OLDSMOBILE AURORA · model year

1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998OLDSMOBILEAURORA carries 53 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 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 1998 AURORA is engine and engine cooling with 5 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (4) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (4). 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 1998 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.

53
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

53 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1

Recent Complaints

20140706ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE RUNNING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET, KEY SWITCH JUST SUDDENLY TURNED BACK AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. NO BRAKING, AND NO STEERING. HAD TO TRY AND STEER OFF TO A SAFE PLACE. ONGOING ISSUE AS THE IGNITION SWITCH IS STILL IN THIS CONDITION ENDANGERING MY LIFE, MY FAMILY'S LIFE, AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS. *JS

Mileage: 260,050

20120228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME IN OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COOLANT LEAKAGE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWENTY TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20100130FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I WAS MOVING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD,AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WE GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT IT OUT,I CHECK ONLINE FOR RECALL AND FOUND OUT THIS CAR HAD A RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM WHICH WAS A RUPTURE IN THE FUEL INJECTION NYLON LINE THE YEAR PRIOR AFTER NOTIFYING GM OH THE PROBLEM I WAS MOVED FROM PERSON TOO PERSON FOR 4 WEEKS ONLY BE TOLD THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TOO TAKE CAR TOO A DEALER BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD IT,THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE AND NEED BE ADDRESSED QUICKLY THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20100101FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL RAIL SPLIT CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO MOTOR. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20081230ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 1998 AURORA AS WHEEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF CAR SHUTTING DOWN. FIRST I HAD THE MODULE REPLACED AND IT STILL DID IT. AND THEN I WAS TOLD TO GET MY FUEL INJECTORS CLEANED AND I KEPT INJECTOR CLEANER IN MY CAR WHEN I FILLED UP AND THE I FINALLY GOT A FULL TUNE UP AND AFTER THAT NO PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BAD SPARK PLUG WIRES WILL CAUSE THIS AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 13,600

20080317ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SHE SHIFTED GEARS TO PARK AND THEN DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT. THREE MECHANICS PERFORMED TEST TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND CORRECTING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,800. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF

Mileage: 104,800

20060818ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

LIGHTS COME ON AND FLICKER BY THEMSELVES EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THERE IS THE SMELL OF BURNED RUBBER PRESENT SOME OF THE TIMES. *JB

20060329CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

I OWN A 1998 AURORA. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENTIRE FRONT LEFT TIRE ASSEMBLY (WHEEL, BRAKE SYSTEM, STRUTS, ETC) SEPARATED FROM THE CAR, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND DESTROYING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION IS UNKNOWN. THE CAR DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANY FOREIGN OBJECT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE WAS RECOVERED WITH THE STRUT? AND BRACKET ASSEMBLIES? STILL ATTACHED TO THE TIRE. I'M FILING A COMPLAINT TO DETERMINE IF ANY OTHER INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN HOPES OF PREVENTING ANY OTHER AURORA OWNERS FROM EXPERIENCING SUCH A LIFE THREATENING INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY IN HOPES OF DETERMINING A CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *NM

Mileage: 89,700

20060210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR STALLS ONCE A DAY, ALMOST EVERY DAY IN TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T QUITE STALL AND CATCHES ITSELF AND LEARCHES FORWARD A FEW FEET. NEITHER OLDSMOBILE OR INDIPENDENT MECHANICS CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. THA CODES ARE THERE IN MEMORY OF THE CAR BUT THE CODES DO NOT SAY WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. KNOW ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO OTHER THAN GUESSING AND CHANGING EXPENSIVE PARTS. *NM

Mileage: 86,000

20050924FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, UNABLE TO GET EMISSIONS INSPECTION. DEALER WISHES TO CHARGE $500.00 TO REPLACE SENSOR IN GAS TANK. *NM

Mileage: 92,000

20050924POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER SWITCH INTERMIT MALFUNCTION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CANNOT GET EMISSION INSPECTION. DEALER WISHES TO REMOVE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, $1000, TO REPLACE $50.00 SENSOR. *NM

Mileage: 98,000

20050712FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY

I HAVE HEARD ALOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ON THESE CARS HAVE A TENDENCY TO GO BAD I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT WANTING TO START IT JUST TURNS OVER AND OVER AND FINALLY WILL START THE O-RING STARTED LEAKING FUEL EVERYWHERE HERE RECENTLY AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PART

Mileage: 156,315

20050707FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA FUEL RAIL SYSTEM LEAKING GAS OUT OF THE PLASTIC LINES ON TOP OF MOTOR AND CAN CATCH FIRE VERY EASILY IF NOT COUGHT IN TIME. IT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE 96 & ON THE FORUMS THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF 97 & 98S THAT HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MINE CHANGED AND IT COST CLOSE TO $600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. PLEASE TAKE A REAL CLOSE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM DUE TO ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THESE CARS ARE OLDER OR LIKE ME HAVE 2 VERY SMALL CHILDREN STRAPED INTO CAR SEATS. THANKS

Mileage: 85,000

20050323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PURCHASED A 1998 AURORA IN 2002 - FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY SHUTS OFF WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY WARINING. IT HAS EVEN DONE SO JUST SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED THIS MONTH BECAUSE THE ENGINE DIED AS I WAS SIMPLY MAKING A TURN. LUCKILY THERE WAS ENOUGH BIRM SPACE TO VEER THE CAR OF THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN SLOWING OR STOPPING WITH ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER TAPPING THE GAS TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM DYING. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER WITH NO FINDINGS.*AK

20050301FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED, AND THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL GAS AND SEE A LEAK. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL RAIL WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA'S THE FUEL RAIL RECALL 04V110100 . *AK *NM

Mileage: 130,000

20040913ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

1. THE LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND STARTED FLICKERING. 2.THIS DRAINED THE BATTERY. 3. THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE MULTI FUNCTION STALK SWITCH AND A MODULE UNDER THE DASH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AURORA'S, AND I FEEL THAT OLDSMOBILE NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS OR AT LEAST REIMBURSE ALL OF THE OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH ON GGOGLE.COM FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 41,000

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PAINT IS MINOR, EXCEPT DEALER DID PAINT CAR LEFT FRONT FENDER NEW AND SINCE THEN CLEAR COAT HAS RUBBED OFF. AIR IS ANOTHER. 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY UNTILL FAILURE AT 107,000. $1400 FOR NEW COMPRESSOR, HOSES AND TO MAKE UP FOR BAD DEAKLER WORK. CAR NOW HAS INTERMITTENT AIR FAILURE, SHUTTING OFF AND RE-START CAUSE COMPRESSOR TO COME BACK ON.

Mileage: 46,000

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PAINT IS MINOR, EXCEPT DEALER DID PAINT CAR LEFT FRONT FENDER NEW AND SINCE THEN CLEAR COAT HAS RUBBED OFF. AIR IS ANOTHER. 3 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY UNTILL FAILURE AT 107,000. $1400 FOR NEW COMPRESSOR, HOSES AND TO MAKE UP FOR BAD DEAKLER WORK. CAR NOW HAS INTERMITTENT AIR FAILURE, SHUTTING OFF AND RE-START CAUSE COMPRESSOR TO COME BACK ON.

Mileage: 46,000

20040317SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

BRAKES CONTINUE TO VIBRATE AND ROTORS WEAR PREMATURELY. REPLACED PADS, TURNED ROTOR THREE TIMES IN 75000 MILES, PROBLEM OF VIBRATION AND SHAKING REAPPEARED AFTER 15000 MILES EACH TIME BRAKES WERE REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 36,000

20040223STEERING

THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AT LOW AND ZERO SPEEDS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED GRINDING, GROWLING AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHEN TURNING AT A LOW SPEED OR AT STOP. *LA THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE ENGINE THEREFORE THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED, AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE PUMP, O-RING, GEAR ASSEMBLY, SWITCH SHIELDS TIE ROD ENDS, AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WHEN THE VIBRATION OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS. *SC

Compare 1998OLDSMOBILEAURORA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA have?
The 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA has 53 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA?
The most-complained component for the 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR.
Is the 1998 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.