Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Sometimes when driving the car will attempt to accelerate on its own. If the car is placed in neutral the engine revs and when the car is put back into gear the car launches itself as though the throttle was pushed. This has happened on several occasions and there is no pattern to it. The brakes will stop the car but the stopping distance is much longer then without the engine racing. The steering column makes a clunking sound even after having the steering shaft replaced. This is very noticeable at low speeds or when it is damp out. At times the anti-lock brakes don't feel like they work. The car has new brakes but it didn't make a difference.
Coolant leak has been serviced about six to seven times. My Aurora is currently in the round rock, texas classic GM dealership for another try. Also, the car is being outfitted with a device which will take a picture of the engine /electronic systems to determine why the engine quits while driving. This has occurred about 5 times and I was almost involved in an accident entering a freeway when I lost all power. I have been asked to press an installed button the next time the engine stalls. I often get a hard shift when going from reverse to drive. About 20% of the time. Told this problem could not be duplicated by dealer.
Present mileage 45,600 first reported attemt to fix 24,200 miles. District manager Oldsmobile says there is no known fix for the problem. He owned one that had the same problem. Iam very concerned that the distraction this hesitation causes will cause an accident. The district mgr. Will be a farnsworth next week. I feel Oldsmobile does not want to absorb the cost involved in such a repair and hope that I will trade the car. Iam at least 2 years from trading. What recourse do I have? It feels like a torque converter continuously engaging and disengaging, sometimes every fifteen seconds.
Consumer complained about fuel spilling on to the top of engine. He took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the problem pertained to the nylon fuel connectors. Mechanic determined that fuel connectors cracked because of the pressure on the nylon. Consumer was told by the dealer that there was a recall on this problem, but that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Also, transmission problems. When putting vehicle in reverse it slammed, causing the transmission to fail or skip. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the linkage needed to be replaced.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora. The contact stated that her vehicle does not shift properly. When the key is placed in the ignition, the vehicle does not crank. The contact must exit and re-enter the vehicle before it will start. In addition, she smelled gasoline while seated in the passenger compartment. She has not taken her vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to determine the cause of the failures. The VIN and mileages were unknown.
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. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Aurora years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (33) and 2001 (12) model years. Transmission complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Aurora transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Oldsmobile Aurora model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Aurora transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (37 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (4).
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.