Makes›Saturn›Aura›2010

2010 Saturn Aura

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 22 city / 33 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 26 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2010 midsize car (22.2 MPG).
  • Few owner complaints1 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 140 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Saturn Aura is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 33 highway), 17% better than the 2010 midsize car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2010

  • No hybrid version any more
  • Best combined MPG down from 29 to 26

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Aura →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aura FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 33 / 26+17%$2,600342
Aura2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 33 / 26+17%$2,600342
Aura3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20-10%$3,350444
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2010 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Saturn Aura under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Saturn Aura (this car)26 MPGNot rated2
2010 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated8
2010 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated10
2010 Hyundai Elantra29 MPGNot rated4
2010 Chevrolet Malibu29 MPGNot rated3
2010 Volkswagen Passat25 MPGNot rated4
2010 Nissan Altima34 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (2)

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · May 14, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2,440,524 vehicles

Problem
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.
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 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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · Sep 18, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V460000 · 426,240 vehicles

Problem
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 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.
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 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Saturn Aura is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
50,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Saturn Aura buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Saturn Aura. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Aura years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2009 Aura29190.9 inNot rated3287
2008 Aura27190.9 inNot rated4203
2007 Aura27190.9 inNot rated3201

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Saturn. How we calculate this →