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1996 Oldsmobile Aurora

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Aurora years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora are substantially higher than the model-year median of 33.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

35 reports with mileage · 65 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports9 fire reports3 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

44 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAS WITNESSED FUEL LEAKING FROM THEIR VEHICLE. SHE SAID THEY LEFT IT PARKED TO HAVE IT TOWED BY THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER STATED THEY WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT TOMORROW. THE CONSUMER WENT ON LINE TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097435

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LEAKED GAS AND SMELLED OF FUEL. *BF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY $2000. TO REPAIR THE FUEL RAIL TUBING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10097720

89,485 miles · Sep 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALLS 04V110000 . 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. *AK THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REFUND THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRED BE THE FUEL HO…

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CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALLS 04V110000 . 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. *AK THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REFUND THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRED BE THE FUEL HOSE CRACKED NOT THE RAIL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10081365

116,530 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PERFORM THE FUEL RAIL TUBING RECALL 04V110000 REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PART WAS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE NEW RECALL RAIL LOOKED LIKE, AND IT WAS NOT THE RAIL THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THE …

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THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PERFORM THE FUEL RAIL TUBING RECALL 04V110000 REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PART WAS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE NEW RECALL RAIL LOOKED LIKE, AND IT WAS NOT THE RAIL THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RAIL HAD BEEN INSTALLED 9 MONTHS EARLIER AND WAS AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083825

137,000 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

04V110000/FUEL RAIL TUBING: AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON, A FIRE IGNITED UNDER THE HOOD. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE A DAY BEFORE THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10080283

137,000 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury

SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CAR, LATER THAT DAY TURNED KEY TO START CAR, SMALL EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD, WHITE SMOKE FILLED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAME OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. WITHIN 5 MINUTES FRONT END OF CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CAR A TOTAL LOSS, CALLED GM AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE WE HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSUR…

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SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CAR, LATER THAT DAY TURNED KEY TO START CAR, SMALL EXPLOSION UNDER HOOD, WHITE SMOKE FILLED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAME OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. WITHIN 5 MINUTES FRONT END OF CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CAR A TOTAL LOSS, CALLED GM AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE WE HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10079108

116,000 miles · Jun 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED UNDERS RECALL, HOWEVER THE RETURN FUEL LINE ALSO BEGAN TO LEAK. THE RETURN LINES ON THE 1995 MODEL AURORAS WERE COVERED IN THE RECALL, BUT APPARENTLY THE 1996 MODEL AURORAS WERE NOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078524

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04 V 110 000 CONCERNING FUEL RAIL TUBING. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER INFORMING THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE CRUZ JIMENEZ, 866/932-4368 EXT. 38649 ABOUT THE MILEAGE ON VEHICLE HE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WILL NOT GIVE THE DEALER PERMISSION TO DO RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS O…

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CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04 V 110 000 CONCERNING FUEL RAIL TUBING. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER INFORMING THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE CRUZ JIMENEZ, 866/932-4368 EXT. 38649 ABOUT THE MILEAGE ON VEHICLE HE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WILL NOT GIVE THE DEALER PERMISSION TO DO RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 100,000 MILES. NOTHING IN THE RECALL NOTICE LISTED ANY STIPULATION ON MILEAGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075990

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A FUEL HOSE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER TOM NUDZAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075924

50,000 miles · Jun 6, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury

I HAD A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA THAT THE ENGINE EXPLODED INTO FIRE DUE TO LEAKING FUEL PROBABLY FROM THE FUEL RAILS THAT WERE PLASTIC AND ARE BEING RECALLED NOW. GM REFUSED MY CLAIM AT THE TIME BUT NOW SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074884

Official recalls

2

04V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 4, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

95V204000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Oct 23, 1995

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

EA04003 · Fuel Rail Leaks

Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Apr 23, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

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, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

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, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

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, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Fuel System, Gasoline

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, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

PE03050 · Fuel Rail Leakage

Opened Oct 30, 2003 · Closed Feb 3, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

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 THE MY 1995 AURORAS.AT LEAST ONE OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHIN A GARAGE ATTACHED TO THE CONSUMERS HOME.THE FIRE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE DWELLING AS WELL AS THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.

PE99059 · Rear Seat Belt Retractor

Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Feb 22, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:rear/other

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.

SQ96012 · Rear Compartment Lid Rod Separation

Opened Jun 25, 1996 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

ADDITION INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SUBJECT BULLETIN.