NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
18 reportsClear category filter101,000 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
I OWN A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA, ON 4/25/2009 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I PULLED OVER AND LUCKILY MY MOTHER WAS FOLLOWING AND SHE HAD EXTINGUISHER IN HER VEHICLE. I TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY REAR MAIN SEAL LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO EXHAUST PIP…
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I OWN A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA, ON 4/25/2009 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I PULLED OVER AND LUCKILY MY MOTHER WAS FOLLOWING AND SHE HAD EXTINGUISHER IN HER VEHICLE. I TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY REAR MAIN SEAL LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO EXHAUST PIPE AND THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THAT AND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT IN THAT SEAL THAT'S WHY THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT. IT TURNS OUT AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THE MANUFACTURE ALLOWED TO PUT A DEFECT PART IN THE VEHICLE THAT PUTS CONSUMERS AT RISK AND NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX IT. I HAD MY 2 YR OLD SON AND MY 4 MO OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. GM WAS REQUIRED TO FIX THE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM DUE TO FIRE SAFETY, I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM DESERVES THE SAME ATTENTION, SINCE OIL AND HEAT DO NOT MIX AS WELL IT'S JUST AS DANGEROUS, I WILL BE CONTACTING MY ATTORNEY GENERAL. PLEASE NOTE: GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS FAULTY AND WILL FAIL, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267198
150,000 miles · Jun 29, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS, A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED 3 YEARS AGO DURING WARRANTY, THEN THERE WAS SHORT CIRCUIT IN STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS REPLACE, SOON AFTER FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WENT HAYWIRE THIS REQUIRED CHANGING THE SENSOR, FUEL PUMP AS WELL AS FUEL TANK ( PROBABLY THE DEALER CHEATED BY DOING ALL THIS WORK, FILED COMPLAINT TO BOTH GM AND…
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HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS, A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED 3 YEARS AGO DURING WARRANTY, THEN THERE WAS SHORT CIRCUIT IN STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS REPLACE, SOON AFTER FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WENT HAYWIRE THIS REQUIRED CHANGING THE SENSOR, FUEL PUMP AS WELL AS FUEL TANK ( PROBABLY THE DEALER CHEATED BY DOING ALL THIS WORK, FILED COMPLAINT TO BOTH GM AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE),OXYGEN SENSOR WENT BAD, ONE DAY ALL TURN SIGNALS STATED FLASHING WHILE JUST PARKED, REPLACED SENSORS AND WIRING, THEN AGAIN TURN SIGNAL SENSOR WENT BAD, SOON AFTER STARTING IGNITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE STARTING WAS HARD, THEN CAME THE ELECTRONIC KEY FAILING THAT NEEDED BOTH THE KEY & LOCK REPLACEMENT,NOW STILL AT TIMES THE KEY REFUSES TO START THE CAR, STARTED TO SEE RADIATOR LEAK THAT IS QUITE MYSTERIOUS I.E, AFTER A FEW WEEKS LEVEL GOES DOWN BUT CAN NOT FIND THE SOURCE, REAR WINDOW CONTROL FAILED , DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT THAT NEEDED REMOVING THE ENTIRE PANEL & REPLACING BULBS, NOW THE BIG PROBLEM OF LOW SPEED STALL ON THE ROAD I.E. IT STALLS IN SLOW TRAFFIC OR WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT OR TAKING SLOW TURN, FILING A FULL REPORT WITH GM AGAIN FOR RECALLING ALL AURORA'S FROM ROAD ELSE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS & EVEN DEATHS, CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF PRODUCING A BAD QUALITY HIGH END LUXURY CAR. MY OTHER 10-15 YRS OLD CARS ARE RUNNING FAR BETTER THAN THIS LEMON CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232624
79,793 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SHORT IN HEADLIGHTS AND SEAT AND MIRROR SHORTAGE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142912
30,000 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR BURNS OIL. CAR SHIFT IS FALLING APART. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132525
49,124 miles · Jun 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
PER DEALER DIAGNOSIS, THREADS IN BLOCK FOR HEAD BOLT(S) HAVE DETERIORATED CAUSING HEAD GASKET LEAKS (ANTIFREEZE & OIL) DUE TO POOR GM DESIGN. THIS RESULTS IN ROUGH RUNNING, OVERHEATING AND POOR DRIVEABILITY. REPAIR COST OF $4500 + TAX, ALL OF WHICH IS CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBILITY. THIS REITERATED BY OLDSMOBILE HELP LINE ON 6/6/05.
NHTSA ODI #10124397
100,000 miles · Feb 25, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING THE CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL GAS, THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER STATES THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THERE IS OIL SLUDGE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10113039
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE BURNING SMELL WAS FROM A PLASTIC BAG THAT HAD MELTED ON THE EXHAUST PIPE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID …
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE BURNING SMELL WAS FROM A PLASTIC BAG THAT HAD MELTED ON THE EXHAUST PIPE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10063428
69,000 miles · Mar 25, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE ALWAYS STALLS WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAD THE VEHICLE AT OLDSMOBILE NUMEROUS TIMES AS WELL AS OTHER SERVICE FACILITIES. THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. CAR STALLING IN CONGESTED INTERSECTIONS HAS CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER VEHICLES. NUMEROUS TIMES CAME…
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ENGINE ALWAYS STALLS WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. HAD THE VEHICLE AT OLDSMOBILE NUMEROUS TIMES AS WELL AS OTHER SERVICE FACILITIES. THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. CAR STALLING IN CONGESTED INTERSECTIONS HAS CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER VEHICLES. NUMEROUS TIMES CAME VERY CLOSE TO IMPACTING OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER VEHICLES IMPACTING ME IN THE REAR AS THE VEHICLE "LURCHES" ONCE RE-ESTABLISH IT STARTING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10063840
40,000 miles · Mar 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE OIL ON THERE DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS DUE TO THE OIL LEAKING THOUGH THE ALUMINUM CASTING OIL PAN. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10064817
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY AURORA OLDSMOBILE STALLS WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM ALSO LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHEN NO POWER IS GOING TO CAR THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED AND NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10062318
NHTSA investigations
2EA04003 · 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.
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