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2002 Oldsmobile AURORA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

25 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 25 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior624.0%
Fuel system concerns416.0%
Electrical and battery issues28.0%
Transmission and shifting14.0%
Engine operation14.0%
Braking behavior14.0%

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.

Suspension
4
Electrical System
3
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
Steering
2
Structure:Body
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension4
Electrical System3
Exterior Lighting:Headlights3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly3
Steering2
Structure:Body2
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator1

Suspension: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 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.

2002
2
2003
3
2004
4
2005
2
2006
2
2007
2
2008
3
2009
1
2010
2
2012
1
2014
1
2022
1
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20022
20033
20044
20052
20062
20072
20083
20091
20102
20121
20141
20221
20241

2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10091086 · 2004-09-15 (September 15, 2004)

CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END/UNDERCARRAIGE, ON TURNS OR BUMPS, CAN BE FELT IN STEERING, SINCE 15000 MILES (NOTICED SOMETIME AFTER IMPLODED GAS TANK REPLACEMENT). FOUR DEALERS WORKED ON AT LEAST 10 TIMES - REPLACED STEERING GEAR, LUBED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, REPLACED STRUT BEARINGS, REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, REPLACED REAR SHOCK - STILL CLUNKS OVER BUMPS AND STEERING GRINDING NOISE IS BACK SINCE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACEMENT. AFTER STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT AT 26750, SEVERE VIBRATION WAS NOTICED; TOOK FOUR ATTEMTS (3 DEALERS) TO MAKE ACCEPTABLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 26,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091086 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10163470 · 2006-07-26 (July 26, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY 1500 MILES, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE STEERING SECTOR SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE REPAIR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THEN HAD TO BE REDONE LATER.

Owner-reported narrative. 36,282 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163470 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10141678 · 2005-11-03 (November 3, 2005)

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. SHE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ANY DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE FOR THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141678 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009775 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)

DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE WIRING HARNESS THAT RUNS ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. *TT *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009775 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11620849 · 2024-10-20 (October 20, 2024)

The Frame has rust under door panel broke Car Frame body near battery cave in hole and rusting hole in trunk near spare tire.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11620849 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10611426 · 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

MY 2002 AURORA V6, RPM STARTED ACTING HAYWIRE IT SHOT UP TO 8 GRAND AT 30 MPH. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE ACTING NORMAL. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS LATTER THEN ALL OF MY DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP. I HAD THE TRANS VACUUM SENSOR CHANGED ALONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS DID THE TRICK FOR 24 HOURS. NOT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG OR HOW TO FIX IT. CAN SOMEONE HELP WITH THIS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10611426 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10074447 · 2004-05-28 (May 28, 2004)

BEGINNING IN MAY 2003 WE HAVE HAD OUR 2002 OLDSMOBILE AURORA STALL EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES. IT ALWAYS STALL AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. IT STALLED MOST OFTEN WHILE LEAVING EXIT RAMPS AND MAKING LEFT TURNS ONTO SURFACE STREETS. ONCE IT STALLED AT A TOLL BOOTH. THE LOCAL DEALER CHANGED PARTS IN MAY 2003 AND FEBRUARY 2004. AFTER THE LAST TWO INCIDENTS IN MAY 2004, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE, BUT ARE STILL TRYING. WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT WITH THE CAR STALLING AS WE CROSS BUSY HIGHWAYS, WE COULD HAVE BEEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 37,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074447 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10327969 · 2010-04-28 (April 28, 2010)

MY 2002 AURORA 4.0L SUDDENLY LOCKED IN THE LEFT TURN STEERING MODE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WAS MAKING A TURN ON THE AISLE. AFTER THE TURN I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND AVOIDED HITTING THE ONCOMING CAR (THE OTHER DRIVER DID THE SAME). I WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO A PARKING SPOT AND CONFIRMED THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS TURNING THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE PUMP RESERVOIR WAS FULL. BY WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH THE STEERING RESUMED TO THE RIGHT,…

Owner-reported narrative. 54,783 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327969 at NHTSA ↗