RoadVitals

1997 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.
21
Latest Jul 11, 2017
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.
17%
of 125 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.
4
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 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 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

ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Jul 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ENGINE BEING STARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 197,000.

NHTSA ID
11004648
Incident
Feb 2, 2017
Mileage
197,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2017

USED THE REMOTE START FEATURE DURING 24 DEG WEATHER AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FIXED WINDOW SHATTERED. POSSIBLE CAUSE WOULD BE A SHORT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST UNIT, WHICH COMES ON WHEN USING REMOTE START IN COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ID
10949108
Incident
Feb 2, 2017
Mileage
38,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IN ADDITION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A MIST WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10749949
Incident
Aug 14, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 11, 2011

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 1997 OLDS AURORA. IT HAS NO POWER AT ALL. BEFORE NOW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TAKING A LONG TIME TO START. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH CLEAN KEY, WAIT 3 MINUTES. A PROBLEM WHERE IT SEEMS AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THE INFORMATION CENTER WAS RESET AS IF THE POWER WAS LOST WHILE SITTING. I ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT EVEN THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT ON THIS CAR AFTER CHECKING IT OVER FOR DAYS, THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS REGISTERING HOTTER THAN THE MACHINE THAT THEY USED TO CHECK THE TEMPERATURE WITH. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR FAR AT ALL BECAUSE IT OVERHEATS BEFORE EVEN GOING TWO MILES. NOW I HAVE NO TYPE OF POWER, NO INSIDE LIGHTS, NO HORN, THE REMOTE WON'T WORK. NO LIFE AT ALL. ALL THE FUSES ARE GOOD. CAN'T EVEN GET ANY POWER BY CONNECTING IT TO A CHARGER OR JUMP STARTING THE CAR. NOTHING AT ALL WORKS. THE CAR IS LIFELESS!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS CAR AND I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2004. *TT

NHTSA ID
10411882
Incident
Jul 8, 2011
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 19, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND CUT THE INCORRECT WIRES FOR THE BATTERY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 05/29/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10269348
Incident
May 15, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2008

WHILE PARKED, ON A HOT DAY, MY PARKING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT & RECONNECT THE BATTERY TO SAVE IT FROM DISCHARGE EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. IM AFRAID IT MAY CATCH FIRE (FROM OTHER REPORTS I'VE HEARD.) *TR

NHTSA ID
10233819
Incident
Jun 23, 2008
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 16, 2006

I WAS BEGINNING A SUNDAY MORNING DRIVE TODAY IN MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. IT WAS A FEW HOURS AGO WITH MY FAMILY ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON I-480 WEST ENROUTE TO OUR VACATION. AFTER I HIT MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES SO I CAN GET OFF AT OUR EXIT. THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS STUCK. THERE WAS AN INTENSE BURNING SMELL AND SECONDS LATER SMOKE START STEAMING FROM MY STEERING. I PULLED THE 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA OVER AND PRESSED DOWN ON THE HAZARD BUTTON TO RELEASE IT AND NOTICE THAT THE HAZARD BUTTON WAS STUCK TOO. FINALLY, I TURNED THE KEY TO THE IGNITION OFF AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE SMOKE STOPPED. SOON AS I STARTED UP THE CAR THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS UNSTUCK HOWEVER THE HAZARD BUTTON WAS STILL STUCK AS SMOKE BEGAN SEEPING FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED UP THE CAR AGAIN, EACH TIME THERE WAS THE SAME OUTCOME, STUCK HAZARD BUTTON, BURNING SMELL, AND SMOKE. MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I GOT THE CAR TOWED HOME AND WAS TOLD FROM THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT IT PROBABLY WAS SOME ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS FORTUNATELY THAT IT DIDN'T CAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE GM AUTO REPAIR SHOPS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162513
Incident
Jul 16, 2006
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 5, 2005
Fire reported

I RETURNED FROM A TRIP AND PARKED MY CAR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I WAS WALKING BY MY CAR AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, I OPENED THE CAR, AND THERE WAS FIRE ON THE DASHBOARD. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME A FEW MINUTES LATER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10144458
Incident
Dec 4, 2005
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 16, 2005

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SHORT IN HEADLIGHTS AND SEAT AND MIRROR SHORTAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142912
Incident
Nov 15, 2005
Mileage
79,793 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 3, 2005

DT:06/23/04 HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN CAR IS NOT RUNNING. HEADLIGHTS SEEM TO FLASH ONLY IN HOT WEATHER. DEALER REPORTS THE SWITCH'S MALFUNCTION IS HEAT RELATED. DEALER REPORTS THAT THE CAR IS JUST OLD AND NEEDS A $525 REPLACEMENT. *NM *NM

NHTSA ID
10120734
Incident
Jun 23, 2004
Mileage
89,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2004

IGNITION FAILURE. ERROR MESSAGE TO CLEAN KEY AND WAIT 3 MINUTES. THE KEY HAS A MICROCHIP, AND THE MICROCHIP HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS WORKING CORRECTLY. THE IGNOTION SWITCH, WHEN TESTED IS SHOWING TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. NO ONE CAN GIVE ME A REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION, BUT I HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10078796
Incident
Jun 25, 2004
Mileage
103,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2004

SINCE OCTOBER 6, 2003, MY KEY IGNITION HAS MALFUNCTIONED, SOMETIMES MY CAR STARTS OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T. PRESENTLY IT STILL IS MALFUNCTIONING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10066396
Incident
Oct 6, 2003
Electrical
Filed Mar 15, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

NHTSA ID
10063215
Incident
Feb 8, 2004
Mileage
149,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 24, 2003
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 20-25 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10030089
ElectricalFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 15, 2003

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 ID
10026139
Incident
Mar 6, 2003
Mileage
59,580 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Mar 5, 2002

THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK AND LUMBAR SWITCHES WERE INOPERATIVE DUE TO WIRING FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ID
564569
Incident
Oct 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Oct 15, 2001

BATTERY DIED, AND AND DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCED. WHEN BATTERY WENT DEAD HAD NO WAY TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE BUT HAD TO BREAK GLASS.*AK CONSUMER DOES NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
897744
Incident
Oct 1, 2001
ElectricalSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Dec 21, 1999

ALTERNATOR OVERCHARGING FULL TIME WITH THE SMELL OF ACID INSIDE THE CAB.. DURING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER, I AM TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM; OPERATING AS DESIGN. THE HEAD RESTS WON'T HOLD FACTORY SETTINGS. L/ REPLACED AND WHEN COMPALINED ABOUT THE R/, AM TOLD THAT ONE IS NEW. "OPERATING AS DESIGNED" EVEN THOUGH IT WON'T HOLD SETTING. *AK

NHTSA ID
716287
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Dec 20, 1999

SEE: ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
716286
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING NOISE. MJS

NHTSA ID
606869
Incident
Jan 5, 1998
Electrical
Filed Feb 1, 1999

HORN FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ID
606745
Incident
Aug 1, 1998

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .