OLDSMOBILE AURORA · model year

1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA

149 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996OLDSMOBILEAURORA carries 149 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 11 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 AURORA is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings with 21 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail (10) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 1996 AURORA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

149
Complaints
2
Crashes
11
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

149 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS21
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
SEATS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY3
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM3
INTERIOR LIGHTING3
SUSPENSION2

Recent Complaints

20130726FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 18,614

20120717EQUIPMENT

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

20120309FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20090722FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN INTENSE ODOR OF GASOLINE AND FOUND A PINHOLE IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2004 ACCORDING TO A RECALL, AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT ALL OF THE PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR, AND THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED DUE TO IMPROPER REPAIR WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 207,000.

Mileage: 207,000

20090506FireSEATS

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

Mileage: 150,000

20090506FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 150,000

20090324FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

20090324POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

20090324ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20080318FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY, BUT WOULD ALWAYS START ON THE SECOND TRY. ALSO NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE ODOR PROGRESSIVELY GOT STRONGER UNTIL A PINHOLE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED IN ONE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL. WHEN I CALLED OLDSMOBILE ABOUT THIS THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR A PROPER DIAGNOSIS (AND OF COURSE REPAIR) AT A GM DEALERSHIP. THE IRONIC THING IS THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONTACTED BY GM (ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO) ABOUT THE FUEL RAIL RECALL AND TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE FUEL RAIL REPLACED EVEN THOUGH NOW OLDSMOBILE IS SAYING THAT THE RECALL NEVER EFFECTED MY VIN. *TR

Mileage: 195,000

20080205FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WOULD LEAK ALONG THE FUEL RAIL. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2004 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AT 106,000 MILES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE DUE TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,534.

Mileage: 138,534

20071120FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CAR KEEPS STALLING. ESPECIALLY IN WINTER. STRONG GAS ODOR IN VEHICLE. NOTICED FUEL SPRAYING OVER ENGINE WHILE TRY TO PUT COOLANT IN CAR. RECENTLY GOT A NOTICE FOR RECALL ON FUEL RAIL. DEALERSHIP SAID FUEL LINE IS THE REASON FOR LEAK. WAS UNABLE TO DO RECALL REPAIR UNLESS LINE IS REPLACED FIRST. LINE ISN'T COVERED IN RECALL THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE. *TR

20070112FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* - SOMETIME IN JUNE OF 2005 THE CONTACT TOOK HIS 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA TO THE DEALER (BELISE OLDSMOBILE) TO HAVE A RECALL SERVICE PERFORM ON THE VEHICLE. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL RAIL, BUT DIDN'T REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN LINE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THEY SHOULD OF REPLACED HIS FUEL RETURN LINE FREE OF CHARGE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V110000. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE REPAIR. *NM

Mileage: 140,000

20060627ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20060627SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20060627ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20060521FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHEN STOPPED TO REFUEL, THE OUTSIDE TANK WOULD NOT OPEN, EVEN WITH THE TRUNK "FUEL DOOR RELEASE". THERE WAS SOMETHING BURNING, MY HUSBAND PULLED BACK THE TRUNK LINER AND FOUND A PART "R4060" ALSO STAMPED "52713" AND ELECTRICAL PART BEST GUESS 5044678 AS IT IS PARTLY MELTED. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS CONNECTED TO THE FUEL LINE. WE HAVE TAKEN ARE CAR IN FOR THE RECALLS RELATING TO THE FUEL LINE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FUEL RELATED EXPLOSION AT THE TIME OF FUELING OR AFTER IT WAS SAT IN OUR GARAGE. REQUESTING INVESTIGATION, WE DISCONNECTED THE HALF MELTED PART WHICH EXPOSES THE INSIDE MATERIALS. WE WENT TO THE RECALL WEBSITE TO CHECK IF THIS WAS A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOT CLEAR. *JB

20060221STEERING:COLUMN

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20060221STEERING

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20060221SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 120,000

Compare 1996OLDSMOBILEAURORA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA have?
The 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA has 149 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 11 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA?
The most-complained component for the 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1996 OLDSMOBILE AURORA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.