2002 Oldsmobile Aurora Reliability Score: 8.0 out of 10

25 NHTSA Complaints

2 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

1 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.0 / 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 7 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 11.

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

Breakdown

Complaints overall7 complaints against about 11 for similar vehicles

8.0

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

13 complaints 13.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension

steering

fuel system

electrical

body

Show 3 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.

Oldsmobile Aurora Unidentified Engine

8 complaints 8.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

exterior

wheels tires

engine

transmission

L47

4.0L 8-cyl

3 complaints 3.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

other

engine

cooling

LA1

3.4L 6-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Equinox (2010-2017)CHEVROLET Impala (2006-2016)CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 (2014-2018)GMC Acadia (2007-2016)CHEVROLET Monte Carlo (2000-2007)CHEVROLET Impala (2000-2005)

+4 more

CHEVROLET Malibu (2013-2016)BUICK Rendezvous (2002-2007)CHEVROLET Traverse (2009-2017)CHEVROLET Venture (2000-2005)

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.

Suspension: 6 owner complaints

Steering: 5 owner complaints

Electrical System: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (2)

03V238000Jul 1, 2003serious

Fuel System

ON CERTAIN CADILLAC DEVILLE AND SEVILLE PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUNERAL COACHES, AND LIMOUSINES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.6L) ENGINE, OLDSMOBILE AURORA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 (4.0L ) ENGINE, AND PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEI PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGED V6 (3.8L) ENGINE, THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS ARE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALFUNCTIONS. IF THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS, EXCESSIVE VACUUM CAN BE APPLIED DURING SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TESTING.

02V222000Aug 9, 2002cosmetic

Air Bags

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

All Generations

20012001 20022002

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus

2001-2006

9.7/10

5 engines / 194 complaints

3 engines / 215 complaints

4 engines / 388 complaints

3 engines / 28 complaints

4 engines / 134 complaints

6 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora complaints?

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the steering and the electrical system.

Is the 2002-2002 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 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 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 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora have?

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 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 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Aurora?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls covering some 2002-2002 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 suspension, the steering 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 2002 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. 25 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-10-12.