AI Damage1998 Oldsmobile Aurora: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 49
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 10 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 9 complaints (18% of all).
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (12% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 49 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
While driving down the hghway at 65mph right front wheel came off. Consumer narrowly avoided an accident, getting vehicle off the road.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
Faulty fuel gauge, check engine light, unable to get emissions inspection. Dealer wishes to charge $500.00 to replace sensor in gas tank.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,395 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aurora has 72 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 49, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 49. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (10%), warning lights, check engine (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.