1996 Oldsmobile Aurora Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system4635.4%
- Electrical1914.6%
- Engine1713.1%
- Steering75.4%
- Driver assistance75.4%
- Interior & seats75.4%
- Exterior lighting64.6%
- Brakes32.3%
- Suspension32.3%
- Transmission32.3%
- Other / unspecified32.3%
- Body & structure32.3%
- Heating & air conditioning21.5%
- Visibility10.8%
- Seat belts10.8%
- Tires & wheels10.8%
- Airbags10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1996 OLD AURORA FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND EMITTING A STRONG GAS ORDER. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 04014. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WOULD LEAK ONTO THE FUEL LINES ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN INTO THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PUSHED OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES VIBRATE AND PULSATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM.
THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE CUT OFF WHICH HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK WITH LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING. WHEN PULLING OFF THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF INTO DRIVER'S HANDS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND STILL VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, SURGING FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO HELP CONSUMER TO STOP AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, CRUISE SET,AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. BEFORE CONSUMER COULD SLOW VEHICLE DOWN IT HAD ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. CONSUMER WAS THEN ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES HARD.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS, AND INSIDE LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON, THE ONLY LIGHTS WORKING ARE THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR, AND THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN IF THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED, THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING IS INCLUDED IN A RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VIN # T4113007 HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING WHEN KEY WAS NOT IN IGNITION AND CAR WAS OFF. CONTIUED FLICKERING WHILE DRIVING. BATERRY WOULD GO DEAD UNLESS IT WAS DICONNECTED WHEN CAR WAS NOT OPERATING. AUDIBLE CLICKING HEARD UNDER LEFT DASH DURING OPERATION AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS OFF. WHEN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLE I NOTICED THE POSITIVE TERMINAL WAS EXTREMELY HOT. COULD REPRESENT A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO BATTERY BEING LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT WHERE, BY THE WAY, MY CHILDREN RIDE. DEALER REPLACED MALL ( MULTIFUNCTION ALARM LOCKING AND LIGHTING) MODULE AT A COST OF OVER $500. I NOTICED MANY REFERENCES TO THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR DEFECT IN 1995, BUT DEALER SAID MY VIN WAS OUTSIDE THE RANGE OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN. SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN INTO THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PUSHED OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES VIBRATE AND PULSATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM.
POP NOISE HEARD WHEN OPENING HATCHBACK, DEALER LUBED THE HINGES. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
POP NOISE HEARD WHEN OPENING HATCHBACK, DEALER LUBED THE HINGES. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL SPILLING ON TO THE TOP OF ENGINE. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE NYLON FUEL CONNECTORS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL CONNECTORS CRACKED BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE ON THE NYLON. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SLAMMED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL OR SKIP. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
CPSC#I1250398A. BLITZ RHINO RAMPS, 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. CONSUMER STATED AFTER DRIVING HIS CAR ONTO THE RAMP, HE NOTICED THE BASE OF THE RAMP UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED. HE ALSO STATED HE ONLY USED THE RAMP FIVE TIMES AFTER PURCHASE. *LN
I HAD A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA THAT THE ENGINE EXPLODED INTO FIRE DUE TO LEAKING FUEL PROBABLY FROM THE FUEL RAILS THAT WERE PLASTIC AND ARE BEING RECALLED NOW. GM REFUSED MY CLAIM AT THE TIME BUT NOW SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
POP NOISE HEARD WHEN OPENING HATCHBACK, DEALER LUBED THE HINGES. *SLC
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. TAIL LIGHTS/ HEADLIGHTS, AND INSIDE LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON, THE ONLY LIGHTS WORKING ARE THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR, AND THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR STAYS ON EVEN IF THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED, THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING IS INCLUDED IN A RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO FILL THE VEHICLE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. DEALER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MODULE BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT CONTROLLED THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT. THAT BOX MELTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
POP NOISE HEARD WHEN OPENING HATCHBACK, DEALER LUBED THE HINGES. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BUCKLE INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IN AN EMERGENCY HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG COMPUTER WARNING SYSTEM FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .