IllustrationOLDSMOBILE AURORA FUEL RAIL LEAK. EXPLOSION OCCURRED AND FIRE ENGULFED WHOLE CAR. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. GM HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM EVEN AFTER RECALL. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Aurora years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
625–50K
1150–75K
575–100K
23100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
125 reportsFUEL WAS POURING OUT OF MY ENGINE AS I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING SPACE. I LITERALLY SAW MY FUEL GAUGE GO FROM FULL TO NEARLY 1/4 IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS A FIRE STATION RIGHT THERE TO ASSIST ME. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE LOCAL GM MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF THESE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS (FUE…
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FUEL WAS POURING OUT OF MY ENGINE AS I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING SPACE. I LITERALLY SAW MY FUEL GAUGE GO FROM FULL TO NEARLY 1/4 IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES. I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS A FIRE STATION RIGHT THERE TO ASSIST ME. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE LOCAL GM MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF THESE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS (FUEL RAIL). WHEN I CONTACTED GM, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM TO WARRANT A SEARCH. I SAID THAT MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR THE NIGHT BEFORE AND IT COULD HAVE BURNED HER TO DEATH. HE SAID THAT HE WAS SORRY, BUT COULDN'T HELP ME AT THIS TIME. *AK FAULTY FUEL RAIL PROBLEM. *SC *JB
MY WIFE WENT TO PICK UP A PASSENGER (HER GRANDDAUGHTER) AND TO GO SHOPPING. SHE SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING, AND ANOTHER MOTORIST FLAGGED HER DOWN TO WARN HER THAT SHE WAS LEAKING GAS. SHE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, LEFT THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED ME. WHEN I ARRIVED, THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE…
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MY WIFE WENT TO PICK UP A PASSENGER (HER GRANDDAUGHTER) AND TO GO SHOPPING. SHE SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING, AND ANOTHER MOTORIST FLAGGED HER DOWN TO WARN HER THAT SHE WAS LEAKING GAS. SHE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, LEFT THE VEHICLE, AND CALLED ME. WHEN I ARRIVED, THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE (3' ACROSS). UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE, THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND FIREWALL WERE COVERED WITH GAS. TURNING THE IGNITION KEY, GAS SPRAYED HEAVILY FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE BETWEEN 2 OF THE INJECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER, AND REMARKS MADE BY THE MECHANIC (THAT THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE PLASTIC LINES WAS STEEL) MADE ME SUSPICIOUS ABOUT A RECALL. MY INTERNET SEARCH LEAD ME TO YOUR WEBSITE, AND SEEMED TO POINT TO GM RECALL NO. 04014; BUT IN SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH OLDSMOBILE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY VINE [XX]. MY VEHICLE (1997 AURORA), ENGINE, MALFUNCTION, AND CORRECTIVE ACTION RECOMMENDED ALL MATCH YOUR RECALL NOTICE. HAD I NOT REPLACED AN ARCING SPARK PLUG WIRE 3 WEEKS EARLIER, THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THIS RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO PREVENT POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC, SINCE I AM OUTSIDE THE RECALL; THE PLASTIC FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE STEEL LINES MENTIONED IN YOUR RECALL NOTICE. I WILL INSTRUCT THE MECHANIC TO RETURN THE FAULTY ASSEMBLY TO ME (AS INTACT AS POSSIBLE) FOR FUTURE INSPECTION, IF DESIRED. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL. THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, CAUSING STALLING. THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START AGAIN. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP/ PRESSURE REGULATOR. *AK ALL 8 FUEL INJECTIONS WERE REPLACED. (BOTH 02 SENSORS, 2 IGNITION COILS, FUEL PUMP, PRESSURE REGULATOR) THE VEHICLE ST…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL. THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, CAUSING STALLING. THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START AGAIN. AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP/ PRESSURE REGULATOR. *AK ALL 8 FUEL INJECTIONS WERE REPLACED. (BOTH 02 SENSORS, 2 IGNITION COILS, FUEL PUMP, PRESSURE REGULATOR) THE VEHICLE STILL DIED. THE FUEL LINE HAD A CRACK CAUSING THE PRESSURE REGULATOR TO POP AND THE FUEL SHOT 2-3 FEET. REFER TO RECALL#04110000. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *SC
SINCE OCTOBER 6, 2003, MY KEY IGNITION HAS MALFUNCTIONED, SOMETIMES MY CAR STARTS OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T. PRESENTLY IT STILL IS MALFUNCTIONING. *JB
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
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DRIVER SMELLED GAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL RAIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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
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
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
Official recalls
104V110000 · 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
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.