Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On January 28, 2004 my 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora spontaneously caught fire in my driveway. I had just left the car after pulling the car to the top of the driveway and my wife was about to enter the car to go to work when she saw a flash, then smoke. The car subsequently became engulfed in flames. Fortunately we were not injured. Our insurance company is declaring the car a total loss. My second car.... A 1997 seville sts...along with the Aurora is mentioned in a report posted on msnbc on nov. 4th. We have been in contact with general motors and they are not willing to address my loss (deductibles), nor address the looming potential for the same to occur with the seville (I ve requested an inspection / repair of the fuel rail.) I find GM s position extremely disconcerting given the potential for injury, or loss of life. …
Tried to start vehicle, vehicle backfired. A few minutes later, I noticed that smoke was coming out from under the car, and the ice on the vehicle was melting. I opened the hood and discovered that the engine was on fire. I was able to extinguish the fire with a blanket.
Five days after the purchase radiator cracked, car overheated, took to dealership, while speaking with the service manager, I explained the ABS/traction control light came on and stays on as of 3rd day after purchase and that the engine was surging and back fire type noise from under the hood during acceleration and the car had no power. The front right fog light was not working the day of purchase and to replace it, I was charged for the replacement bulb. There was no buyers guide on this vehicle on the day I test drove the car nor on the day of purchase, I purchased a one year extended warranty through the dealership in the amount of $1295.00, and was told it covered everything. Service manager was contacted on the day I picked the car up after the radiator repair, and was told the other issues were not corrected at this time due to the warranty not having time to process. …
Engine light comes on...RPM's randomly go up and down causing vehicle to surge and/or stall. This is extremely dangerous. Also, when shifting from park to reverse, the transmission engaged roughly and now will car will not shift into 3rd gear to acceletrate beyond 40 m.p.h. Took car in for service twice while under warranty complaining about jerk in transmission, the transmission was replaced the first, now 37,000 miles later out of warranty and complete failure . Company advertisers car will not need tuneup until 100,000 miles, I have had the car for only 60K miles and have had to have it tuned up twice at $600+ a pop. At that point car was stalling not delivering the power that it usually does.
I am having continuous problems with losing power between 1500 and 3000 rpms at any speed. The car will sputter and jerk then once out of the range of 3000 RPM the car seems to regain the power that it didn't have earlier. The electric system has never shut down completely and the check engine light has only come on three times then gone off again not to return until months later. I have not had an accident related to this problem yet. But I am afraid that one time I will be trying to get across an intersection and I will lose power and get hit.
1995 Oldsmobile Aurora experiencing problems with steering wheel...consumer took vehicle to premier automotive services , and they recommended the replacement of steering rack ans pinion and steering pressure hose due to leaking steering fluid/epairment of transmission torque converter clutch/ replacement of valve cover gaskets and engine mounts/ repaired coolant leak. Consumer purchased a wynns USA extended warranty, which did not not cover all repair work needed.
Dealer replaced the fuel rail at 50,000 miles/62,000 mile's and again at 66,000 miles, but problem was still occurring. (bladder leak, gas leak, fluid leak, fluid coolant leak) there was a strong gas smell, transmission problem, the engine hesitation as if it were going to backfire, overheating, banging noise when the gears were shifted which was an intermittent failure per PCM. The reg/filter and throttle sealing was replaced.
My check engine light came on when I was on the free way when all of sudden as I slowed down my car lost power and control. I skid across the freeway and almost got killed. It started back up ten min later and took it to shop they said code was input speed sensor and EGR valve. Cost 2000$ for repair plus labor.
While driving at any speed the vehicle would back fire and misfire. The vehicle has been to the dealer twice for this problem. On one occasion the dealer replaced the fuel pump and fuel regulator, but the vehicle still didn't run properly. The manufacturer is aware of the problem.
My car was missing and hesitating, I took the car in to the dealership and was told it was the leaking of the head gaskets, cost was to be around 3500.00. After dealership removed head gaskets (this was 8 hours of labor and 1200.00 so far for labor) they found a hole in the engine due to corrosive defect. The cost of a new engine (a northstar) would be 8000.00 plus labor. This norhtstar engine should have lasted longer than 82,000. They are advertised to go 100,000 miles without tuneups. I knew that was far fetched...I had my car maintenanced proplerly for all of the mile checkups reported by the manufacturer. I have been in contact with oldsmoblile customer service and received a number c00118601. I am very upset with this and just want it reported properly.
Engine complaints in other Aurora years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora, 13% of the model year's 321 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.