RoadVitals

1996 Oldsmobile Aurora Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest May 6, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 100 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed May 6, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE DURING THE WINTER. HE HOOKED UP A BATTERY CHARGER TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY AND NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. AS HE WAS EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. HE WAS AT A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT THE TIME AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HELPED HIM EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHERE THE FIRE ORIGINATED, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 06/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/09/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10267829
Incident
May 5, 2009
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemTransmission
Filed Mar 24, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT CRANK. THE CONTACT MUST EXIT AND RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WILL START. IN ADDITION, SHE SMELLED GASOLINE WHILE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10262953
Incident
Dec 18, 2008
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Jun 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASH BOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, CHIMED AND RINGED. AS A RESULT OF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, NONE OF THE DASH BOARD SENSORS WORKED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 95V204000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR AIR RIDE SENSOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL WELL TO BECOME 6 INCHES HIGHER THAN NORMAL. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR WHERE BOTH REAR AIR RIDE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER THE LEFT REAR AIR RIDE SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER; THIS DID NOT FIX THE STALLING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
10160918
Incident
Jun 27, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 28, 2005

NHTSA #95V204000, I CALLED GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID IT'S NOT THEIR RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10138052
Incident
Sep 28, 2005
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Sep 7, 2005

DT: THE ALARM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY/THE CHIME INDICATOR AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING IS INOPERATIVE. THESE PROBLEMS HAS AFFECTED THE LIGHTER AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DOORS. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE YET. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CONTROL MODULE, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THIS STARTED ON JANUARY 7,2005. THE LIGHTING WOULD WORK FOR TEN MINUTES AT A TIME AT FIRST, BUT NOW THEY WERE COMPLETELY OUT. THE COOLING FANS HAVE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED.*AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10135547
Incident
Jan 7, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2004

CAR WILL NOT START NO SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AND SECURITY LIGHT REMAINS ON. USUALLY STARTS AFTER SEVERAL HOURS. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WORK. NEW BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND COMPUTER INSTALLED. SECURITY LIGHT STILL ON. PLEASE HELP.*AK

NHTSA ID
10080520
Incident
Jul 2, 2004
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE CONSUMERS MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. (UNDERHOOD) THE FIRE SEEMED TO HAVE STARTED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, AROUND THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10073962
Incident
Apr 13, 2004
Mileage
106,477 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Jun 23, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10079732
Incident
Mar 26, 2004
Mileage
116,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 11, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES FROM THE VENT. AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10076131
Incident
Jun 11, 2004
ElectricalTires & wheels
Filed Oct 27, 2003
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALSO, LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10044775
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10037776
Incident
Mar 10, 2003
Electrical
Filed Mar 5, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.*JB

NHTSA ID
10009978
Incident
Mar 5, 2003
Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2003
Fire reported

THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE SEAT, THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNED WIRES.*JB

NHTSA ID
10006892
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 11, 2002

54,697 MILES, THROTTLE STICKING. 62000 MILES, ENGINE MISFIRING, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. 63K MILES, SERPINTINE BELT BROKE. 68,560 MILES, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. INPUT SPEED SENSOR INSIDE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. INTERNAL HARNESS FOUND TO BE LEAKING FLUID PAST TERMINALS TO OUTSIDE OF TRANSMISSION WHICH IN TURN CAUSED SATURATION OF EXTERNAL HARNESS ALSO. AIR CONDITIONING ALSO NOT WORKING. AT 69,356 MILES THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLOMN BROKE. THE TOW TRUCK MAN TRIED TO TURN THE WHEELS WHEN THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE BECAUSE OF THE ALTENATOR GOING OUT. THE ALTENATOR DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER. THE TOW TRUCK MAN DID NOT PUT EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FLOPPING AROUND LOOSE. A PIN HAD COME LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID IT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WE SOLD THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
759199
Incident
Feb 2, 2002
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 13, 2001

HEADLIGHTS, AND SECURITY SYSTEM COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE MALL MODULE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHUR INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
890291
Incident
May 13, 2001
Electrical
Filed May 27, 2001

THIS 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA HAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO FIX THE STARTER AND REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY IS IN A CONTROL CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS UNDER THE SEAT AND ACCESS IS BY REMOVING THE ENTIRE CHAIR. THE STARTER RENDERS EVERTHING USELESS AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO ORDER. I AM JUST GLAD THAT THE STARTER AND BATTERY DID NOT BLOW UP WHILE IN TRANSIT OR LIVES AROUND IT. IT COULD HAVE BLOWN UP AND INJURES COULD HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED. QUOTE BY MASTER MECHANIC=WESLACO MOTORS SERVICE CENTER, WESLACO TEXAS 78596

NHTSA ID
745966
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+6 more
Filed Aug 16, 2000

POP NOISE HEARD WHEN OPENING HATCHBACK, DEALER LUBED THE HINGES. *SLC

NHTSA ID
553672
Incident
Jan 21, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jan 29, 1998
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AFTER AN ACCIDENT AND BATTERY ACID WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BACK INTERIOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
807121
Incident
Jul 22, 1996
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 16, 1996

BACK SEAT CAME LOOSE, DURING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
509968
Incident
Oct 2, 1996

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .