2009 Saturn Aura Life Expectancy

With exquisite care and a delicate touch, a 2009 Saturn Aura can stay on the road for 15 years—but proper maintenance is vital.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
background
With impeccable upkeep and good luck, a 2009 Saturn Aura could last as much as 200,000 to 300,000 miles—which means it might still be running for several more years. 
Though production ended over a decade ago, quite a few Saturns are still on the road today.  The Saturn Aura was a friendly and economical midsize sedan sold between 2007 and 2010. While it won’t have the bells and whistles of a modern car, it can certainly get you where you need to go.
Car insurance
will be less expensive with a 2009 Saturn Aura, but what about
car repairs
? Keep reading to find out just how long you can expect your 2009 Saturn Aura to stay in orbit!

How many miles can a 2009 Saturn Aura last?

All other factors being equal, a 2009 Saturn Aura could last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. On average, a US driver clocks around 14,000 miles a year behind the wheel, so at that rate, a Saturn Aura would last about 14 or 15 years. 
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How long does a Saturn Aura engine last?

The 2009 Saturn Aura came with either a 169 horsepower, 2.4-liter inline-four engine or a 252 horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine. As you might expect, the four-cylinder engine gets better fuel economy. If properly cared for, either one of these engines should be capable of at least hitting the 200,000-mile mark. 

Can a Saturn Aura last 500,000 miles?

If we’ve all learned anything from the past few years, it’s that nothing is impossible—but that said, it’s extremely rare for any car to last 500,000 miles. A few Saturn owners report hitting over 500,000 miles with their Auras, but it’s not the norm. 

Average life expectancy for a Saturn Aura

The Saturn Aura has been out of production for 13 years and the brand is defunct—so this isn’t a straightforward number.  A few owners say they’ve gotten over 200,000 miles on their Auras, there are many more who have reported achieving the 100,000 to 150,000-mile mark. Even though a 2009 Saturn Aura could last for 300,000 miles, it’s far more realistic to expect 100,000 to 150,000 mile out of it.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that the average lifespan of a car in the US is 11 years, which at 14,000 miles per year would get you to 154,000 miles. With a 2009 model year, an expected 11-year lifespan would put you at 2020. If you have a 2009 Saturn Aura that still chugs along, good for you! With good maintenance, yours could be one of the few that get to 200,000-plus miles.
The lifespan of a 2009 Saturn Aura (or any vehicle) depends on the following factors: 
  • Regular maintenance: If you want to get the most miles possible, follow your maintenance schedule to the letter. The Saturn Auras that have hit 200,000 miles all have one thing in common: meticulous maintenance. 
  • Mileage: The average life span is based on driving about 15,000 miles a year, so if you drive a lot less than that, you can expect to get more miles out of your Aura. 
  • Accident history and driving environment: Even a minor accident can shorten the lifespan of a car. Add in extreme weather or less-than-ideal driving conditions, and years can be shaved off of a car’s life.
If you’re considering a used 2009 Saturn Aura, check the mileage, ask for maintenance records, and get a
CARFAX report
. If you can, take it to a trusted mechanic for a check-up before you buy it!
MORE: 7 things to look for when buying a used car

How to extend a 2009 Saturn Aura’s life expectancy

You probably already know the answer to this—the key to extending your 2009 Saturn Aura’s life as long as possible is: maintenance
Change your oil, keep things clean, and diligently replace any parts as needed or recommended. Limiting the miles driven can help too, but that’s not always something within your control. 

Common 2009 Saturn Aura problems to watch out for

Unfortunately, Consumer Reports doesn’t have any reliability information for the 2009 Saturn Aura. But if you have a 2009 Saturn, there are a few known issues you want to be on the lookout for. 
First and foremost, the 2009 Saturn Aura was the subject of five recalls, with most of the issues related to shifting and steering. If you want to see if a 2009 Saturn Aura was included in any of these recalls, you can check via the VIN
here
. Out of the 374 complaints received by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about half of them were regarding steering issues
Here are a few other common issues reported by RepairPal and Saturn owners: 
  • Oil consumption: the 2009 Saturn Aura takes about a quart every thousand miles or so to run smoothly for the long haul. That isn’t uncommon with older cars, but it means you’ll have to
    change your oil
    more frequently than you might think!
  • Transmission issues: shifting issues were also a common complaint for the Aura. If your car is shifting with difficulty or won’t shift out of Park, that spells trouble. 
  • Rust: A few owners claimed that if you kept rust at bay and oil in the engine, you’d be set. That’s a bit of a stretch, but it’s true—rust takes years off of an older car’s lifespan. 
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FAQs

Surprisingly few! Sources report that just 0.03% of cars reach 300,000 miles. The 200,000-mile mark is more common at 1%, but that’s even a small margin.
In general, a 2009 Saturn Aura tune-up costs around $260. That is just an average, though—which is why it’s always important to call around for multiple quotes!
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