2003 Oldsmobile Alero

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 184 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Oldsmobile Alero years to avoid. Which Oldsmobile Alero years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

128 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2003 Oldsmobile Alero problems

84 of the 184 complaints (46%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System63
505
Engine13
000
Air Bags · airbags12
314
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration7
200
Electrical System › Ignition7
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls6
000
Electrical System › Horn6
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration4
100
Unknown or Other4
000
Tires4
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V400000
Filed Jul 3, 20145,877,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors LLC

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.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal04V528000
Filed Nov 1, 200492,863 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Risk. FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 5, 202475,000 milesNJ

The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and crossing an intersection, a speeding police vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the front driver's side wheel was bent. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact hit her chest against the steering wheel. Additionally, the left side of the contact' body hit the driver's side window. The contact was knocked unconscious for approximately 30 minutes. The police officers removed the driver's side door and assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where she spent one night. The contact was then transported to another hospital where she spent two weeks. The contact sustained severe head, collarbone, neck, and back pain. Additionally, the contact sustained chest pain bruises, and a broken left foot. The contact was then sent to a rehabilitation center where she spent one week. The contact was then transported to her residence by emergency units. The contact stated that she had not been able to work properly and she had been depressed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 20, 2021OR

Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 201974,350 milesUT

1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CALLED DEALER AND ASKED WHAT I SHOULD DO. COAST OUT OF THE CANYON WITH THE ENGINE OFF. TURN ENGINE ON AFTER SEVERAL MILES AND NO MORE PROBLEMS. DRIVE HOME CAREFULLY. NEXT DAY THROWS SEVERAL CODES AND RUNNING SLUGGISH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CODES ARE GONE RIGHT BEFORE IT GOES TO DEALER. THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IF CAR HAS NO ACTIVE CODES OR SYMPTOMS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER TURN CAR ON AND CAR IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND HAS SEVERAL PENDING CODES. CAREFULLY DRIVE HOME. CODES DIDN'T SAVE. FINALLY ABLE TO TAKE TO DEALER AROUND JUNE 25TH WHILE CAR IS MAKING THE KNOCKING NOISE BUT NO CODES AND THEY THINK IT'S A LIFTER BUT NOT SURE. I LEFT THE CAR AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. LITERALLY THE SAME DAY I PICK THE CAR UP IT IS KNOCKING AND CONSISTENTLY DOES SO FOR THE NEXT WEEK AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP. JULY 5 ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BEING HIT BY A HAMMER AND THROWS P0011 CAM TIMING ADVANCED. OIL PRESSURE IS 5PSI AT IDLE AND 40PSI AT 5000RPM. HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T MAKE THE DRIVE AND THEY SAY IT IS PISTON SLAP WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE ENGINE THEY DETERMINE IT IS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH THE TIMING COVER, OIL PAN AND ONE VALVE COVER OFF AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I CAN'T

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 2017VA

CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES HER AND THERE HAS HAD A FUEL LEAK FOR AWHILE NOW AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT START..

Engine
Filed May 8, 201790,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 2017150,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND BATTERY WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS BRIEFLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER TEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 10, 201755,000 milesWY

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CAR RANDOMLY BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO TRY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING BUT THAT DID NOTHING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN OFF ONTO A SIDE STREET WHERE I WAS ABLE TO SHUT OF THE ENGINE AND MAKE THE CAR STOP BEFORE HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. THE CAR'S ENGINE REVVED UP SO HIGH THAT IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO BLOW UP THE ENGINE. NOW THERE IS OIL LEAKING SEVERELY UNDER THE CAR AFTER THIS INCIDENT.

Tires
Filed Oct 15, 201697,700 milesNJ

CONTINUATION OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT (10908068). ON 9/20/16, PRIOR DEFECTIVE STARFIRE RS-C 2.0 ULTIMATE TOURING TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SIMILAR STARFIRE TIRE (U30H LDJ) AT PEP BOYS. PAID $42.41 (TIRE HANDLING CHARGE, WHEEL BALANCE, ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY, AND VALVE STEM). ON 10/13/16 NOTICED NEW TIRE WAS FLAT/LOW, TIRE PRESSUE WAS DOWN TO 18LBS; INFLATED TO 34LBS. ON 10/14 TIRE WAS FLAT AGAIN DOWN TO 19LBS. USED FIX-A-FLAT TYPE PRODUCT AND INFLATED TO 34LBS, APPEARS TO BE HOLDING. SCHEDULING APPT WITH PEP BOYS TO CHECK TIRE AND POSSIBLY RESEAL. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO THIS TIRE BRAND? IS THERE A DEFECT?

Wheels
Filed Oct 15, 201697,700 milesNJ

CONTINUATION OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT (10908068). ON 9/20/16, PRIOR DEFECTIVE STARFIRE RS-C ULTIMATE TOURING TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SIMILAR STARFIRE TIRE (U30H LDJ) AT PEP BOYS. PAID $42.41 (TIRE HANDLING CHARGE, WHEEL BALANCE, ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY, AND VALVE STEM). ON 10/13/16 NOTICED NEW TIRE WAS FLAT/LOW, TIRE PRESSUE WAS DOWN TO 18LBS; INFLATED TO 34LBS. ON 10/14 TIRE WAS FLAT AGAIN DOWN TO 19LBS. USED FIX-A-FLAT TYPE PRODUCT AND INFLATED TO 34LBS, APPEARS TO BE HOLDING. SCHEDULING APPT WITH PEP BOYS TO CHECK TIRE AND POSSIBLY RESEAL. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO THIS TIRE BRAND? IS THERE A DEFECT?

Tires
Filed Sep 19, 201696,940 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING ON I-295 NORTH NEAR HAMILTON TWP, NJ AT AROUND 6:45PM AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A 2-INCH SQUARE HOLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL AND THE DRIVING SURFACE WAS DRY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PEP BOYS, BEVERLY NJ WHERE I PURCHASED ALL FOUR STARFIRE TIRES (RS-C 2.0 225/50/R16) ON 12/27/2015. EACH TIRE HAS THE ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 25, 2016160,000 milesCA

IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE RESULTING IN THE DEVICE STOCKING AND BECOMING STUCK INOPERABLE. AT FIRST IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RUN POSSITION. IT WOULD FEEL STUCK AND TOOK SOME WIGGLING AND SHAKING IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. WHICH PROGRESSED TO BEING STUCK PERMANENTLY.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 2016WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO THE CONTACT NOT HAVING THE ORIGINAL KEY FOB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Jun 7, 2016110,000 milesWV

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR JUMPED UP ITO 6 AND 7 RPMS IN THE RED GOT STUCK EVEN WHEN PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED STAYED THERE I THE RED FOR A FEW SECONDS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS FINALLY DROPPED AND STARTED KNOCKING.

Electrical System
Filed May 5, 2016174,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed May 4, 2016WI

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS IN USE DURING CITY DRIVING, WHEN AN ODOR SIMILAR TO EXHAUST WAS NOTICED. DRIVER CONTINUED FOR 3 MORE BLOCKS, WINDOWS DOWN, THEN STOPPED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PINK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND A PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR PILLAR. SMOKE ENDED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING STOPPED WITH ENGINE OFF. INSPECTION SHOWED BURNT AND MELTED DEFOGGER UNIT, DAMAGED INSULATION, AND PARTLY MELTED PLASTIC PANEL. FUSE FOR THE UNIT WAS REMOVED AND CAR INTERIOR CLEANED. NO OTHER REPAIRS. EVENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 13, 2016215,015 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND WHITE SMOKE OR MIST EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A RADIATOR SPECIALIST, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,015. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF

Electrical System
Filed Mar 31, 2016165,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH A RECALL REPLACEMENT KEY THAT WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE FACTORY KEY PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE RECALL REPLACEMENT KEY FAILED TO START THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION HAD TO BE EXPOSED IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 2, 2016105,860 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,860.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock
Filed Feb 3, 2016MD

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRUNK ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE THIRD TIME, SINCE SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE GATE RELEASE ON THE TRUNK LID HAS FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LID WOULD COME DOWN WITH NO WARNING. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 201691,000 milesOR

TRIED TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, ONLY CRANK. STARTED NEXT MORNING AND HAD IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. REPAIR SHOP SAID TO TAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR FIX. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN GM VEHICLES AND MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING. THERE IS A WAY TO START IT SOMETIMES BY WAITING TEN MINUTES WITH KEY IN ACC AND THEN TURNING OFF AND THEN REMOVING THE KEY AND THEN RE STARTING. THIS IS WORKING BUT NOT ALWAYS. APPARENTLY GM IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO CORRECT IT. I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE OR THE SECURITY SYSTEM COULD POSSIBLY TURN THE CAR OFF. ALSO THERE IS DISCUSSION THAT THIS MAY ALSO BE A BAD IGNITION SWITCH BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SWITCH, ONLY THE KEY!

Engine
Filed Dec 29, 201523,227 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE PASS LOCK ASSEMBLY AND THE LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,227. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2015NC

MY IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT INVOKE THE ENGINE. IT HAS HAPPENED COUPLE OF TIMES WITH MY ALERO. LAST YEAR AS PER THE RECALL NOTICE GM DEALER CHANGED THE KEYS AND NOT THE ENTIRE IGNITION MODULE. HAVE SPENT OVER USD 350 IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND AGAIN TODAY THE OLDS ALERO IS STOP WORKING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT SEEM TO TURN ON.

Engine
Filed Nov 23, 2015117,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING FOUR TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 15, 2015FL

I HAD GOT THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL DONE IT WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT NOW ITS BACK ACTING UP MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAVE COME ON SINCE THEN AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I HAVE HAD MY CAR CHECK NUMEROUS TIME AND EVERYONE SAYS ITS MY IGNITION THATS MAKING MY CAR TRY NOT TO CRANK. THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TO TO TURN ON CAR AND AIRBAG LIGHT HAVE BEEN ON SINCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 29, 201560,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT REMAIN ON AND CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/15/16*LJ *JS

Steering
Filed Oct 27, 201580,000 milesIL

GOT MY CAR TOLD TO SHOP IT WAS RUNNING WHEN GOT CAR WOULD NOT START UP THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN

Electrical System
Filed Oct 13, 201520,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TIME TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2015162,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000. MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/28/2017*CN

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 7, 2015107,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHO REPLACED ANOTHER IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE IGNITION CYLINDER WERE FAULTY, BUT THEY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017*CN

Electrical System
Filed Jun 30, 2015127,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE CONTACT HAVING TO JIGGLE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ THE CONSUMER HAD A NEW CUT AT THE DEALER, AND IT SOLVED THE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/16/16*JB

Electrical System
Filed Jun 9, 2015NV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed May 25, 201575,750 milesNJ

POWER MIRROR SWITCH FAILED. LOSS OF MORE THAN ONE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS (FAULTY SWITCH OR FAULTY BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR BLOCK?). HVAC DIRECTION CONTROL UNIT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED (A/C AND HEAT BLOWING OUT OF FRONT VENTS ONLY; SWITCH DOES NOT WORK).

Electrical System
Filed May 20, 201598,000 milesTX

I PURCHASED MY 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BLINKERS EVER SINCE. SOME DAYS THEY WILL WORK OFF AND ON, SOME DAYS NOT AT ALL. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN IN DANGER. JUST THE OTHER DAY WE WERE ALMOST HIT BECAUSE MY BLINKER QUIT WORKING RIGHT BEFORE I MADE A RIGHT TURN.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 16, 2015159,800 milesID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,800.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 9, 2015157,783 milesSC

RECALL 14350 WAS FIXED BUT AFTER A WEEK, THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING . PLEASE HELP.NO ONE SEEM TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG . THIS IS MY TRANSPORTATION BACK AND FOURTH TO WORK. I NEVER NO WHETHER I'AM GOING TO GET HOME OR NOT.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 2015MI

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL FOR IGNITION SYSTEM AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. THE TUMBLER ASSEMBLY AND KEY WERE REPLACED. *JB

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 2015WV

UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. ONE ISSUE BEING IT WOULD NOT START. I LET THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM LOOK AT IT AND HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT HE USUALLY DEALS WITH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTED GOING OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY ONE DAY AND NOW THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE IS THAT OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, FORCING ME TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE CAR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE TURNING SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER 7PM THROUGH 8AM I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET THE SIGNALS TO TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T WORK IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 28, 2015MN

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND WHEN IT DID START, IT WOULD SHUT OFF IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING. *MW THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 28, 2015200,000 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD, WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN

Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2015127,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A WHILE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 26, 2015113,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO START AND THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 16, 201566,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 14, 2015160,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF TWICE MORE. IT TOOK THE CONTACT ALMOST AN HOUR TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE THERMOSTAT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Dec 23, 2014100,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 15, 201427,865 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,865. UPDATED 02/20/15*LJ UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN

Electrical System
Filed Dec 5, 2014135,241 milesWI

WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 25MPH AND 50MPH THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OFF AND WILL TAKE UP TO 10 MINUTES TO START. THIS OCCURS WEEKLY, I RECEIVED A RECALL CALL NOTICED STATING THAT IT WAS THE KEY FOB AND THAT KEY COVERS WERE INSTALLED ON 10-09-2014. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS HAVE INCREASED. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 3, 2014TX

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEED TO HAVE THE IGNITION AND KEYS REPAIRED. *SS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND KEYS. HOWEVER, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2014, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAD DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Nov 19, 2014IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Engine
Filed Nov 13, 201480,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD, WHICH HOUSES THE AIR BAG, SEPARATED AND EXPOSED THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Electrical SystemCrash1 killed
Filed Nov 13, 2014WI

CONSUMER IS WRITING IN REGARDS TO 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. STATING THAT SON WAS KILLED IN SINGLE CAR CRASH, ROLL OVER. WONDERING IF THE KEY FOB WAS THE CAUSE. *KL THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Complaints 1-50 of 184, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2004109220Routine
2003 — this page184311Fatalities reported
2002279280Above average
2001364551Fatalities reported
2000557580Above average
19994624112Fatalities reported
19982000Routine

Compare every Alero year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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.