Most common 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora problems
Share of the 49 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Oldsmobile Aurora complaints by model year
Best Aurora years: 2003, 2002, 1999. Years to avoid: 1995, 1997, 2001, 1996. Compare all years →
What 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora owners say
Engine & cooling
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 able to restart the engine and resume in operation. In addition, the engine would overheat with a significant amount of coolant leakage. The failure occurred twenty times. An independent mechanic replaced the engine head gasket two different times. The failure recurred three months after the second repair. The vehicle was inoperable and had not been repaired for the most recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Tl 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 shifted gears to park and then drive. There were no warning lights present. Three mechanics performed test to diagnose the failure; however, they were unsuccessful and correcting the failure. The dealer stated that they had no complaints related to the failure. The current mileage was 105,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 104,800. Updated 04-02-08
Brakes
Brakes continue to vibrate and rotors wear prematurely. Replaced pads, turned rotor three times in 75000 miles, problem of vibration and shaking reappeared after 15000 miles each time brakes were replaced.
The front-passenger side brake pads are wearing unevenly. The outside brake pad has worn down to the squealer while the inside brake pad shows little wear. I have contacted the Oldsmobile representative concerning this problem and he has opened a case report. The first time this happen at 16000-17000 miles it was covered under warranty. The solution at that time was to rebuild the caliper, replace the pads and turn the rotors. While talking to the dealer service representative, I have learned this is currently an ongoing problem that is affecting other models as well, which has GM engineers searching for answers.
Electrical system
1. The lights came on by themselves and started flickering. 2.this drained the battery. 3. The mechanic had to replace the multi function stalk switch and a module under the dash. This seems to be a common problem with the Aurora's, and I feel that Oldsmobile needs to recall these cars or at least reimburse all of the owners who have experienced this problem. A simple internet search on ggogle.com found many people with the same problem, so it's obviously a design problem.
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 there in memory of the car but the codes do not say what to do about the problem. Know one knows what to do other than guessing and changing expensive parts.
1998 Oldsmobile Aurora engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora a good car?
Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Aurora rates better than average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Aurora at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora?
The engine & cooling — 10 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the brakes (9) and electrical system (7).
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Oldsmobile Aurora?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 2002 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1997, 2001 and 1996. See the full Oldsmobile Aurora years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 92,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.