IllustrationWHEN EXITING A RAMP AND APPLYING BRAKES EXTREME VIBRATION OCCURS, CAUSING ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
111 reportsMANUFACTURERS ROTORS ARE NOT BUILT TO THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE CAR. THEY CONTINUALLY WARP AND FAIL AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND NEED TO BE DONE ONCE AGAIN.*AK
THERE WAS NOISE WHILE DRIVING COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALER REPLACED WITH REM TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND LEAKAGE.*AK THE VEHICLE HAS TORQ AXIS HYDRALIC TRANSMISSION MOTOR MOUNT DEFECT. VEHICLE MAKES NOISE DUE TO TRANSAXLE FAIURE.. BRAKES MAKING NOISE DUE TO ROTORS FAILURE. *YH
THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND BY MY HUSBAND ON EACH OCCURANCE, I AM SCARED FOR OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFTY OF OTHERS BECAUSE I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS IF MY HUSBAND DID NOT STAY RIGHT ON TOP OF THINGS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR CONSUMERS AND OTHERS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IF THE BRAKES FAIL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM SOME INNOCENT PERSONS CAN S…
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THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND BY MY HUSBAND ON EACH OCCURANCE, I AM SCARED FOR OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFTY OF OTHERS BECAUSE I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS IF MY HUSBAND DID NOT STAY RIGHT ON TOP OF THINGS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR CONSUMERS AND OTHERS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IF THE BRAKES FAIL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM SOME INNOCENT PERSONS CAN SERIOUSLY GET HURT ALONG WITH OUR OWN FAMILY. PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK REGARDING THIS MATTER SO MAYBE THE LIFES OF OTHERS CAN BE SECURE.
WHILE APLYING BRAKES PEDAL WOULD SLOWLY GO TO THE FLOOR IF YOU PUMPED IT IT WOULD COME BACK AND PEDAL PRESURE FELT MUSHY. WHILE GOTNG DOWN A HILL, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK TO GMC DEALER AND HE SAID BRAKE FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED AND WARRANTY WOULDNT COVER REPAIRS. IT COST 2100$ TO FIX IT THIS CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SEVICED AT GMC…
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WHILE APLYING BRAKES PEDAL WOULD SLOWLY GO TO THE FLOOR IF YOU PUMPED IT IT WOULD COME BACK AND PEDAL PRESURE FELT MUSHY. WHILE GOTNG DOWN A HILL, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK TO GMC DEALER AND HE SAID BRAKE FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED AND WARRANTY WOULDNT COVER REPAIRS. IT COST 2100$ TO FIX IT THIS CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SEVICED AT GMC DEALERS BRAKE FLUID HAD A GREENISH COULER TO IT .INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOOK A SAMPLE IDONT NO THE RESULTS OF IT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH SUDDEN DEACCELERATION WHILE GAS PEDAL WAS STILL PRESSED, AND RPMS WERE BETWEEN 5 AND 6000. THAT HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLES, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS THE CAUSE. CONSUMER HAD FIXED THE ROTORS AT THAT TIME.*AK
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS CAUSED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND HEAVY SHIMMER. *YH
EACH AND EVERYTIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES I FEAR LOSING CONTROL. WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE OR PULSATE OR BOTH, AT TIMES IT BECOMES REALLY HARD TO STOP. (MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE NOT IN WORKING ORDER AS WELL) I MADE TWO ATTEMPTS GOING ON A THIRD TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM (PLATES WERE RECUT BY DEALER) BUT…
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EACH AND EVERYTIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES I FEAR LOSING CONTROL. WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE OR PULSATE OR BOTH, AT TIMES IT BECOMES REALLY HARD TO STOP. (MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE NOT IN WORKING ORDER AS WELL) I MADE TWO ATTEMPTS GOING ON A THIRD TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM (PLATES WERE RECUT BY DEALER) BUT WITH NO SUCCESS I'M FORCED TO MAKE AN OFFICAL COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE TO PRODUCE/MAINTAIN A SAFE VECHILE IS BOTH THE MFG & DEALERS FAULT. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY VIBRATED AND TREMBLED. *AK
1)THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FEELS WEAK AND A SUBSTANTIAL VIBRATION OF THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT PANEL OF THE CAR OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CAR DOES NOT STOP SUFFICIENTLY UNLESS BRAKES ARE FULLY DEPRESSED. 2)THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY START MULTIPLE TIMES AND IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO START. THE BATT…
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1)THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FEELS WEAK AND A SUBSTANTIAL VIBRATION OF THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT PANEL OF THE CAR OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CAR DOES NOT STOP SUFFICIENTLY UNLESS BRAKES ARE FULLY DEPRESSED. 2)THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY START MULTIPLE TIMES AND IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO START. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS FINE. NO RECHARGING OF BATTERY OCCURS EVEN AFTER JUMP-STARTING AND RUNNING THE ENGINE FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. 3) LEFT REAR DOOR PANEL HAS PARTS THAT ARE FALLING OFF AND LOOSE. 4) PARKING BRAKES ARE WEAK AND FAIL TO PREVENT ROLLING ON INCLINES. ADDITIONALLY, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL PLACED ON THIS MODEL FOR FAILURE TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL/CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFTEY STANDARD 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." *AK
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.