Model year record

1996 Oldsmobile Aurora recalls & problems

The 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora has 2 safety recalls and 100 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (49 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints100filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 9reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMar 4, 2004

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 04V110000483,477 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2004, FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WERE SENT LETTERS ON AUGUST 6, 2004. ADDITIONAL LETTERS TO OWNERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Electrical systemOct 23, 1995

Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module

Recall 95V20400032,869 vehicles

Problem: THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE; THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THE KEY WAS LEFT IN THE IGNITION OR THAT THE SAFETY BELT WAS NOT BUCKLED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1996 Oldsmobile Aurora 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Aurora

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system › Fuel rail	49	0	4	2	120,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system	20	0	0	0	109,500 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	19	1	5	0	110,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Column	10	0	0	0	120,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Tail lights	9	0	0	0	67,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	6	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments	5	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	4	1	1	1	—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	4	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear › Springs › Air suspension system	3	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	3	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
MY 1996 OLD AURORA FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND EMITTING A STRONG GAS ORDER. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 04014. *TR
Jul 15, 2011 · 18,614 miles
Equipment
CPSC#I1250398A. BLITZ RHINO RAMPS, 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. CONSUMER STATED AFTER DRIVING HIS CAR ONTO THE RAMP, HE NOTICED THE BASE OF THE RAMP UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED. HE ALSO STATED HE ONLY USED THE RAMP FIVE TIMES AFTER PURCHASE. *LN
May 19, 2012
Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE FUEL LINES ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Mar 1, 2012 · 140,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN INTENSE ODOR OF GASOLINE AND FOUND A PINHOLE IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2004 ACCORDING TO A RECALL, AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT ALL OF THE PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR, AND THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED DUE TO IMPROPER REPAIR WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN…
Jul 21, 2009 · 207,000 miles
SeatsFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE DURING THE WINTER. HE HOOKED UP A BATTERY CHARGER TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY AND NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. AS HE WAS EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. HE WAS AT A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT THE TIME AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HELPED HIM EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.…
May 5, 2009 · 150,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT CRANK. THE CONTACT MUST EXIT AND RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WILL START. IN ADDITION, SHE SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Dec 18, 2008
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY, BUT WOULD ALWAYS START ON THE SECOND TRY. ALSO NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE ODOR PROGRESSIVELY GOT STRONGER UNTIL A PINHOLE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED IN ONE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL. WHEN I CALLED OLDSMOBILE ABOUT THIS THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS (AND OF COURSE REPAIR) AT A GM DEALERSHIP. THE IRONIC THING IS THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONTACTED BY GM (ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO) ABOUT THE FUEL RAIL RECALL AND TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE FUEL RAIL REPLACED EVEN THOUGH NOW OLDSMOBILE IS SAYING THAT THE RECALL NEVER…
Mar 16, 2008 · 195,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WOULD LEAK ALONG THE FUEL RAIL. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2004 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AT 106,000 MILES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE DUE TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,534.
Dec 18, 2007 · 138,534 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL RAIL LEAKSClosedLed to recall 04V110000
ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 C) TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK.GM'S SUPPLIER ATTRIBUTED THE CRACKING TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGN STRESSES.IN ADDITION, GM STATED THAT THE MY 1995 AURORA USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY ALSO CRACK AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IN ALL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE IN THE MY 1995 AURORAS. ON APRIL 16, 2004,…
EA04003 · opened Feb 3, 2004 · closed Apr 23, 2004
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGEClosed
THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES USED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BY DANA.THE FUEL RAIL JUMPER TUBES WERE MADE OF MONOLAYER NYLON 12 (PA12).IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998, THE JUMPER TUBE MATERIAL WAS CHANGED FROM PA12 TO M-BOND (A MULTI-LAYER PTFE/PA12).IN ADDITION, ALL SERVICE PARTS PRODUCED SINCE THE END OF PRODUCTION 1997 USE THE M-BOND JUMPER TUBES. MATERIAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY DANA ON FAILED FUEL RAILS SHOWED THAT THE MONO-LAYER NYLON 12 JUMPER TUBES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING (ESC).GM BELIEVES THE ESC IS A RESULT OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL BLENDED FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGNED IN STRESS. EIGHT OF THE GM COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF ODI COMPLAINTS.ODI HAS RECEIVED 77 OF IT'S 123 COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.FUEL RAIL PART SALES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS RANGE FROM 3.0 PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR THE MY 1997 CADILLAC VEHICLES TO 13.1 PERCENT FOR…
PE03050 · opened Oct 30, 2003 · closed Feb 3, 2004
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORClosed
COMPLAINTS GENERALLY STATED THAT ONE OR BOTH OUTBOARD REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AT ALL AND ARE USELESS.IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROVIDE ANY TENSION AND HAVE EXCESS SLACK.THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAS A PLASTIC COVER NEXT TO THE RETRACTOR RETURN SPRING.ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS (GM), HEAT MAY SOFTEN, WARP AND DEFLECT THE PLASTIC SPRING COVER ALLOWING THE RETURN SPRING TO DISENGAGE THROUGH AND JAM IN THE SPRING COVER ACCESS HOLE RENDERING THE RETURN SPRING NONFUNCTIONAL.TO ELIMANATE THE PROBLEM, GM CHANGED THE SPRING COVER MATERIAL AND ACCESS HOLE AT THE BEGINNING OF PRODUCTION OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1996 BUICK RIVIERA AND OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES.BOTH COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS HAVE DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM MY 1995 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO MY 1996 VEHICLES.
PE99059 · opened Sep 15, 1999 · closed Feb 22, 2000
REAR COMPARTMENT LID ROD SEPARATIONOpen
ADDITION INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SUBJECT BULLETIN.
SQ96012 · opened Jun 25, 1996