Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora. The contact observed a fuel odor within the engine. There were no warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the exterior brake lights and headlights illuminated independently without the engine being started. The contact had to remove the battery from the vehicle in order for the lights to remain off. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer, but was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel injectors, fuel pump, and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the remedy failed to repair the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact inquired if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V110000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, there were no open recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, black smoke emanated from under the hood of the vehicle. Within 8 seconds of the contact exiting the vehicle, flames were observed coming from under the front wheel wells, and from under the hood. The hood melted, the engine was burned completely, the front axle melted to the point of preventing any movement of the front wheels, and the entire dash was melted. The vehicle was considered a total loss. Police and fire reports were taken. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was a fuel leak. There was a NHTSA recall #04V110000 which pertains to the pipings and fittings to the fuel system. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
The consumer smelled gas odor while in the garage while his wife was driving the vehicle the next day the vehicle suddenly exploded and smoke and flame poured from under the hood. The driver was able to exit the vehicle quickly without injuries. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was contacted and sent and inspector to examine the vehicle. The inspector stated that the cause of the problem could not be found therefore the manufacturer accepted no responsibility. A mechanic told the consumer that he fixed fuel rail leaks on several other Oldsmobile Aurora.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora. While parking the vehicle, the contact smelled gasoline through the vents in the passenger compartment. He turned off the vehicle and noticed smoke underneath the hood. The dealer stated that the fuel line was the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 150,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora. When the contact started the vehicle, it ignited into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire and cut the incorrect wires for the battery. The current and failure mileages were 120,000. Updated 05/27/09 updated 05/29/09.
My wife went to pick up a passenger (her granddaughter) and to go shopping. She smelled gas while driving, and another motorist flagged her down to warn her that she was leaking gas. She stopped in a parking lot, left the vehicle, and called me. When I arrived, there was a large puddle of gasoline under the front of the vehicle (3' across). Upon inspection of the engine, the entire engine and firewall were covered with gas. Turning the ignition key, gas sprayed heavily from the plastic fuel line between 2 of the injections. The vehicle was towed to a service center, and remarks made by the mechanic (that the replacement for the plastic lines was steel) made me suspicious about a recall. My internet search lead me to your website, and seemed to point to GM recall no. 04014; but in subsequent contact with Oldsmobile, I was told that there were no recalls for my vine [redacted]. …
On March 4, 2004, a recall was issued for my car - components fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. NHTSA campaign id number: 04V110000. NHTSA action number: ea04003. I went to the dealer in 2004 and they replaced my fuel rail. They did not replace the fuel return line. The recall states "additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that May crack. Cracking of the fuel rail or return line tubing can result in a fuel leak into the engine compartment. Consequence: fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire." my car is a 1997. The return line has, so far, cracked four times and each time I was fortunate to not have the car catch on fire while I drove to my mechanic who was able to splice it. It is now too short to splice anymore and I have no doubt it will crack again. …
I have a 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora (VIN [redacted] with a recalled fuel rail. The fuel rail spring a pinhole leak, which was spraying atomized gasoline on the engine block. There is a recall on this fuel rail, but when I called the Oldsmobile recall hotline, they told me that the repair had already been performed. Since the fuel rail was still the old style nylon one and not the stainless steel one specified in the recall, I called the dealership where the service was performed (aw golden in reading, pa) to inquire as to why the nylon fuel rail was still in place. They informed me that the former owner had never come back to get the recall done. I was never informed of this problem until I had fuel leaking onto my engine block and due to Oldsmobile's system, which has the recall marked as complete, I cannot get the recall service done. …
While driving vehicle noticed strong gasoline odor. With engine running a fine mist of gasoline was shooting across engine compartment from a pinhole in a plastic fuel delivery line (high pressure?) near the fitting connecting it to the metal fuel rail line. (fuel rail was replaced 6/05 under recall #04014) neither the leak nor the pinhole is visible when engine is not running. Extreme fire hazard! Vehicle currently at GM dealership for replacement of fuel lines (lines marked non-repairable) (repair estimate approx $500). Web search revealed numerous similar complaints. Contacted olds customer service and was told that there was nothing they could do due to the age of the vehicle. Appears to be a high-hazard situation that could easily result in property damage, injury and/or death.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora. The contact noticed a huge puddle of gasoline coming from the vehicle. She called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 04V110000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) and scheduled an appointment. The technician at the dealer inspected her vehicle and replaced the engine fuel rail. Immediately after the repair, the contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline. The dealer stated that, according to the remedy, they were not required to install a revised chassis fuel return line and the contact would have to pay $400 for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired again. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure and current mileages were 200,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Some passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines have a condition in which the nylon tubing used in the fuel rail construction May degrade and crack. Additionally, the 1995 model year uses a unique underhood fuel return line that May crack.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine fuel rail with a new stainless steel fuel rail. Dealers will also install a revised chassis fuel return line.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel rail leakage
The fuel rail assemblies used in the subject vehicles were manufactured by dana.the fuel rail jumper tubes were made of monolayer nylon 12 (pa12).in model year (my) 1998, the jumper tube material was changed from pa12 to m-bond (a multi-layer ptfe/pa12).in addition, all service parts produced since the end of production 1997 use the m-bond jumper tubes.
Fuel rail leaks
On March 3, 2004, general motors notified odi that it was recalling approximately 94,000 my 1995-97 Oldsmobile aurora vehicles equipped with 4.0l v8 engines (rpo l47 - vin8 c) to address concerns with underhood fuel leakage from cracked fuel rails and, in some of the vehicles, cracked fuel return lines.
Fuel System complaints in other Aurora years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora, 41% of the model year's 125 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-110 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Aurora fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 113,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 11 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.