RoadVitals

1999 Oldsmobile Aurora

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
33
Latest Nov 24, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 27, 1999
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora, most frequently naming the electrical, other / unspecified and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 64 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical616.7%
  • Other / unspecified513.9%
  • Interior & seats411.1%
  • Steering411.1%
  • Engine411.1%
  • Airbags38.3%
  • Brakes25.6%
  • Driver assistance25.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
99V238000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Aug 27, 1999
988 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.
The risk: IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 99038View on NHTSA.gov
99V081000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

Apr 14, 1999
38 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
The risk: A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION CAN PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE INCREASED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT ROTORS, CALIPER ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 99020View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Airbags
Filed Nov 24, 2014
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10660468
Incident
Nov 20, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 2013
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V081000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. UPDATED 10/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAME OUT OF A STORE TO FIND IT WAS SNOWING. AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT UP ON A SNOW BANK. UPDATED 3/30/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10551160
Incident
Sep 1, 2013
Mileage
175,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed May 15, 2012
Fire reported

ON 5/11/2012 MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WAS PARKED AT MY HOUSE AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM AND APPARENTLY OVERNIGHT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS LIMITED TO THE BASE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND CENTER CONSOLE BUT CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE CAR, INCLUDING SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10458504
Incident
May 11, 2012
Suspension
Filed Sep 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE TRACTION CAUSING THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONSISTENTLY HAVE THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10426421
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Mileage
82,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10390122
Incident
Mar 11, 2011
Mileage
116,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2010

DEAR SIR: I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA THAT I PURCHASED NEW, WITH A DELIVERY DATE OF 09/22/1999. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY BY MY WIFE WITH APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE HAVE KEPT THE CAR UP AND NOW FIND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT WE FEEL IS NEITHER OF OUR DOING NOR A NORMAL WARE ITEM. IN THE PAST TWO (2) YEAR THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BECOME LOOSE INTERNALLY. TODAY AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE WRITER SAYS THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO TIGHTEN THE THREE (3) BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE COLUMN ASSEMBLY TOGETHER COSTING $540.00. MY WIFE IS HAVING OTHER ITEMS WORKED ON TODAY AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IS VERY RELUCTANT TO PERFORM THE STEERING COLUMN WORK BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES, AS I DO, THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE A SAFETY ITEM GM SHOULD PAY FOR. WE UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY RECALL NOTICE. UNDER THE PRESENT RECALL ATMOSPHERE, I AM ASKING THAT GM REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. IF THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN IT COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE AND INJURY. AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE STATEMENT ABOVE, TODAY I HAVE JUST FINISHED SPEAKING TO AN OLDSMOBLE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD GM WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308722
Incident
Feb 11, 2010
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 22, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE CRACKING BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE FROM NYLON MATERIALS. OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITION, GASOLINE WOULD DRIP ONTO THE MOTOR IN MASSIVE QUANTITIES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED UNDER HIS VIN; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10274664
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 13, 2007

LAST YEAR I TOOK MY 1999 AURORA IN TO TIRE DEALER DUE TO VERY SLOW LEAK IN TIRE. THE TIRE DEALER SAID THE SLOW LEAK WAS COMMON IN GM VEHICLES WITH ALUMINUM RIMS. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO ALUMINUM OXIDE CORROSION BETWEEN THE RIM AND TIRE BEAD. 1-2 TIMES PER MONTH THE TIRES LOOK LOW AND I HAVE TO FILL THEM. TODAY I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE TIRE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY SAID THE ONLY PERMANENT SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE RIMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10211775
Incident
Dec 12, 2007

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Aurora by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003720—
2002252041.3
20011191041.9
2000400—
1999Viewing332052.3
1998490035.3
19971251253.0
19961002458.9
19953212562.2
1994200—
1993100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.