Skip to content
Oldsmobile AuroraModel year report

2002 Oldsmobile Aurora Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora. The part named most often is suspension, with 6 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and steering (5). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 300 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 64 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (1), Engine cooling (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “Broken/snapped sway bar link, left side front. Car swerved to the left, no accident upon snap. Upon investigation/replacement the bolt was rusted through at mid point and snapped. I saved the broken part, if it is needed.”

NHTSA complaint #10334173, filed 2010-06, 361,000 miles

Electrical system: “My 2002 Aurora v6, RPM started acting haywire it shot up to 8 grand at 30 MPH. The engine and transmission were acting normal. It happened again 2 days latter then all of my dash lights and headlights went out. I took it in to the shop. I had the trans vacuum sensor changed along with the headlights. This did the trick for 24 hours. Not I have the same problem and the dealer can not figure out what is wrong or how to fix it. Can someone help with this.”

NHTSA complaint #10611426, filed 2014-07, 120,000 miles

Steering: “My 2002 Aurora 4.0l suddenly locked in the left turn steering mode. I was in a parking lot and was making a turn on the aisle. After the turn I tried to straighten the wheels and the steering wheel was locked. The engine was running. I applied the brakes and avoided hitting the oncoming car (the other driver did the same). I was able to move into a parking spot and confirmed the power steering belt was turning the power steering pump and the pump reservoir was full. By working the steering wheel back and forth the steering resumed to the right, but not to the left. This is scary. …”

NHTSA complaint #10327969, filed 2010-04, 54,783 miles

Fuel system: “I have a 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora with a v6 engine that has the same system as the v8. The fuel tank pressure sensors are unusually susceptible to malfunctions.”

NHTSA complaint #10180926, filed 2007-01, 50,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,282 and 72,000 miles.

0%0–1013%10–2533%25–5033%50–750%75–10013%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’02’044’06’08’10’14’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Aurora · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Aurora FWD3.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162519$3,550
Aurora FWD4.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 300 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 300 bulletins →

Other model years of the Oldsmobile Aurora

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2003791,0002—18—Not enough data
20022550,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200111969,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19993391,5002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19984992,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1997125102,5001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1996100116,5302—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995321100,1002—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Oldsmobile Aurora model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 6 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora (Aurora, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,282 and 72,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.