58 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
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
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.
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
FUEL RAIL SPLIT CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO MOTOR. *TR
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
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
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
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
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
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY DID NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER . THEY SENT HIM A NEW KEY, HOWEVER, THE KEY DID NOT WORK. HE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE RECALL STATED MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH OR THE WIRES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE DEALERS. *AK
FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, UNABLE TO GET EMISSIONS INSPECTION. DEALER WISHES TO CHARGE $500.00 TO REPLACE SENSOR IN GAS TANK. *NM
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
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
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
CONSUMER STATED: THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP WHILE THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT BUT NOT LEFT. *JB CONSUMER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES ABOUT THE RACK AND PINION, NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN ON BUMPY ROADS, BOTTOM OF STEERING SHAFT LOOSE, VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEED, TRANSACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT ABOUT 5MPH, CAR NOT KEEPING STRAIGHT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. THE INFORMATION BEFORE THIS CAME OFF THE INVOICES FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER. NHTSA HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2003 ON THE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. *SB
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
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
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
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
VEHICLE TAKES A LONG WAY TO STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. BRAKES HAVE TO BE PUT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE IT WILL EVEN FEEL LIKE IT IS SLOWING DOWN.
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
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.
CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL WAS CONSTANTLY COMING LOOSE, AND ALMOST FELL OFF ON ONE OCCASION. THE DEALER HAD SERVICED/REPLACED STEERING COLUMN 3 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE.*AK *PH *JB
SUPPORT ROD ON TRUNK LID SEPARATES, THIS IS THE SECOND SIDE THAT HAS NEEDED TO BE REATTACHED..*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL HAVE A HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
PROBLEM WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. MR LAP AND SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. MANUFACTURE NOTIFIED. *TT
THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE HEADLIGHT LENS IN PLACE HAS DRIED OUT, CAUSING THE LENS TO FALL OUT. *JG
AFTER VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP IT WILL LAUNCH FORWARD. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED SEVERAL TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THAT IT FILLS VEHICLE IS BRAKING, BUT FOOT IS NOT ON BRAKES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
ODOMETER READING JUMPED FROM 43000 TO 143000 WITH OUT ANY WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
HEADLIGHTS CHATTER ON AND OFF AT ANY TIME, CAR RUNNING OR OFF. SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT THIS WAS THE TENTH ONE HE HAD SEEN IN THE LAST TEN WEEKS. QUOTED $700 FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HGHWAY AT 65MPH RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF. CONSUMER NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT, GETTING VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD.*AK
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND IN ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE MAJOR FAILURES. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY, AND NOW THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED REQUIREING REPLACEMENT OF THEM AND THE PADS AGAIN. *AK
THE FRONT-PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS ARE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE OUTSIDE BRAKE PAD HAS WORN DOWN TO THE SQUEALER WHILE THE INSIDE BRAKE PAD SHOWS LITTLE WEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED THE OLDSMOBILE REPRESENTATIVE CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM AND HE HAS OPENED A CASE REPORT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN AT 16000-17000 MILES IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SOLUTION AT THAT TIME WAS TO REBUILD THE CALIPER, REPLACE THE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. WHILE TALKING TO THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS CURRENTLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT IS AFFECTING OTHER MODELS AS WELL, WHICH HAS GM ENGINEERS SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AT RESIDENCE, ALARM WILL GO OFF , ALSO HEADLIGHT AND HORN WILL COME ON. DEALER PUT VEHICLE ON COMPUTER, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. DEFECT WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK *SLC
DEFECTIVE FRONT ROTORS,CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ONLY OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED OF 50 MPH. VEHICLE IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AFTER SECOND INCIDENT, WITHIN THREE WEEKS APART, DEALER TURNED/ REPLACED FRONT ROTORS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
PRESENT MILEAGE 45,600 FIRST REPORTED ATTEMT TO FIX 24,200 MILES. DISTRICT MANAGER OLDSMOBILE SAYS THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. HE OWNED ONE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IAM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE DISTRACTION THIS HESITATION CAUSES WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE DISTRICT MGR. WILL BE A FARNSWORTH NEXT WEEK. I FEEL OLDSMOBILE DOES NOT WANT TO ABSORB THE COST INVOLVED IN SUCH A REPAIR AND HOPE THAT I WILL TRADE THE CAR. IAM AT LEAST 2 YEARS FROM TRADING. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? IT FEELS LIKE A TORQUE CONVERTER CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING, SOMETIMES EVERY FIFTEEN SECONDS. *AK
FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING. WHENEVER VEHICLE COMES TO A SLOWDOWN SPEED OR STOP POSITION IT WOULD SHUT OFF.ALMOST RESULTED IN NEAR COLLISIONS. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON NINE OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK
REAR SEAT BELT LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE. *ET
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT STOPPING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
IN THE STEERING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. THE BRAKES SEEM TO MAKE IT DO THAT WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE TROUBLE STEERING, IT'S VERY TIGHT.
WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES AND 12000 MILES,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THEY REPORTED THAT ONE LUG: NUT WAS SHEARED OFF AND ANOTHER TWO WERE LOOSE. THIS WAS THEIR FINDINGS FOR BOTH SERVICE CALLS. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN POSSIBLE VANDALISM. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE THE CASE AS THE CAR IS IN A GARGAGE AT NIGHT AND PARKED IN A SECURE AREA DURING THE DAY. I SUSPECT A SERIOUS DEFECT AND FEEL THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATNING. *AK
THE CAR HAS A PRONOUNCED 'SHUDDER/VIBRATION' AT LOW SPEED (AROUND 25MPH). THE PROBLEM INTENSIFIES WHEN TURNING RIGHT, ESPECIALLY OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. THE ROTORS APPEAR TO BE WARPED AS THEY ALSO VIBRATE UNDER BRAKING, CAUSING THE SHUDDER TO AGAIN INTENSIFY. THE DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS A 'COMMON' PROBLEM WITH AURORA'S..? *AK
WINDSHIELD WASHER MALFUNCTIONED. *YC
STEREO SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *YC
SIDE DOOR MOLDING FAILED. MJS
AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FAILED. *YC
CD PLAYER TOO FAST. YH
ENGINE HAS QUIT ON FOUR SEPERATE OCASSIONS BUT EACH TIME WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE BY PUTING IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING KEY AND DRIVING NORMALLY AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED
THE CONSUMER WAS WARMING THE VEHICLE UP, AND WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING ABOUT ONE MILE, THE CONSUMER STARTED FELLING LIGHTHEADED. PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE DOOR TO GET SOME AIR AND NOTICED THERE WERE VAPORS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. CAN'T DETERMINE WHERE THE SMELL IS COMING FROM. *AK
THE HORN SENSOR IS NOT EASILY LOCATED IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THIS IS DIFFICULT TO ACCESS WHEN DRIVER IS INABLE TO LOOK DOWN AT WHEEL TO FIND THE "SWEET SPOT" HORN PLACEMENT IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE HORN. *AK
LOUD AND KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING. ALSO REPLACED MCPHERSON STRUT. *AK
POWER STEERING RACK FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE.
GENERAL HP400 205/65R15 TIRE BLEW OUT.
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