The 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora has 1 safety recall and 125 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (48 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints125filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 17reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 04V110000 · Mar 4, 2004 · 483,477 vehicles · opened 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.
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
1997 Oldsmobile Aurora 4-DR.
Overall
Not 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, gasoline Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
48
0
11
0
107,988 mi
Electrical system Wiring; Alternator/generator/regulator
22
0
4
0
96,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
19
0
1
9
69,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc
10
0
0
0
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system
10
0
0
0
115,000 mi
Structure Body › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Fuel system, other Storage › Tank assembly › Filling/charging; Delivery › Fuel pump
6
0
1
0
113,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights
5
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front
4
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
4
0
0
0
—
Visibility Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor; Power window devices and controls
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
Feb 2, 2017 · 197,000 milesElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ENGINE BEING STARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN…
Feb 2, 2017 · 38,000 milesElectrical system USED THE REMOTE START FEATURE DURING 24 DEG WEATHER AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FIXED WINDOW SHATTERED. POSSIBLE CAUSE WOULD BE A SHORT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST UNIT, WHICH COMES ON WHEN USING REMOTE START IN COLD WEATHER.
Aug 14, 2015 · 70,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IN ADDITION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A MIST WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Oct 6, 2014 · 150,000 milesFuel system, gasoline ON MARCH 4, 2004, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY CAR - COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V110000. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA04003. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN 2004 AND THEY REPLACED MY FUEL RAIL. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL STATES "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. CONSEQUENCE: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE." MY CAR IS A 1997. THE RETURN LINE HAS, SO FAR, CRACKED FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME I WAS…
Apr 26, 2013 · 163,234 miles · fireService brakes BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES ARE SO EXTREMELY CORRODED IT ACTUALLY RUSTED THROUGH THE METAL BRAKE LINES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES AND IS LEAKING IN LARGE AMOUNTS AT THE SEVERE CORRODED SPOTS OF THE LINES. ALSO THE FRONT BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO EXTREMELY CORRODED THEY JUST HAVE YET TO CORRODE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE METAL LINE AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID YET BUT CAN GUARANTEE THEY WILL IN LESS THAN 20K MILES EASILY! AND THE MASTER CYLINDER IS NOT DIVIDED INTO 2 DIVIDED AND SEPARATE RESERVOIRS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR DISTRIBUTION BRAKING HYDRAULIC POWER IN CASE THE REAR BRAKE PRESSURE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH FOR THE REAR CALIPERS TO WORK OR IF THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED TO THE FRONT AND ITS…
Jul 8, 2011Electrical system I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 1997 OLDS AURORA. IT HAS NO POWER AT ALL. BEFORE NOW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TAKING A LONG TIME TO START. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH CLEAN KEY, WAIT 3 MINUTES. A PROBLEM WHERE IT SEEMS AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THE INFORMATION CENTER WAS RESET AS IF THE POWER WAS LOST WHILE SITTING. I ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT EVEN THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT ON THIS CAR AFTER CHECKING IT OVER FOR DAYS, THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS REGISTERING HOTTER THAN THE MACHINE THAT THEY USED TO CHECK THE TEMPERATURE WITH. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR FAR AT ALL BECAUSE…
Apr 2, 2011 · 184,300 milesFuel system, gasoline MY 1997 OLDS AURORA STARTED LEAKING GAS FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE UNDER THE HOOD.I HAD REMEMBERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND CALLED OLDSMOBILE AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL #04014. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD BE SINCE THEY FIGURED THIS OUT IN 2004 AND MY CAR WAS MADE IN 1997... THE DATE ON THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES IS 5/10/1996. *TR
Aug 17, 2010 · 150,000 milesSteering TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT WAS TURNING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD POP. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED A BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE STEERING RACK TO THE FRAME. THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING WAS ALSO FRACTURED AND THERE WERE SEVERAL RUSTED BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
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
EA04003 · opened Feb 3, 2004 · closed Apr 23, 2004 · led to recall 04V110000FUEL RAIL LEAKS 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,…
PE03050 · opened Oct 30, 2003 · closed Feb 3, 2004FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE 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…