The Weekly Driver
Reliability
Oldsmobile

Aurora (2001)

2001 · Full-Size Sedan · 3 engines
Reliability score 7.8/10
119 NHTSA Complaints
1 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
8 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Oldsmobile Aurora → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

7.8 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 36 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 49.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall36 complaints against about 49 for similar vehicles
7.8
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LX5

3.5L 6-cyl
62 complaints 62.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
15
electrical
13
other
11
exterior
8
brakes
8

L47

4.0L 8-cyl
35 complaints 35.0 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
15
steering
10
cooling
7
electrical
5
other
5

Oldsmobile Aurora Unidentified Engine

20 complaints 20.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
4
engine
4
cooling
3
exterior
3
wheels tires
2
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LV6

1.8L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Cobalt (2005-2010)GMC Sierra 1500 (2000-2006)BUICK Century (2000-2005)CHEVROLET Impala (2000-2005)CHEVROLET Malibu (2008-2012)CHEVROLET Cruze (2011-2019)

LY7

3.6L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Cobalt (2005-2010)CHEVROLET Malibu (2000-2003)CHEVROLET Colorado (2004-2012)CHEVROLET Impala (2006-2016)CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2002-2009)CADILLAC DeVille (2000-2005)
+17 more
GMC Sierra 1500 (2000-2006)GMC Acadia (2007-2016)CADILLAC SRX (2010-2016)CADILLAC STS (2005-2011)CADILLAC CTS (2003-2007)CADILLAC CTS (2008-2013)BUICK Enclave (2008-2017)BUICK LaCrosse (2005-2009)CHEVROLET Impala (2000-2005)BUICK LaCrosse (2010-2019)CHEVROLET Malibu (2008-2012)CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 (2000-2006)BUICK Rendezvous (2002-2007)CHEVROLET Equinox (2005-2009)CHEVROLET Tahoe (2000-2006)CADILLAC SRX (2004-2009)GMC Yukon (2000-2006)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Oldsmobile Aurora, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 29 owner complaints
Engine: 26 owner complaints
Electrical System: 20 owner complaints
Brakes: 17 owner complaints
Cooling System: 16 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora

On a used 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (29), the engine (26) and the electrical system (20). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora about the steering.
  2. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora about the engine, all engines combined.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora about the electrical system.
  4. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora about the brakes.
  5. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora

Recalls (1)

00V114000Apr 17, 2000cosmetic
Service Brakes

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

All Generations

2001200120022002

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus
LS
2001-2006
9.7/10
5 engines / 194 complaints
Cadillac
XTS
2013-2019
9.6/10
3 engines / 215 complaints
Toyota
Avalon
2013-2018
9.6/10
4 engines / 388 complaints
Chevrolet
Impala
2019
9.5/10
3 engines / 28 complaints
Lincoln
Continental
2017-2020
9.4/10
4 engines / 134 complaints
Lincoln
Town Car
2000-2011
9.3/10
6 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora complaints?

Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora. The systems they name most often are the steering, the engine and the electrical system.

Is the 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora have?

NHTSA has 119 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora?

NHTSA lists 1 recall covering some 2001-2001 Oldsmobile Aurora vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Oldsmobile Aurora?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Aurora have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 119 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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