2010 Saturn AURA: complaints, problems and recalls

IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS I'VE BEEN BEHIND 2 CHEVY IMPALA'S AND 3 SATURN AURA'S(SAME VEHICLE) AND THE BRAKE LIGHT'S WERE ON WHEN THE DRIVER'S WERE NOT USING THEIR BRAKES. IT ALL HAPPENED ON THE THRUWAY, AND WHEN THEY DID USE THEIR BRAKES THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE LESS INTELLIGENT. I SEE THE PROBLEM AND CAN AVOID IT, CAN OTHER'S? *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10548023 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 (NA) SATURN AURA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102118 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-09-18 (September 18, 2012)

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.

Consequence: 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 ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

Remedy: 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 on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Reported: 2014-05-14 (May 14, 2014)

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 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.