Saturn Aura Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Every Saturn Aura model year (20072010) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Saturn Aura Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2007

4 recalls · 607 complaints

10 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 639

#2 WORST
2008

5 recalls · 432 complaints

9 reported injuries

1 reported death

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 470

#3 WORST
2009

5 recalls · 388 complaints

10 reported injuries

1 reported death

Top issue: STEERING

Problem score: 428

Best Saturn Aura Years to Buy

#1 BEST
2010

2 recalls · 2 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 10

#2 BEST
2009

5 recalls · 388 complaints

Main area: STEERING

Problem score: 428

#3 BEST
2008

5 recalls · 432 complaints

Main area: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 470

Found the right year? Verify that specific Aura with a free VIN report.

Saturn Aura — Year-by-Year Problem Report

YearRecallsComplaintsProblem ScoreVerdict
201022
10
Excellent
20095388
428
Avoid
20085432
470
Avoid
20074607
639
Avoid

Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.

Saturn Aura Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older Aura models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report. Confirm all historical recalls have been completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year Aura should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2007 Saturn Aura if possible. It has 4 recalls, 607 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is POWER TRAIN. The overall problem score is 639 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Aura to buy?+

The 2010 Saturn Aura is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 10. It has only 2 recalls and 2 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which Aura has the fewest problems?+

The 2010, 2009, 2008 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Saturn Aura Research

Check a Specific Saturn Aura VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

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