Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 608 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Saturn Aura, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 128 | 21% |
| Air bags | 71 | 12% |
| Steering | 33 | 5% |
| Seats | 24 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 4% |
| Engine | 22 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Unknown Shifter locks and won't start. Driving on interstate and the engine started to rev up. The tac showed excessive pressure. Esc and traction lights appear. This car has only 110,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The automatic transmission shift cable, has malfunctioned. The center piece that connects to the gear shift has melted, and prevents the car from starting and shifting gears. The damage was created due to high temperatur
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My car gear shift slides through the gears but wont shift out of park. Something is wrong with the transmission shift cable. I see an active recall for this exact problem on my type of car (NHTSA 14V224) but for some rea
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the transmission and the power st
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The car has gas fumes at the trunk of car but the check engine light doesn’t come on! We are concerned because the fumes enter the car while driving! I know Saturn Ion’s were recalled for this reason
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The brake lights are illuminated when I’m not breaking, and when I do break, the brake lights will go off and I cannot set my cruise control because of it.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the power steering failed, and the steering whe
NHTSA complaint: Steering
While driving the car doesn’t switch gear properly. The car made a stalling noise and as soon as I remove my foot from the gas pedal it’s automatically braking.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2007 Saturn Aura. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, thr
Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected di
Fix: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Gen
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehi
Risk: A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service a
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 igniti
Fix: 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 o
| Reliability raw | 55 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 608 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 128 of them (21%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 55/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.