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Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Oldsmobile AuroraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 126 owner complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora. Most complaints involve steering (29) and electrical system (20). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2000
Owner complaints
126
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INTERNAL FLUID LEAKS IN THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 17, 2000NHTSA 00V114000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

126 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2000 – May 2021
  1. Steering29
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Engine and engine cooling17
  4. Exterior lighting13
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  6. Power train12
  7. Visibility11
  8. Engine10
  9. Vehicle speed control10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Aurora model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996103
1997126
199857
199937
2001126
200227
200310
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

29 reports3 crashes
“THE ENGINE RANDOMLY DIES OR STALLS WHILE IN TRAFFIC AT RANDOM TIMES AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS AND THANKFULLY ONLY ON CITY STREETS. CODES HAVE NOT BEEN PRESENT BUT THE STALLING AND IDLE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS. IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES AN AUDIBLE CLICK NOISE WHEN TURNING PAST THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION ANYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL IS CRANKED, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN SOMETIMES, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THIS IS MOST LIKELY DO TO POOR LUBRICATION OF A BEARING OR JOINT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE CHIMES AS WELL BUT THE ESC WORKS AS IT SHOULD, NO MATTER THE DRIVING CONDITIONS IT COMES ON, MOST LIKELY A FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2019Steering, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11221621

Electrical system

20 reports1 crash2 fires
“I BOUGHT THIS 2001 AURORA USED IN 2015. THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ON AND WHEN I QUESTIONED PREVIOUS OWNER HE STATED IT WAS A SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND THERE WEREN'T ANY FAILURES, ALERTS OR FAULTY SENSORS DETECTED. JUNE OF 2016 MY DASH BOARD SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. I CAN'T SEE MY ODOMETER THE GAS HAND DOESN'T WORK AND IT HAS LOST ALL ILLUMINATION. I'VE HAD FUSES CHECKED, REPLACED ETC. IN OCTOBER 2016 MY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT STOPPED WORKING. REPLACED COMPRESSOR, TO NO AVAIL. THE HEATER ONLY BLOWS WARM AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. OCCASIONALLY I GET A LOW FUEL WARNING WHEN I'M JUST IDLING EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS. HAVE HAD A LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SINCE I'VE BOUGHT IT, AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES WITH BRAND NEW ONES, BEEN TO 5 TIRE SHOPS TO SEE IF THEY CAN RESET SENSOR. MOST MY PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE ELECTRICAL. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT OR WILL NOT GIVE ME INFORMATION. I LOVE MY CAR, AND WANT TO KEEP IT. HELP PLEASE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11060904

Engine and engine cooling

17 reports1 crash2 fires
“WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN WITH THIS 2001 OLDSMOBILE AURORA V8 SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. RIGHT NOW IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S ON FIRE. I SEE WHERE GM HAD A RECALL LAST YR BUT THE AURORA IS NOT INCLUDED, AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT , IT ALSO DIES WHEN DRIVING IT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2010Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed controlODI 10319383
All 2001 Aurora problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aurora
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
Aurora
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152318$4,300494
  • Aurora
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Aurora
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4192
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Aurora questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora problems?

Owners filed 126 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (29), electrical system (20), engine and engine cooling (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026