1998 Oldsmobile AURORA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
92,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 39 complaints (12.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 25.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Electrical System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 6; 2006: 3; 2008: 2; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029683 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058447 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 107,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149976 · 2006-02-10 (February 10, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449540 · 2012-02-28 (February 28, 2012)
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 INOPERABL…
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032308 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059115 · 2004-02-10 (February 10, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137498 · 2005-09-24 (September 24, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725621 · 2000-07-18 (July 18, 2000)
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 DI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090931 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 885945 · 2001-04-16 (April 16, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137497 · 2005-09-24 (September 24, 2005)
FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, UNABLE TO GET EMISSIONS INSPECTION. DEALER WISHES TO CHARGE $500.00 TO REPLACE SENSOR IN GAS TANK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253166 · 2008-12-30 (December 30, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 13,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253166 at NHTSA ↗