1995 Oldsmobile Aurora review from North America
"The worst car I've ever owned"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The Transmission slammed (like a sledge hammer when shifting into reverse and shifted hard otherwise - finally had to replace it (after failed attempts by the dealer to fix it) and the total cost from beginning of the problem to finally fixing it was a little over $7,000.
It back-fired and broke the starter $800.
The windshield washer sends out rust.
The Radio CD clicks all the time even when there is no CD (and turns off the radio for 20 seconds while it displays "ERROR") but the cost to replace it is over $600 with labor.
The fuel line had a small leak. We where quoted $1200 to replace it (I couldn't do that I had another mechanic replace the broken line with a $1.60 fuel hose and clamps).
The fuel pump is still not providing enough fuel and needs to be replaced ($1200 quote)
Right rear window motor needed to be replaced.
Fuel Tank door solenoid needed to be replaced.
The "Service Engine Soon" light turns on all the time.
The "Security" light turns on all the time.
Shift lever switch broke so it wouldn't start (because it thought it was in Reverse)
The injector failed twice and the computer puts the car in "limp mode" so that it will not go out of 1st gear. This has happened twice (the mechanic couldn't find which injector to fix the first time).
General comments?
My wife and loved the look feel and performance of the Aurora. But it has been a sucker punch. It could have been a real great car (I think). But it is by far the worst car I have ever owned (I've owned 22 cars). We've paid so much more than it's worth that it's embarrassing. We can only sell it to a dealer because we just can't sell it to an individual with a clear conscience. We have a new mechanic now that new nothing of our history with the car. And asked him to do the brakes. Without asking him for his opinion he advised us to drive the Aurora to a dealer right from his Garage. He said it is so hard to work on that he would have to pull the engine to do so many things that the car is known for needed soon. He said the timing belts are going to need to be changed and that I was looking at $3000 to do it. He said he prefers that we bring it to another mechanic because this car has spoiled his relationship with customers because they blame him for the return frequency.
Recommended reviews
| An unreliable nightmare and a danger to own |
| Seductive luxury sports sedan that needs constant attention and care |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | NorthStar Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 0 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 90000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 107000 miles |
| Previous car | GMC Oldsmobile |
| Date of Entry | 14th April, 2004 |