IllustrationWHEN I GOT ACCIDENT NOVEMBER 3 2004 AND AIRBAG NOT COME BLOW YET. I GOT INJURY HEAD AND BROKE LEG ON RIGHT.
1999 Oldsmobile Alero
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 279.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Alero years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
3625–50K
5550–75K
3575–100K
21100–150K
7150K+
169 reports with mileage · 293 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports11 fire reports13 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
14 reportsTAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
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 T…
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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.
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 POL…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HERNIATED DISK TO THE NECK AND INJURIES TO THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HERNIATED DISK TO THE NECK AND INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND HIP, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN HIS 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH WHEN HE RAN INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED OLDER VEHICLE WHICH HAD A STEEL BUMPER. MY SON'S 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE AND MY SON HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN HIS 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH WHEN HE RAN INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED OLDER VEHICLE WHICH HAD A STEEL BUMPER. MY SON'S 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE AND MY SON HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HIT A POT HOLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY, THE AIR BAG ON THE RIGHT SIDE EJECTED AND IT BENT OPEN. IT LOOKED AS IF TISSUE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT …
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HIT A POT HOLE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY, THE AIR BAG ON THE RIGHT SIDE EJECTED AND IT BENT OPEN. IT LOOKED AS IF TISSUE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY. THIS OCCURRED 34 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT VEHICLE AND URGED HER TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. ALSO, A BAD ODOR COME FROM THE AIR BAG. THIS CRACKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASH BOARD. IT OCCURRED ALMOST A YEAR AGO. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
DEAR SIRS, CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH A CERTAIN MODEL OF CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VINYL DASH OF THIS CAR WILL PEEL BACK AND OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ONLY GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHY WAS TH…
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DEAR SIRS, CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH A CERTAIN MODEL OF CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VINYL DASH OF THIS CAR WILL PEEL BACK AND OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ONLY GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHY WAS THIS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN DUE THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OBVIOUSLY DAMAGED. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE COULD MAKE THE AIRBAG DEPLOY FOR NO REASON A INJURE THE PASSENGER OR EVEN WORSE, NOT DEPLOY UPON A FRONTAL COLLISION. AGAIN I WAS NOT GIVEN AN ANSWER ON WHY THIS WAS NOT A CONCERN. I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS AND WAS CONCERNED THAT WHAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN NOT NEEDED AND THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE SEAT. EVEN IF THE CHILD WAS OLD ENOUGH TO BE IN THE FRONT AND WAS IN THERE SEAT BELT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT ANYTHING TO STOP ANY INJURY TO THE CHILD.*AK
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH DOWN ROAD. GM PULLED DATA FROM COMPUTER AND HAS NOW SAID THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS, POTHOLE, BUSH, STICK OR SOMETHING. THEY HOWEVER WON'T HELP IN THE MATTER BECAUSE SOMETHING CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WELL I COULD HAVE TOLD THEM THAT BECAUSE NOTHING H…
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AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH DOWN ROAD. GM PULLED DATA FROM COMPUTER AND HAS NOW SAID THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS, POTHOLE, BUSH, STICK OR SOMETHING. THEY HOWEVER WON'T HELP IN THE MATTER BECAUSE SOMETHING CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY, WELL I COULD HAVE TOLD THEM THAT BECAUSE NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT A REASON. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE YET I AM STILL TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED. *LA
Official recalls
314V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 3, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
00V140000 · Structure:body
May 18, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
98V320000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Dec 15, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ04005 · Turn Signal Failures
Opened Jun 18, 2004 · Closed Nov 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.