Owners filed 462 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc › rotor. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
06358063,580 milesMedian miles at failure
169 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
35
0
0
0
Electrical System
28
2
0
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
23
2
0
1
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
20
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi
Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Structure › Body00V140000
Filed May 18, 2000487,400 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar98V320000
Filed Dec 15, 1998217 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2017117,000 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Air BagsCrashFire1 injured
Filed Dec 9, 201745 milesAR
WHEN I GOT ACCIDENT NOVEMBER 3 2004 AND AIRBAG NOT COME BLOW YET. I GOT INJURY HEAD AND BROKE LEG ON RIGHT.
Suspension
Filed Jan 19, 201785,000 milesWI
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING! THIS HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH! *TR
Air Bags
Filed Oct 25, 2016GA
TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
Electrical System
Filed Oct 12, 2016MI
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN. HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD OFTEN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHAT WAS MORE DISTURBING, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY POSITION. NUMEROUS TIMES THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB
Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 2015170,000 milesID
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 2015280,000 milesTX
I WANT TO REPORT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1999 OLDS ALERO V6. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW SINCE AUG. 2013. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECASUE MY SECURITY LIGHT COME ON AND MY AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COME ON. SO I HAD IT TESTED AND ITS NOT GETTING ANY ELECTRICAL TO IT TO COME ON. AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENS EVERTIME. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WOULD THEY BE ONE IN NEAR FUTURE.... BECASUE I DONT 300-400 EVERYTIME IT GOES OUT.
Electrical System
Filed Jun 15, 2015PA
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY ISSUES. *SMD
Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2015WA
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED. *JB
Electrical System
Filed Mar 12, 2015IN
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY GAVE HER A NEW KEY ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION, WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED FOR FREE. *JB
Electrical System
Filed Feb 24, 2015FL
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER RECEIVED REPAIR FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT WAS DONE IN AUGUST 2013. *TA
Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 2015150,000 milesIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical System
Filed Feb 11, 2015KY
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE FIXED DUE TO A RECALL AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. *TA
Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 2015170,000 milesGA
I HAD THE RECALL DONE BUT MY CAR KEEPS DYING AND WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING I CAN NOW REMOVE MY KEY AND ENGINE STAYS RUNNING. THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT AT LEAST 10 MIN FOR CAR TO START. I HAVE A BABY AND WITH THIS COLD WEATHER PLUS BEING STRANDED IS NOT SAFE. I WAS TOLD ALL THE DEALER DID WAS A NEW KEY/INSERT. THE WHOLE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A NEW RECALL. THE DEALER TOLD ME FOR $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE THAT COULD LOOK AT THE CAR. NEVER DID THIS UNTIL THE DEALER DID THE REPAIR. *TR
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 15, 2014122,000 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 13, 2014WV
WHEN TRYING TO START THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND BLINKS YOU MUST WAIT 10 MINS TO RESTART AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL START OR YOU HAVE TO WAIT THE RECYCLE TILL AGAIN. GM DID A RECALL ON THE KEY ITSELF TO ADD A HOLE IN THE KEY FOR THE WEIGHT SITUATION, BUT DID NOT HELP THE IGNITION PROBLEM OF STARTING THIS VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESS YET? I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 4, 2014WI
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. HOWEVER, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE THE ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WENT OUT. *MW THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
Suspension › Front › Hub
Filed Dec 1, 2014OH
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SS ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE VEHICLE HAD AN EVAP LEAK AND THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. *JB
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 18, 201490,000 milesPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND A CONCUSSION, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 2014MN
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 3, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.