Feds Probe 88,729 Saturn Auras for Shift Lever Problem

Just the Facts:

• The federal government has widened a safety probe into complaints about problems with the automatic shift levers on 88,729 2007-'08 Saturn Aura and Aura Hybrid sedans.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a similar automatic transmission installation was used on the 2004-'08 Chevrolet Malibu and 2005-'08 Pontiac G6.
• The problem affects vehicles with four-speed automatic transmissions.

WASHINGTON — The federal government has widened a safety probe into complaints about problems with the automatic shift levers on 88,729 2007-'08 Saturn Aura and Aura Hybrid sedans. Such a probe is sometimes the precursor to a recall.

"The transmission shift cable may fail, resulting in unintended movement of the vehicle," said NHTSA in its defects investigation summary.

The federal safety agency says seven crashes and one injury are associated with the complaints. "In the injury incident, the driver placed the shifter in park, exited the vehicle and was struck when the vehicle unexpectedly rolled backwards," reported NHTSA.

In one crash incident, "the driver reportedly placed the gear shift selector into park but the transmission remained in drive, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly move forward and strike a building," said NHTSA.

GM is cooperating with the investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a similar automatic transmission installation was used on the 2004-'08 Chevrolet Malibu and 2005-'08 Pontiac G6. The problem affects vehicles with four-speed automatic transmissions.

Aura, Malibu and G6 all were built on GM's midsize Epsilon platform.

Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Aura, Malibu or G6, be aware that a federal investigation is in the works.