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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 →
462Owner complaints

Model-year median: 279

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
1998462
1999557
2000364
2001279
2002
Compare all Alero years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
111Electrical System
89Engine And Engine Cooling
85Visibility
56Suspension
46
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
43Power Train
34Steering
30Structure
29Fuel System, Gasoline
25Air Bags
14Vehicle Speed Control
14Seat Belts
11Seats
10Unknown Or Other
10Wheels
9Equipment
8Fuel System, Other
5Parking Brake
5Service Brakes, Air
5Fuel/propulsion System
3Interior Lighting
2Tires
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electrical System complaints

89 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2005
Electrical System

WHEN IT RAINS CAR EITHER WONT START, OR GUAGES WILL NOT WORK. RADIO STOPS WORKING. BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. FUSE BOX WAS CORRODED, REPLACED WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NO IS ACTING UP AGAIN. MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES BEFORE THEY FIXED THE FUSE BOX. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO FIX SOME…

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WHEN IT RAINS CAR EITHER WONT START, OR GUAGES WILL NOT WORK. RADIO STOPS WORKING. BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. FUSE BOX WAS CORRODED, REPLACED WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND NO IS ACTING UP AGAIN. MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES BEFORE THEY FIXED THE FUSE BOX. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WASNT THE PROBLEM AND CHARGE $450 MORE THAN THE COST.

NHTSA ODI #10129337

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Air

REAR DEFROSTER, STEERING, BRAKES (3X'S), ENGINE, RADIATOR, BELT, SECURITY SYSTERM, TAPE DECK, POWER WINDOWS.

NHTSA ODI #10128844

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1999 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE AND ROTOR PROBLEMS. *SC THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE FRONT COILS SPRING FAILED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR AND HUB ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10129151

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

LEFT SCHOOL WENT TO THE BANK, CAME OUT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER HOOD BY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I CRACKED THE HOOD AND SMOKE INCREASED. I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, I PUT THE HOOD BACK DOWN AND ASKED THE BANK TELLER TO CALL 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND OPENED HOOD, ALTERNATOR WAS BURNED OUT ENTIRELY AND THERE HAD BEEN NO …

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LEFT SCHOOL WENT TO THE BANK, CAME OUT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER HOOD BY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I CRACKED THE HOOD AND SMOKE INCREASED. I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, I PUT THE HOOD BACK DOWN AND ASKED THE BANK TELLER TO CALL 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND OPENED HOOD, ALTERNATOR WAS BURNED OUT ENTIRELY AND THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING SIGNS AT ANY TIME. HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE, WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR, AND PAY FOR TOWING. ADVISED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOT TO TURN THE IGNITION FOR ANY REASON BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WILL IGNITE, UNTIL REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10126563

129,000 miles · Jan 25, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON JAN 17 I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, TWO TO THREE, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND. JUST ONE TIME, SO I STARTED LOOKING AROUND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I NOTICED A HOLE BETWEEN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW AND THE REAR WINDOW. MY ALERO WAS A 2 DOOR. WHEN I GOT WHEN I COULD PULL OVER THER…

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON JAN 17 I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, TWO TO THREE, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND. JUST ONE TIME, SO I STARTED LOOKING AROUND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I NOTICED A HOLE BETWEEN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW AND THE REAR WINDOW. MY ALERO WAS A 2 DOOR. WHEN I GOT WHEN I COULD PULL OVER THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE HOLE. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THEM OUT. I CALLED 911. BY TIME THE FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS BEYOND SAVING. THE ONLY THING LEFT OF IT WAS THE BODY AND THE ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107914

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2004
Electrical System

A SHORTAGE CONTINUOUSLY OCCURS WITHIN THE FUSE BOX, CAUSING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099809

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR HAS BURNED OUT TWICE. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF IN REVERSE, ROLLED BACK HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE CONSUMER HAS TO SPRAY IT WITH 40/40 WD BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTH…

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THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR HAS BURNED OUT TWICE. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF IN REVERSE, ROLLED BACK HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE CONSUMER HAS TO SPRAY IT WITH 40/40 WD BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #10092139

60,400 miles · Sep 10, 2004
Electrical System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SECURITY LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK WHEN WE GOT BACK FROM A TRIP. WE TOOK IT IN AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK REVEALED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR WAS BAD. SO THAT WAS REPLACED. (CODE 00327). *AK BUT NOW THE LIGHT STILL KEEPS COMING ON FOR THE SAME CODE EVEN THOUGH IT'S ALREADY BEEN FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10090795

74,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE CHECKED DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND LEAKED RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO A BAD…

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CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE CHECKED DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND LEAKED RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO A BAD CHIP IN THE MOTHER BOARD. THE CAUSE OF THE RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE LEAK WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10075819

40,000 miles · Apr 19, 2004
Electrical System

I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER :03V327000 FOR 2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE IT MY SELF. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE 1999 MODEL YEAR? IF NOT WHY NOT?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10066453

Official recalls

3

14V400000 · 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

1

RQ04005 · 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.