AI Damage2003 Oldsmobile Aurora: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 14% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- Air bags: 2 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
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 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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 driving at 55 mph consumer applied the brakes and brake pedal went to the floor. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, and it crashed into a towed hitched trailer. Upon impact, both driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. No injuries reported.
Dash board lite says "ai r bag problem" every time you start the engine
I have a fuel line on my car that is cracked and I have my check engine light on. I have searched for the fuel line online and at o'reilly but that part doesn't exist anywhere. I have called oldsmobile and the phone recording says that my car had 3 open recalls.
The contact stated the vehicle would intermittently surge forward while driving at various speeds until the brakes were applied. The failure also occurred when the cruise control was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the throttle body control was replaced. The failure continued.
Tl contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile aurora. The contact stated that the engine was misfiring and he smelled a burning odor coming from the vehicle. When he starts the vehicle, the engine makes a loud noise. The dealer stated that the ignition coil failed and needed to be replaced.
When I turn on the air condition the car will cut off, this problem was suppose to have been fix. 2. Car is cutting off in traffic for no reason. 3. Window whipers comes on when it wants to and they will not cut off with the switch I have to cut the car off and start it again in order for the whipers to stop.
Vinyl covering on the instrument panel cracked around the air bag compartment on the passenger's side. Consumer was concerned that this condition may cause a risk of inadvertent air bay deployment, which could lead to unexpected injuries. Dealer was notified.
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 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aurora has 72 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, equipment. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (14%), A/C or heater (14%), unintended acceleration (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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.