Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 16% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 7% |
| Steering | 4 | 7% |
| Power train | 3 | 5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
VEHICLE RUNNING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC ON A CITY STREET, KEY SWITCH JUST SUDDENLY TURNED BACK AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. NO BRAKING, AND NO STEERING. HAD TO TRY AND STEER OFF TO A SAFE PLACE. ONGOING ISSUE AS THE IGNITION SWITCH I
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. 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 ABL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 WHIC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I HAVE A 1998 AURORA AS WHEEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF CAR SHUTTING DOWN. FIRST I HAD THE MODULE REPLACED AND IT STILL DID IT. AND THEN I WAS TOLD TO GET MY FUEL INJECTORS CLEANED AND I KEPT INJECTOR CLEANER IN MY CAR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SHE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I OWN A 1998 AURORA. 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 DESTROYIN
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 9 of them (16%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.