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 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 19% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 14% |
| Air bags | 3 | 8% |
| Steering | 3 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
| Wheels | 2 | 5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V081000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) COULD HA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ON 5/11/2012 MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA WAS PARKED AT MY HOUSE AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM AND APPARENTLY OVERNIGHT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS LIMITED TO THE BASE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND CENTER CO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE TRACTION CAUSING THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DEAR SIR: I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA THAT I PURCHASED NEW, WITH A DELIVERY DATE OF 09/22/1999. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY BY MY WIFE WITH APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE HAVE KEPT THE CAR UP AND NOW
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE AURORA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE CRACKING BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE FROM NYLON MATERIALS. OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IN ADDITI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY 1999 AURORA IN TO TIRE DEALER DUE TO VERY SLOW LEAK IN TIRE. THE TIRE DEALER SAID THE SLOW LEAK WAS COMMON IN GM VEHICLES WITH ALUMINUM RIMS. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO ALUMINUM OXIDE CORROSION
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE.
Risk: IF THESE NUTS ARE LOOSE, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY BE LOW, THE ASSEMBLY MAY BE LOOSE, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE, AND IF THE NUTS BACK COMPLETELY OFF, BRAKING MAY BE LOST. ALSO FUME AND WATER INTRUSION TO
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR, BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
Risk: A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION CAN PULL TO ONE SIDE DURING A BRAKING MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE INCREASED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CORRECT BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACE ANY INCORRECT ROTORS, CALIPER ASSEMBLIES, BRAKE PADS, AND CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKETS.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 7 of them (19%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) 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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 68/100. 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.