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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 →

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

43 reports
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62,000 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2003 BUT HIS VEHICLE IS A 1999. OLDSMOBILE WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE NOR REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS. OLD PART AVAILABLE. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10049999

50,000 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH.*AK AFTER REPAIR WAS MADE, CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL FOR 2000-2001 MODEL YEARS FOR THE SAME DEFECT. HE BELIEVES GM SHOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10042438

102,350 miles · Dec 24, 2003
Exterior Lighting

I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V327000. SPECIFICALLY, MY VEHICLE'S HAZARD-LIGHT SWITCHES MALFUNCTION WHEN THERE IS A TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING MY TURN SIGNALS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I HAVE A…

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I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V327000. SPECIFICALLY, MY VEHICLE'S HAZARD-LIGHT SWITCHES MALFUNCTION WHEN THERE IS A TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING MY TURN SIGNALS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I HAVE A 1999 ALERO, THAT MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THEREFORE, THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY PUTS ME IN HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS DUE TO TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING AT TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051065

55,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048336

120,000 miles · Nov 4, 2003
Exterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY STOPS OPERATING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046345

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2003
Exterior Lighting

THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE 1999 ALERO AS WELL AS THE 2000-2001 MAKE: OLDSMOBILE MODEL: ALERO YEAR: 2000 RECALL NUMBER: 03V327000 SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDE…

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THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE 1999 ALERO AS WELL AS THE 2000-2001 MAKE: OLDSMOBILE MODEL: ALERO YEAR: 2000 RECALL NUMBER: 03V327000 SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. CONSEQUENCE: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041307

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2003
Exterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNALS FAIL AT LEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES STOP AS IM SITTING AND WAITING TO MAKE A TURN . EMERGENCY FLASHERS DO THE SAME THING ,THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO . HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS ON GETTING HIT DOING LANE CHANGES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM .

NHTSA ODI #10036743

58,000 miles · Aug 11, 2003
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THEY EITHER FAIL WHILE THE LEVER IS ACTIVATED OR WILL NOT FUNCTION ON LEVER COMMAND. TURN SIGNALS FAIL AT VARIOUS TIMES AND THEN PROPERLY FUNCTION AGAIN WITH NO CONSISTENCY. VARIOUS SHOPS HAVE NO ANSWER TO PROBLEM, UNLESS THEY COMPLETELY FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10032597

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2002
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ALWAYS OPERATE OR CONTINUE FLASHING WHEN ACTIVATED BY LEVER WHETHER THEY FUNCTION OR NOT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND PRESENTS A DANGEROUS ROAD HAZARD! DT

NHTSA ODI #768616

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2002
Exterior Lighting

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE TRYING TO USE THE HAZARD BUTTON THE BUTTON WILL GO STRAIGHT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE HAZARD LIGHT TO STAY ON EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN QUICKLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

NHTSA ODI #8019539

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.