Saturn Aura problems
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Saturn Aura model years
Common Saturn Aura problems
The Saturn Aura, a midsize sedan produced by General Motors from 2007 to 2010, has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues, based on search results:
- Brake Problems: The Saturn Aura has been reported to have various brake problems, including warped brake rotors, brake fade, and premature brake wear. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor brake design, inadequate brake pads, and excessive brake use. Some owners have reported that these problems have been expensive to fix, with repair costs ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
In summary, the Saturn Aura has several common problems that can affect various components of the car, including the transmission, EVAP system, cooling system, wheels, electrical system, and brakes. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including wear and tear, faulty components, and design flaws. Some of these problems can be resolved with simple repairs, while others may require more extensive work or replacement of parts. It is important for Saturn Aura owners to be aware of these common problems and to address them promptly to ensure the safety and reliability of their vehicles.
Is the Saturn Aura reliable?
This car is known to be reliable. The exterior and interior are nothing too fancy but it has the necessities (functioning windows, A/C, mid size sedan space, decent trunk space, etc). Saturn is no longer in business so some have had issues finding parts and repairs may be expensive.
How long does a Saturn Aura last?
If you're hoping to hit 200,000 miles in your Aura, that isn't totally unreasonable, but you should expect a maximum mileage closer to 150,000 if you're buying a used model. The car can last for years to come if you take excellent care of it, but it's a lot easier to keep a Toyota or a Honda running than a Saturn.
What is the problem with the Saturn Aura 2007?
Summary: 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.
Is there any recalls on a 2008 Saturn Aura?
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through October 31, 2007, and equipped with a four speed automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may fracture.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Saturn Aura years
We have researched Saturn problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Saturn Aura cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Saturn Aura model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Saturn Aura model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Saturn Aura years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Saturn Aura car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Saturn Aura , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Steering problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Saturn Aura vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Aura model years
A total of 44 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Aura model years
There were a total of 9 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Aura model years
There were a total of 30 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Aura model years
There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1419 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Saturn Aura . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Saturn Aura vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 1G8ZS57B78F
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to steer and did not function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering assist module. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering assist module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) was previously completed on the contact's vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 1G8ZS57N58F
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Key ignition don’t engaged when turning.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-18
- VIN: 1G8ZS57B68F
- Components: STRUCTURE,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Water is leaking into the passenger compartment to the point of pooling, I am constantly having to shop vac water out but, I feel this could lead to the floor pan rusting out and the seats falling through the floor. This is a GM TSB issue so, GM knows about the problem. There are many other Saturn Aura owners who have experienced this issue.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 1G8ZS57B58F
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: While I was driving my car going 40 mph down the road the wheel stuck and I couldn't turn or do anything. I had to pull over and reset the car by shutting it off and turning it back on. I've had to do that before when I first started the car and tried to back up in the wheel froze and it wouldn't move anywhere. I went to the garage today and they told me that it's my power steering.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-13
- VIN: 1G8ZS57N48F
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Nobody has inspected my vehicle. However my rear passenger airbag on the driver's side has malfunctioned and blown out the rear interior panel and the service airbag light is on this just happened 4 days ago and there was no accident to cause it.. my transmission is not functioning properly as of yesterday it has a jolt like jerk when shifting into another gear and doesn't want to go all the way into park. And my speed odometer bottoms to 0 and all electrical equipment fails temporarily while driving I have video proof of this happening. My safety as well as other motorists are at risk if this keeps happening... ATTENTION THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS !!! YET.....
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-12
- VIN: 1G8ZS57NX8F
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Yes my 2008 Saturn Aura 3.5 v6 has a Electrical issue it's goin to get someone killed...
Saturn Aura 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-04
- VIN: 1G8ZV57B49F
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 informed the contact that the next available appointment was in 3 weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Saturn Aura 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-01
- VIN: 1G8ZV57777F
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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 steering were inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Saturn Aura 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-02-20
- VIN: 1G8ZS57NX7F
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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
Saturn Aura 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-29
- Date Complaint: 2024-02-12
- VIN: 1G8ZS57B59F
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 several times until the steering wheel became operable. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at slow speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the electric power steering assist system had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,168.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-02-06
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZS57BX8F
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owned a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and ascending a grade in the road, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb on the left side of the vehicle and then crashed into a telephone pole, he was unable to steer due to the loss of power steering functionality. The contact stated that the crash happened very fast and he was not able to depress the brake pedal to avoid the crash. The contact stated that the front driver's side bumper, grill, and lights were crushed. There was also damage to the driver's side front tire wheel well and axle. The contact stated that he called the police who then wrote a report. The contact stated that he was not injured, however the vehicle was undrivable and was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that the vehicle was later declared a total loss by his insurance provider. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
Saturn Aura 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-30
- VIN: 1G8ZV57B49F
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-27
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-01
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZS57B18F
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I bought this 2008 Saturn Aura from dealer on 09/13/2023. Since I bought it, I fractured my hand and foot while checking the tires and brakes. 10/27/23 - I put the car in park to investigate what was causing the constant rattling noise while at the same time the car would shudder. While I was on one knee with one hand on ground so l could bend and look into the wheel well, the car rolled the tire over my hand and foot that was in its path because I wasn't able to move quick enough and didn't expect that to happen. 11/16/23 - I found out what the rattling noise and shudder was caused by when I completely lost all steering control and hit a tree which damaged the vehicle and caused injury, not only to myself but also to my 5 year old nephew who was in the car with me. I was told by a mechanic that a damaged joint bearing caused separation of the u-joint resulting in loss of steering control. What the hell is wrong with this car. I paid $1500 for the vehicle, then to top it off add injury costs I paid; the repairs and/or replacement of the u-joint and transmission shift cable due to damage. I don't know what to do to remedy the situation. I can't even afford to fix the body damage or replace the wheel rim damage caused by the wreck. Where do I go from here? I can't afford a new vehicle that why I bought this car. What a joke. Please advise. Maybe I can find free council.
Saturn Aura 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-14
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-14
- VIN: 1G8ZR57538F
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Saturn Aura. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The brake lights occasionally illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability Control) and was taken to the dealer and dielectric lubricant was added to the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector. The contact was unsure if attaching the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer and relearning the brake pedal home position was performed. The contact stated that the failure started 9 years after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Saturn Aura 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-01
- Date Complaint: 2023-06-29
- VIN: 1G8ZS57B99F
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Transmission fluid leaking and sometimes doesn’t want to accelerate
Latest 5 recalls Saturn Aura
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 16 recalls for different components of the Saturn Aura.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Saturn Aura 2007
- Report Received Date: 2014-07-21
- Manufacturer: Dorman Products, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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 at 1-800-523-2492.
- Model: Saturn Aura 2009
- Report Received Date: 2014-07-21
- Manufacturer: Dorman Products, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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 at 1-800-523-2492.
- Model: Saturn Aura 2008
- Report Received Date: 2014-07-21
- Manufacturer: Dorman Products, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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 vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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 at 1-800-523-2492.
- Model: Saturn Aura 2008
- Report Received Date: 2014-05-14
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Summary: 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.
- Model: Saturn Aura 2010
- Report Received Date: 2014-05-14
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
- Summary: 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.
Latest negative Saturn Aura car reviews
Latest positive Saturn Aura car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2008
I recently purchased a new car without any prior preferences. I was simply looking for a good fit. Interestingly, I stumbled upon it by mistake when I misread the dealer's advertisement for an Acura as an Aura! However, when I saw the black, sleek, stylish design and the great price, I knew it was the one for me. As a tall rugby player, I require a lot of room, so I opted for the model without a sunroof (who needs it anyway?). I completely agree with all the positive comments I've read about it so far. While it may not have a top luxury interior, it is incredibly spacious and comes at a great price. On a side note, I was disappointed to hear that GM has closed Saturn. I couldn't help but wonder why they would end a modern, distinctive, and fairly-priced range while keeping two mediocre look-alike clones (Chevy and GMC).
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Vehicle year: 2008
The Saturn Aura is an outstanding car, especially when you consider its value for money. The exterior design gives the impression of a more expensive car. We test drove the XR and found that it had more torque and horsepower than we needed. We also test drove the Malibu and while Chevy has more interesting interiors, we found the people at Saturn to be more consumer friendly. The inline 4 engine has good power and the sound and vibration damping are really well done.
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Vehicle year: 2008
253000 miles looks and runs like almost new! I'm so glad you're considering this car. It's incredibly comfortable and has a great ride. It's a shame they stopped making it.
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Vehicle year: 2007
You made a great choice by considering a range of cars in the 18k to 24k price range. The Aura stood out as the best value, with its impressive exterior, performance, and fuel economy. As a first-time car owner using it for sales, the XE was a perfect fit for your needs. It's been 3 months and you've already put 7k miles on it, but you haven't had a single problem with it. If you're able to afford the XR, it's definitely worth considering, but the XE is still a fantastic car with great features and an affordable price tag.
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Vehicle year: 2007
My wife and I recently went car shopping to replace our Saab 9-3. We visited the Saturn dealership and were impressed with what we saw. After test driving both the XE and XR versions, we knew we didn't need to look any further. The XR's OHC V6 & 6 spd automatic was too good to pass up. It's definitely not your typical GM car. The car drives smoothly, handles well, and absorbs bumps with ease. The engine provides ample power and the transmission shifts smoothly, although it can be slow to respond at times. My wife is particularly fond of the remote start feature. I highly recommend this car to anyone in the market for a midsize car. It's definitely worth considering.
Are you having problems with your Saturn Aura?
Rashad Gerhold 2024-11-24
Vehicle year: 2007
Hey there! I've been driving this car for a little over 2 years now and I have to say, it's been a great ride! Sure, I've had a few minor issues with the computer, remote keys, and airbag lights, but overall it's been a very reliable car. :)
Miller Braun 2024-11-22
Vehicle year: 2008
Sorry to hear about the issues you've been experiencing with your car. It sounds like you've had a lot of trouble with the doors, locks, and electrical system. Additionally, it seems like the ems computer has been causing some problems with starting and the temperature gauge. It's frustrating when a car doesn't work as it should. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Herbert Wiza 2024-10-27
Vehicle year: 2009
I completely understand and agree with the previous review regarding the car's transmission. It seems to hunt and downshift too quickly, which can make it feel erratic and jerky, especially at low speeds. Despite having it checked by the dealer, they claim that this is how it is supposed to work. Additionally, I concur that the steering wheel control buttons are too small and difficult to use. I would also like to add that I have noticed a flaw in the aerodynamics of the car. When travelling at speeds of 50 mph or faster, and only the rear window(s) are opened, the closed front windows and sunroof vibrate quite badly, and the air pressure in the car can be painful to the ears. The dealer's solution was to crack the front windows or sunroof, but I do not believe that this is an acceptable fix.
Quinn Kreiger 2024-10-21
Vehicle year: 2008
I am experiencing issues with my 2008 Saturn, including a locked steering wheel and overheating. Despite multiple visits to the shop, the problems persist. However, I am confident that I will find a solution to these issues and get my car back on the road.
Jordyn Ernser 2024-10-16
Vehicle year: 2008
I had this car for less than a month and unfortunately, I experienced some issues with it. The transmission went out and then a couple of weeks later, one of the headlights stopped working. Additionally, the other headlight flashes a little when I press the brakes, almost like it has a shortage. I also had some trouble with snow traction and got stuck three times, but thankfully I wasn't in a rush to get anywhere. Recently, I had to replace the coil pack due to a misfire, which was a bit scary as it happened suddenly while I was driving. While I've had some challenges with this car, I would recommend doing some research before making a purchase decision. Thank you for considering my experience.