1997 Oldsmobile Aurora

Defect. SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L V8 ENGINES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NYLON TUBING USED IN THE FUEL RAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY DEGRADE AND CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL WITH A NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL RAIL. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2004, FOR 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA VEHICLES. OWNERS OF 1995 CADILLACS AND 1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WERE SENT LETTERS ON AUGUST 6, 2004. ADDITIONAL LETTERS TO OWNERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE ENGINE BEING STARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 197,000.

USED THE REMOTE START FEATURE DURING 24 DEG WEATHER AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FIXED WINDOW SHATTERED. POSSIBLE CAUSE WOULD BE A SHORT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST UNIT, WHICH COMES ON WHEN USING REMOTE START IN COLD WEATHER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IN ADDITION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE A MIST WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

ON MARCH 4, 2004, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY CAR - COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V110000. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA04003. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN 2004 AND THEY REPLACED MY FUEL RAIL. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN LINE. THE RECALL STATES "ADDITIONALLY, THE 1995 MODEL YEAR USES A UNIQUE UNDERHOOD FUEL RETURN LINE THAT MAY CRACK. CRACKING OF THE FUEL RAIL OR RETURN LINE TUBING CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSEQUENCE: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE." MY CAR IS A 1997. THE RETURN LINE HAS, SO FAR, CRACKED FOUR TIMES AND EACH TIME I WAS FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE THE CAR CATCH ON FIRE WHILE I DROVE TO MY MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO SPLICE IT. IT IS NOW TOO SHORT TO SPLICE ANYMORE AND I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL CRACK AGAIN. TODAY I WENT TO A LOCAL DEALER AND HE SAID REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THE LINE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. IT IS THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE 1995 AURORA WAS RECALLED. I AM RETIRED AND LIVING SOLELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED (THE DEALER SAID MINIMUM $500 AND COULD GO BEYOND $1,000). I SEE NO REASON WHY THIS SHOULD NOT BE COVERED. IT IS A FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER USING SUBSTANDARD "RUBBER" OR WHATEVER IS CRACKING WHICH CAN NOT HANDLE THE EXTREMELY HIGH PRESSURE OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IN THAT LINE. *TR

BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES ARE SO EXTREMELY CORRODED IT ACTUALLY RUSTED THROUGH THE METAL BRAKE LINES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES AND IS LEAKING IN LARGE AMOUNTS AT THE SEVERE CORRODED SPOTS OF THE LINES. ALSO THE FRONT BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO EXTREMELY CORRODED THEY JUST HAVE YET TO CORRODE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE METAL LINE AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID YET BUT CAN GUARANTEE THEY WILL IN LESS THAN 20K MILES EASILY! AND THE MASTER CYLINDER IS NOT DIVIDED INTO 2 DIVIDED AND SEPARATE RESERVOIRS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR DISTRIBUTION BRAKING HYDRAULIC POWER IN CASE THE REAR BRAKE PRESSURE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH FOR THE REAR CALIPERS TO WORK OR IF THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED TO THE FRONT AND ITS BECAUSE FLUID STARTED LEAKING: THAT WAY THERE IS STILL FLUID LEFT IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR FOR EITHER THE FRONT BRAKES OR REAR BRAKES, WHICHEVER LINE(S) AREN'T LEAKING AND SO THE REMAINING BRAKING AXLE STILL HAS REMAINING EXCESS BRAKE FLUID TO STOP. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 1997 OLDS AURORA. IT HAS NO POWER AT ALL. BEFORE NOW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR TAKING A LONG TIME TO START. I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH CLEAN KEY, WAIT 3 MINUTES. A PROBLEM WHERE IT SEEMS AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED OVERNIGHT BECAUSE THE INFORMATION CENTER WAS RESET AS IF THE POWER WAS LOST WHILE SITTING. I ALSO HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT EVEN THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT ON THIS CAR AFTER CHECKING IT OVER FOR DAYS, THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS REGISTERING HOTTER THAN THE MACHINE THAT THEY USED TO CHECK THE TEMPERATURE WITH. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR FAR AT ALL BECAUSE IT OVERHEATS BEFORE EVEN GOING TWO MILES. NOW I HAVE NO TYPE OF POWER, NO INSIDE LIGHTS, NO HORN, THE REMOTE WON'T WORK. NO LIFE AT ALL. ALL THE FUSES ARE GOOD. CAN'T EVEN GET ANY POWER BY CONNECTING IT TO A CHARGER OR JUMP STARTING THE CAR. NOTHING AT ALL WORKS. THE CAR IS LIFELESS!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS CAR AND I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2004. *TT

MY 1997 OLDS AURORA STARTED LEAKING GAS FROM THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE UNDER THE HOOD.I HAD REMEMBERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND CALLED OLDSMOBILE AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL #04014. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD BE SINCE THEY FIGURED THIS OUT IN 2004 AND MY CAR WAS MADE IN 1997... THE DATE ON THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES IS 5/10/1996. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT WAS TURNING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD POP. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED A BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE STEERING RACK TO THE FRAME. THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING WAS ALSO FRACTURED AND THERE WERE SEVERAL RUSTED BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

I HAVE A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA (VIN [XXX] WITH A RECALLED FUEL RAIL. THE FUEL RAIL SPRING A PINHOLE LEAK, WHICH WAS SPRAYING ATOMIZED GASOLINE ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS FUEL RAIL, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE OLDSMOBILE RECALL HOTLINE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. SINCE THE FUEL RAIL WAS STILL THE OLD STYLE NYLON ONE AND NOT THE STAINLESS STEEL ONE SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED (AW GOLDEN IN READING, PA) TO INQUIRE AS TO WHY THE NYLON FUEL RAIL WAS STILL IN PLACE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FORMER OWNER HAD NEVER COME BACK TO GET THE RECALL DONE. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I HAD FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY ENGINE BLOCK AND DUE TO OLDSMOBILE'S SYSTEM, WHICH HAS THE RECALL MARKED AS COMPLETE, I CANNOT GET THE RECALL SERVICE DONE. WHAT GOOD ARE SAFETY RECALLS IF THE MANUFACTURER CAN MARK THE RECALL COMPLETE WITHOUT PERFORMING THE WORK? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. OVER THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE NOTICED SOME "PLAY" IN THE TILT STEERING COLUMN. MY RESEARCH HAS REVEALED AN INHERENT PROBLEM THAT THESE MODEL OF CARS HAVE HAD WITH THE PIVOTS IN THE STEERING-TILT MECHANISM BACKING THEMSELVES OUT. ONE DAY I CLIMBED INTO THE CAR TO BACK DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THE WHOLE STEERING ASSEMBLY JUST PLOPPED INTO MY LAP. I SUSPECTED THE PIVOTS WERE TO BLAME, SO I BEGAN REMOVAL OF THE JUNK AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN, ENOUGH TO GET A VIEW OF THE PIVOTS, AND TO MY DISMAY, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PIVOT ON ONE SIDE HAD WORKED LOOSE, BUT THE CAST METAL THAT SURROUNDS THE PIVOT ON THE OTHER SIDE HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY. I CAN THINK OF NO OTHER REMEDY THAN TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE COLUMN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND CUT THE INCORRECT WIRES FOR THE BATTERY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 05/29/09.*JB

I OWN A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA, ON 4/25/2009 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I PULLED OVER AND LUCKILY MY MOTHER WAS FOLLOWING AND SHE HAD EXTINGUISHER IN HER VEHICLE. I TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY REAR MAIN SEAL LEAKING OIL DIRECTLY ONTO EXHAUST PIPE AND THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THAT AND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT IN THAT SEAL THAT'S WHY THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT. IT TURNS OUT AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS THE MANUFACTURE ALLOWED TO PUT A DEFECT PART IN THE VEHICLE THAT PUTS CONSUMERS AT RISK AND NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX IT. I HAD MY 2 YR OLD SON AND MY 4 MO OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. GM WAS REQUIRED TO FIX THE FUEL RAIL SYSTEM DUE TO FIRE SAFETY, I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM DESERVES THE SAME ATTENTION, SINCE OIL AND HEAT DO NOT MIX AS WELL IT'S JUST AS DANGEROUS, I WILL BE CONTACTING MY ATTORNEY GENERAL. PLEASE NOTE: GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL IS FAULTY AND WILL FAIL, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER INSPECTED HER VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT, ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY, THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO INSTALL A REVISED CHASSIS FUEL RETURN LINE AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GAS SMELL. HE THEN NOTICED THAT FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER THE FUEL COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE PIPE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT A LATER DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,010 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,050.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE THROUGH THE VENTS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V110000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE DEALER REPLACED SOME OF THE HOSES, BUT THERE ARE THREE HOSES THAT ARE LEAKING FUEL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 146,037.

WHILE PARKED, ON A HOT DAY, MY PARKING LIGHTS CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT & RECONNECT THE BATTERY TO SAVE IT FROM DISCHARGE EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. IM AFRAID IT MAY CATCH FIRE (FROM OTHER REPORTS I'VE HEARD.) *TR

HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS, A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED 3 YEARS AGO DURING WARRANTY, THEN THERE WAS SHORT CIRCUIT IN STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS REPLACE, SOON AFTER FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WENT HAYWIRE THIS REQUIRED CHANGING THE SENSOR, FUEL PUMP AS WELL AS FUEL TANK ( PROBABLY THE DEALER CHEATED BY DOING ALL THIS WORK, FILED COMPLAINT TO BOTH GM AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE),OXYGEN SENSOR WENT BAD, ONE DAY ALL TURN SIGNALS STATED FLASHING WHILE JUST PARKED, REPLACED SENSORS AND WIRING, THEN AGAIN TURN SIGNAL SENSOR WENT BAD, SOON AFTER STARTING IGNITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE STARTING WAS HARD, THEN CAME THE ELECTRONIC KEY FAILING THAT NEEDED BOTH THE KEY & LOCK REPLACEMENT,NOW STILL AT TIMES THE KEY REFUSES TO START THE CAR, STARTED TO SEE RADIATOR LEAK THAT IS QUITE MYSTERIOUS I.E, AFTER A FEW WEEKS LEVEL GOES DOWN BUT CAN NOT FIND THE SOURCE, REAR WINDOW CONTROL FAILED , DASH BOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT THAT NEEDED REMOVING THE ENTIRE PANEL & REPLACING BULBS, NOW THE BIG PROBLEM OF LOW SPEED STALL ON THE ROAD I.E. IT STALLS IN SLOW TRAFFIC OR WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT OR TAKING SLOW TURN, FILING A FULL REPORT WITH GM AGAIN FOR RECALLING ALL AURORA'S FROM ROAD ELSE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS & EVEN DEATHS, CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF PRODUCING A BAD QUALITY HIGH END LUXURY CAR. MY OTHER 10-15 YRS OLD CARS ARE RUNNING FAR BETTER THAN THIS LEMON CAR. *TR

APRIL 2007: FUEL RAIL AND LINE DEGRADED AND CRACKED SPILLING GAS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. REPAIR MADE AT NON-DEALER AUTO REPAIR CLOSE TO HOUSE @ 350.00. QUIRK CHEVY, BRAINTREE SAID THEY INSPECTED IN 2005 AND SAID THAT WAS ALL THEY HAD TO DO. CAR WAS NEVER INSPECTED...LAST VISIT TO QUIRK IN BRAINTREE WAS IN 2003. ULTIMATELY, GM AGREED TO PAY CLAIM IN JUNE OF 2007. HAVE NOT RECEIVED PAYMENT. WHEN GM IS CONTACT, THEY SAY THEY'LL SEND THE CHECK NEXT WEEK... THEY HAVE SAID THAT EVERY WEEK SINCE AUGUST. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE OF THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. *TR