IllustrationWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *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 reportsCONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES COMING INTO VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENT. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD, AND UNSCREWED THE COVER FROM THE ENGINE. THEN, NOTICED A GASOLINE LEAK. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL RAIL LEAK. *AK
WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK *MR
OIL CONSUMPTION AND DEFECTIVE STICK SHIFT. *AK
ENGINE COMPONENT FAILURE AT 68,000 MILES. HEAD BOLT INSERTS FAILING CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT LEAKAGE. GM SERVICE REQUEST #1-187589352. CAR PURCASED NEW WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRING IN APRIL, 2003. REPAIR ESTIMATE IN EXCESS OF $6,100. SERVICE BULLETIN 99086 ISSUED IN DEC 1999 DISCOVERED BY OWNER ON NHTSA DATABASE WHICH SERVICE …
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ENGINE COMPONENT FAILURE AT 68,000 MILES. HEAD BOLT INSERTS FAILING CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT LEAKAGE. GM SERVICE REQUEST #1-187589352. CAR PURCASED NEW WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRING IN APRIL, 2003. REPAIR ESTIMATE IN EXCESS OF $6,100. SERVICE BULLETIN 99086 ISSUED IN DEC 1999 DISCOVERED BY OWNER ON NHTSA DATABASE WHICH SERVICE DEALER CONFIRMS IS THE MODE OF FAILURE. GM CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE DENIED ASSISTANCE. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IMMINENT.*AK
STEERING WHEEL ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF IN MY SON'S HAND.. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE CAR SHOULD OF NEVER BEEN SOLD. THIS DEFAULT COULD OF KILLED MY SON. THIS CAR STAYED IN THE SHOP MORE THAN IT WAS DROVE. ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER. I GAVE THE CAR BACK TO KINGS NISSAN WHEN ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH WIRING AND FUSE CAME UP. MECHANIC SA…
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STEERING WHEEL ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF IN MY SON'S HAND.. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE CAR SHOULD OF NEVER BEEN SOLD. THIS DEFAULT COULD OF KILLED MY SON. THIS CAR STAYED IN THE SHOP MORE THAN IT WAS DROVE. ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER. I GAVE THE CAR BACK TO KINGS NISSAN WHEN ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH WIRING AND FUSE CAME UP. MECHANIC SAID THE CAR WOULD END UP CATCHING ON FIRE. I HAD ENOUGH. THIS COMPANY IS VERY RUDE AND DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS OR COMPLAINTS.
OIL PAN, LOWER BLOCK CASE OIL LEAKS THAT COST $2200.00 TO FIX. A DEALERSHIP IN SAN ANTONIO TX SAID ALL 1995 THROUGH 1999 OLDS AURORA'S DID THIS AND THAT THE 4.0L V8 ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE GASKETS COST AROUND $35.00 DOLLORS BUT THE LABOR COST $2200. GM TOLD ME IT WAS NOT TRUE THAT ALL THE OLD…
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OIL PAN, LOWER BLOCK CASE OIL LEAKS THAT COST $2200.00 TO FIX. A DEALERSHIP IN SAN ANTONIO TX SAID ALL 1995 THROUGH 1999 OLDS AURORA'S DID THIS AND THAT THE 4.0L V8 ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE GASKETS COST AROUND $35.00 DOLLORS BUT THE LABOR COST $2200. GM TOLD ME IT WAS NOT TRUE THAT ALL THE OLDS AURORA'S FROM 95 THRU 99 HAD SUCH A PROBLEM. THIS CAR WAS DESIGNED SO THAT AN OWNER THAT HAS MECHANICAL SKILLS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR HOME WITH OUT REMOVING THE ENGINE. I FEEL THIS IS A BAD DESIGN OF THE ENGINE AND CAR. I FEEL THAT THE GASKETS ARE NOT HOLDING UP DUE TO THE FACT THAT THESE CARS RUN AT A VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 225 DEGREES F. TO 250 DEGREES F AT ALL TIMES. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT THE GASKET MANUFACTURES DID NOT INTEND ON THE GASKETS INSTALLED IN THESE CARS TO BE UNDER A CONSTANT HEAT LOAD OF 225 DEGREES TO 250 DEGREES F. THE HIGH HEAT RANGE CAUSES OTHER PROBLEMS AS WELL. GM SAID TO PAY THE PRICE OR NOT BECAUSE THEY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.
FIRST PROBLEM WAS LOSS OF FREON AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS IT WAS FIXED. SECOND PROBLEM WAS RUBBER MOLDING AROUND WINDSHIELD AND TOP OF CAR DOORS 5 ATTEMPTS AND STILL NOT FIXED THIRD PROBLEM WAS AN OIL LEAK . 1ST ATTEMPT DYE TEST AND NO RESULTS, 2OND ATTEMPT NEW DESCENDING UNIT. CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH OLDSMOBILE AND RECEIVED A CAS…
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FIRST PROBLEM WAS LOSS OF FREON AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS IT WAS FIXED. SECOND PROBLEM WAS RUBBER MOLDING AROUND WINDSHIELD AND TOP OF CAR DOORS 5 ATTEMPTS AND STILL NOT FIXED THIRD PROBLEM WAS AN OIL LEAK . 1ST ATTEMPT DYE TEST AND NO RESULTS, 2OND ATTEMPT NEW DESCENDING UNIT. CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH OLDSMOBILE AND RECEIVED A CASE # AND THEY PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE OIL PAN SEAL AT NO CHARGE. I HOPE THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND RENEW MY FAITH IN THE ABILITY OF THE DEALERSHIP TO REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM.
No narrative supplied in this record.
THE HOOD INSULATION BURNED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*PH THE CONSUMER STATED THE UNDER HOOD INSULATION CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE. *CB *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.