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1997 Oldsmobile Aurora

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Aurora years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora are substantially higher than the model-year median of 33.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 71 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports17 fire reports1 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

4 reports
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197,000 miles · Jul 11, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

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…

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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 ODI #11004648

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002
Exterior Lighting

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN USE HEAD LIGHTS WILL JUST COME ON AND OFF. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018499

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2002
Exterior Lighting

WHILE CAR IS RUNNING OR SITTING STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF, WHILE IN MOTION THERE WILL AT TIMES BE A NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. THE DIMMER LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL FLICKER. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE NOISE IS TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON. DURING THE TIME THE CAR IS JUST SITTING, DAY OR N…

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WHILE CAR IS RUNNING OR SITTING STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF, WHILE IN MOTION THERE WILL AT TIMES BE A NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. THE DIMMER LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL FLICKER. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE NOISE IS TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON. DURING THE TIME THE CAR IS JUST SITTING, DAY OR NIGHT THE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. COULD THIS BE A SENSOR OR A LOOSE FUSE?? CAR TAKEN TO JACK HAYES IN AKRON BUT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THAT TIME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AM WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME BUT I WILL IN THE MEANTIME CALL THEM BACK BUT WAS WONDERING IF I COULD GET ANY FEEDBACK REGARDING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. THE PLASTIC BOOT UNDER THE FRONT BUMPER HAS JUST DROPPED OFF DUE TO EVIDENTLY COMING TO CLOSE TO PARKING CURBS. WOULD APPRECIATE SOME FEEDBACK SOON BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOOSE POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC. REGARDS. JOANNE OAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764749

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT KEPT FLICKERING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY SWITCH. THEN TOOK IT TO AMECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE MODULE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869994

Official recalls

1

04V110000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 4, 2004

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2004, FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WERE SENT LETTERS ON AUGUST 6, 2004. ADDITIONAL LETTERS TO OWNERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA04003 · Fuel Rail Leaks

Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Apr 23, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 C) TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK.GM'S SUPPLIER ATTRIBUTED THE CRACKING TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGN STRESSES.IN ADDITION, GM STATED THAT THE MY 1995 AURORA USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY ALSO CRACK AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IN ALL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE IN THE MY 1995 AURORAS. ON APRIL 16, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 C) TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK.GM'S SUPPLIER ATTRIBUTED THE CRACKING TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGN STRESSES.IN ADDITION, GM STATED THAT THE MY 1995 AURORA USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY ALSO CRACK AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IN ALL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE IN THE MY 1995 AURORAS. ON APRIL 16, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 C) TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK.GM'S SUPPLIER ATTRIBUTED THE CRACKING TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGN STRESSES.IN ADDITION, GM STATED THAT THE MY 1995 AURORA USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY ALSO CRACK AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IN ALL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE IN THE MY 1995 AURORAS. ON APRIL 16, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ON MARCH 3, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MY 1995-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES (RPO L47 - VIN8 C) TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE FROM CRACKED FUEL RAILS AND, IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, CRACKED FUEL RETURN LINES. ACCORDING TO GM, THE NYLON TUBING (PA12) USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION IN THESE VEHICLES MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK.GM'S SUPPLIER ATTRIBUTED THE CRACKING TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGN STRESSES.IN ADDITION, GM STATED THAT THE MY 1995 AURORA USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY ALSO CRACK AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RATES.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IN ALL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE IN THE MY 1995 AURORAS. ON APRIL 16, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS ADDING APPROXIMATELY 389,000 MY 1995-97 CADILLAC SEVILLE, DEVILLE AND ELDORADO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINES (RPO'S LD8 AND L37 - VIN8 Y AND 9) TO RECALL 04V-110.THE RECALLED CADILLACS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAILS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

PE03050 · Fuel Rail Leakage

Opened Oct 30, 2003 · Closed Feb 3, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail

THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES USED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BY DANA.THE FUEL RAIL JUMPER TUBES WERE MADE OF MONOLAYER NYLON 12 (PA12).IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998, THE JUMPER TUBE MATERIAL WAS CHANGED FROM PA12 TO M-BOND (A MULTI-LAYER PTFE/PA12).IN ADDITION, ALL SERVICE PARTS PRODUCED SINCE THE END OF PRODUCTION 1997 USE THE M-BOND JUMPER TUBES. MATERIAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED BY DANA ON FAILED FUEL RAILS SHOWED THAT THE MONO-LAYER NYLON 12 JUMPER TUBES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING (ESC).GM BELIEVES THE ESC IS A RESULT OF HEAT, TIME, ALCOHOL BLENDED FUEL, FUEL PRESSURE CYCLING, AND DESIGNED IN STRESS. EIGHT OF THE GM COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF ODI COMPLAINTS.ODI HAS RECEIVED 77 OF IT'S 123 COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.FUEL RAIL PART SALES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS RANGE FROM 3.0 PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR THE MY 1997 CADILLAC VEHICLES TO 13.1 PERCENT FOR THE MY 1995 AURORAS.AT LEAST ONE OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHIN A GARAGE ATTACHED TO THE CONSUMERS HOME.THE FIRE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE DWELLING AS WELL AS THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.