Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. …
The shift solenoids on all the 1995 Aurora and above go bad while driving. Im my case I was going 70 MPH on the interstate when suddenly the car shifted in second gear and was stuck in second gear. I was almost rear ended by another vehicle in addition to the terror I went thru when this happened. There was also no where to pull over as it happened on the bridge. I almost lost control of my vehicle and wrecked.those are 2 shift selenoids that are located inside the transmission, that the dealer had to remove the pan to get to it. Usually one goes bad but they replace both since they already have the pan open. It takes about less than a half an hour to replace. The parts are supposedly made out of plastic and Oldsmobile is very aware of this and they know how dangerous it is. They get thousands of auroras in their shop for that problem. …
When shifting from park to reverse, the transmission engaged roughly causing damage to engine mounts and well as internal transmission damage. Car now shifts abruptly under normal conditions while not shifting on some occasions. Car taken to dealer and they informed me of pressure control switch failure requiring complete overhaul or raplacement of transmission as well as motor mount replacement. Aside from this most recent problem, the radiator, air compressor, air conditioning hoses and blower fan control module, alternator, ignition coil pack and lower crankcase gasket have all failed within the past seven months. Car currently has about 115,000 miles on it and probably won't live to accumulate many more. Total piece of crap from GM. (oh that sick GM feeling!).
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.
Recall 04V110000 concerning fuel rail tubing: while standing outside of the vehicle, the consumer smelled a strong odor of gasoline. The consumer attempted to change the fuel filter and found that the fuel rail was punctured. Fuel was squirting out onto the engine. The check engine light had come on due to the shift solenoid and the screen was bad in the transmission. The fuel gauge was inaccurate and was diagnosed as a bad sending unit which was also replaced.
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.
I was driving home on the highway doing about 50-55 and the transmission just went into 2nd gear so I had to drive 20 miles at about 35 MPH. Luckily there was no one around so there was no accident. At this point in time I haven't done anything to fix it except to have the codes read by a GM dealer and they didn't know what was wrong. I have found out that the shift solenoids are bad due to a failure in the plastic bracket that holds them in place.
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.
Transmission was 'stuck' in 2nd gear due to the plastic components in the shift solenoids breaking. Cost $700.00 in repair bills and GM has a service bulletin out advising their locations of this problem and state that the replacement GM parts are now metal.
ABS/tc did not allow me to stop in time and I hit the vehicle in front of me. Now the traction off light illuminates constantly (> 40 MPH it enables the fault) and the insurance company will not pay to have the bpmv replaced.
Transmission complaints in other Aurora years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora, 10% of the model year's 321 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.