VehicleVerdict

2003 Oldsmobile Aurora problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Aurora years?

Aurora NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted406 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 406 complaints1996: 149 complaints1997: 157 complaints1998: 53 complaints1999: 38 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 180 complaints2002: 38 complaints2003: 9 complaints
Aurora NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aurora years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System222%
Airbags222%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)111%
Body & Structure111%
Fuel System111%
Speed Control111%
Brakes111%

Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V238000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 2003 · 102,212 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

Consequence

FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS CAN BE DAMAGED AND FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REFUELED. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

02V222000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 133,221 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“1. 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 15, 2006

“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. CONSUMER DROVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 3, 2004 · crash

“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. WHEN I TALK TO A PERSON THEY TOLD ME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 20, 2016

“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. CONSUMER DROVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 3, 2004 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 15, 2011

2003 Oldsmobile Aurora — common questions

Is the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Oldsmobile Aurora years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Aurora years to avoid are 1995, 2001, 1997, 1996. The cleanest record among Aurora years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.