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the loss of power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off and then restarted the vehicle to regain power steering functionality. The contact found information on NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The dealer was…
NHTSA complaint #11663626 · source - Filed May 27, 2025124,000 miOHSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
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…
NHTSA complaint #11663160 · source - Filed Apr 19, 2025ILElectrical SystemSteering
Lost power steering while driving. The power steering warning came on. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I turned it back on the power steering returned. An inspection at the Zeigler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood in Chicago on 4/19/2025 confirmed that the power steering column needs replaced. I'm having it replaced, so the part will not be available for inspection. Thankfully, I was able to pull over right away after I lost power steering, so no damage was caused. This…
NHTSA complaint #11655625 · source - Filed Nov 10, 2024MIBrakesSteering
Electric power steering randomly disables assist but resumes with restart. Brake lights randomly illuminate and randomly stop working.
NHTSA complaint #11624414 · source - Filed Mar 4, 2024119,000 miNJSteering
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…
NHTSA complaint #11575329 · source - Filed Feb 12, 2024175,168 miVASteering
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact turned off and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the power steering was electric. The contact's brother turned off, restarted the vehicle, and shook the steering wheel…
NHTSA complaint #11571488 · source - Filed Jan 30, 202485,000 miILSteering
The contact owns a 2009 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the electronic power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. After immediately turning the vehicle off and restarting, the power steering failure was corrected and operated as designed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the…
NHTSA complaint #11568840 · source
Other 2009 Saturn Aura problem areas
- Electrical System (10)
- Transmission & Drivetrain (9)
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (7)
- Brakes (6)
- Acceleration & Cruise Control (6)
- Other / Unknown (4)
- Lighting (3)
- Airbags (3)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (2)
- Seats & Seat Belts (1)
- Suspension (1)
- Engine (1)
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology