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1997 Oldsmobile Aurora

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Aurora years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora are substantially higher than the model-year median of 33.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 71 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 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports17 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel System, Other complaints

5 reports
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150,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Fuel System, OtherFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE THROUGH THE VENTS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,00…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE THROUGH THE VENTS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10258135

113,000 miles · Aug 8, 2007
Fuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE AND ONTO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AT 111,000 MILES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE AND ONTO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AT 111,000 MILES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10198808

115,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Fuel System, Other

FUEL SPRAYING FROM SMALL HOLES IN PLASTIC SECTIONS OF THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY. GASOLINE WAS ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, WHICH IN MY OPINION IS NOT VERY SAFE. NOT TO MENTION THE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE THAT WERE BEING LEFT BEHIND ON THE GROUND DUE TO THIS LEAK. WE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN HOUSE, AND BEING THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS T…

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FUEL SPRAYING FROM SMALL HOLES IN PLASTIC SECTIONS OF THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY. GASOLINE WAS ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, WHICH IN MY OPINION IS NOT VERY SAFE. NOT TO MENTION THE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE THAT WERE BEING LEFT BEHIND ON THE GROUND DUE TO THIS LEAK. WE FIXED THIS PROBLEM IN HOUSE, AND BEING THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE AT THE DEFAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER, WE WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR THE SERVICE PREFORMED NOT ONLY FOR THIS AUTOMOBLIE, BUT ALSO FOR THE TWO OTHER 1997 OLDSMOBLIE AURORA'S THAT WE OWN. A RESPONSE TO THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE EXTREMELY GRATIFYING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERNS KEN SCHIRMANG

NHTSA ODI #10046750

59,580 miles · Jul 15, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FORM CHESROWN GMC/KIA IN COLUMBUS OHIO. I BOUGHT IT ON JUNE 3RD 2002 PAID $10500.00+ $892.00 (EXTEND WARRANTY)WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I OPTED FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD FUEL PUMP, FEUL SWITCH, FEUL LINE, FUEL INJECTORS OF MY CAR GO BAD (MORE THAN ONCE!). WHILE DRIVING THE CAR…

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I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FORM CHESROWN GMC/KIA IN COLUMBUS OHIO. I BOUGHT IT ON JUNE 3RD 2002 PAID $10500.00+ $892.00 (EXTEND WARRANTY)WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I OPTED FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD FUEL PUMP, FEUL SWITCH, FEUL LINE, FUEL INJECTORS OF MY CAR GO BAD (MORE THAN ONCE!). WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED STREET THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED! MY HUSBAND GOT OUT TO PUSH THE VEHICLE PUTTING HIM IN DANGER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT THE NEXT DAY AND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE CEASED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS SAID I DONT KNOW WHAT IT IS & THEY FINALLY CONCLUDED IT HAD A BAD FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED IT. LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER, I WAS AT THE SHOP AGAIN! THE FUEL PUMP THAT THEY PUT IN DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I HAVE A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRES I BE ON BLOOD THINNERS. AN ACCIDENT FOR A NORMAL PERSON WOULD BE HARMFUL, FOR ME IT WOULD MEAN ALMOST CERTAIN DEATH. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX IT. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP. MY UNCLE HAD THE SAME MAKE & MODEL (OLD AURORA 97') HIS COULD NOT BE FIXED.*AK I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS A LEMON. I HAVE PUT MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME, MONEY & GRIEF INTO TRYING TO GET IT WORKING. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS A DANGEROUS ONE. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM JUST ASKING FOR WHAT EVERY REASONABLE PERSON WOULD. A MECHANICALLY SAFE VEHICLE. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY, AS I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE TO PUT MYSELF IN UNNECESSARY DANGER. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH EVERY RECORD OF SERVICE & DATES ETC IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM (ONCE I GET IT BACK FORM THE SHOP). SINCERELY, SUSAN M. PENDLETON THE FIRST FAILURE HAPPENED ON MARCH 6TH EVENING. THE NEXT ON 3/7/03, ETC...

NHTSA ODI #10026139

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Fuel System, OtherService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #609040

Official recalls

1

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.

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

2

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.