RoadVitals

2003 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.
7
Latest Jun 10, 2018
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 Jul 1, 2003
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 366 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

  • Electrical222.2%
  • Airbags222.2%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Heating & air conditioning111.1%
  • Body & structure111.1%

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
03V238000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jul 1, 2003
102,212 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.
The risk: FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03038View on NHTSA.gov
02V222000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Aug 9, 2002
133,221 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
The risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 02032View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Jun 10, 2018

DASH BOARD LITE SAYS "AI R BAG PROBLEM" EVERY TIME YOU START THE ENGINE

NHTSA ID
11100761
Incident
Jan 3, 2016
Mileage
91,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 23, 2016

I HAVE A FUEL LINE ON MY CAR THAT IS CRACKED AND I HAVE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR THE FUEL LINE ONLINE AND AT O'REILLY BUT THAT PART DOESN'T EXIST ANYWHERE. I HAVE CALLED OLDSMOBILE AND THE PHONE RECORDING SAYS THAT MY CAR HAD 3 OPEN RECALLS. WHEN I TALK TO A PERSON THEY TOLD ME NO THOSE RECALLS WERE CLOSED ON MY CAR. BUT FOR ONE SPECIFIC RECALL IT DESCRIBES MY EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE NON EXISTENT PART THAT IS CRACKED ON MY CAR. THAT PART ALSO HAS A DATE FOR BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. I'VE TALKED TO THE GM DEALER NEAR WHERE I LIVE AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THE SAME THING THAT THOSE RECALLS ARE CLOSED. NOW CLOSED AND REPAIRED HAVE 2 DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS I THOUGHT. THE FUEL LINE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M A SINGLE MOM THAT DRIVES MY KIDS AROUND. WHAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND THAT CRACK IN MY FUEL LINE STARTING LEAKING FUEL ON MY ENGINE. BUT BECAUSE OLDSMOBILE AND GM SAY ITS BEEN CLOSED AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME THAT I'M SUPPOSE TO WAIT UNTIL MY CAR BLOWS UP ONE OF THESE DAYS WITH ME AND MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND WE ALL DIE? I AM SO UNBELIEVABLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS ISSUE THAT I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO NOT SEE THIS RECALL REPAIR ON MY CAR. ITS OBVIOUS A SAFETY CONCERN. AS WELL AS THE OTHER RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND NOT REPAIRS. ONE FOR AN AIRBAG AND ANOTHER FOR THE PCM REPROGRAMMED AT IGNITION COIL.

NHTSA ID
10851280
Incident
Mar 20, 2016
Mileage
146,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 10, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10405853
Incident
May 15, 2011
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING AND HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD CALL GM TO CHECK IF THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED FOR FREE UNDER WARRANTY. GM STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT COULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS WITH A 10% DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ID
10269629
Incident
May 11, 2009
Mileage
69,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Sep 15, 2006

1. WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITION THE CAR WILL CUT OFF, THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN FIX. 2. CAR IS CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON. 3. WINDOW WHIPERS COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO AND THEY WILL NOT CUT OFF WITH THE SWITCH I HAVE TO CUT THE CAR OFF AND START IT AGAIN IN ORDER FOR THE WHIPERS TO STOP.

NHTSA ID
10168411
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Aug 3, 2004
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT CRASHED INTO A TOWED HITCHED TRAILER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC NOTIFIED CONSUMER THAT A DETERMINATION HAD NOT BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087139
Incident
Aug 3, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Jul 9, 2004

VINYL COVERING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAY DEPLOYMENT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO UNEXPECTED INJURIES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081642
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Mileage
46,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIP4723J

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.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

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
2003Viewing720—
2002252041.3
20011191041.9
2000400—
1999332052.3
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.