IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AN SAW THE RIGHT TIRE FLAT. A MECHANIC INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOT NOTIFIED.*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
Suspension complaints
46 reportsI WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY COIL (SPRING) SNAPPED OFF AND BROKE. IT SLICED MY TIRE AND I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRE AS WELL AS THE COIL (SPRING). IT WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I AM NERVOUS THAT THE OTHER ONE MAY SNAP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT THE TIME THAT COIL SNAPPED…
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I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY COIL (SPRING) SNAPPED OFF AND BROKE. IT SLICED MY TIRE AND I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRE AS WELL AS THE COIL (SPRING). IT WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I AM NERVOUS THAT THE OTHER ONE MAY SNAP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT THE TIME THAT COIL SNAPPED. I AM AWARE THAT THIS PART WAS RECALLED ON THE FORD TAURUS.*AK
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM MY HOME. I MADE A LEFT TURN AT A LIGHT, AND UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS ON IT'S RIM. THINKING THAT I HIT SOMETHING, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR. WHEN I JACKED UP MY CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE TIRE TO…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM MY HOME. I MADE A LEFT TURN AT A LIGHT, AND UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS ON IT'S RIM. THINKING THAT I HIT SOMETHING, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR. WHEN I JACKED UP MY CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE TIRE TO PUT ON THE SPARE, I REALIZED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THE JAGGED EDGE OF THE SPRING HAD PIERCED MY TIRE. SINCE I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, IN SECONDS IT SHEARED MY TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND, CAUSING STEERING TO BE DIFFICULT. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GENERAL MOTORS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE OR TOWING FEES. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS STUCK PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AT A DEALERSHIP AND A TOW THAT WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSING A NEAR-ACCIDENT. *LA
1999 ALERO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MANIFOLD LEAKING OIL AND FAILED FUEL INJECTORS. *MR THE FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN SUDDENLY AS THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE MANIFOLD AND INJECTOR PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN ONE WEEK. RECALL #3V473000 AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION. *SC *JB
I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY WARNING TO THE EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. UPON RETURNING HOME AT 11 P.M. MAY15, 2004 FROM MY PARENTS HOME, I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE AND I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE CAR …
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I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY WARNING TO THE EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. UPON RETURNING HOME AT 11 P.M. MAY15, 2004 FROM MY PARENTS HOME, I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE AND I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE CAR OVER INSIDE AND OUT AND FOUND NOTHING AMISS, ONLY THE SMELL. I RETREATED TO THE CONFINES OF MY HOME AND AFTER A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, I HEARD WHAT APPEARED TO BE A GUN SHOT NOISE THEN A HISSING SOUND. I STEPPED OUTSIDE AND NOTICED THE HISSING SOUND WAS COMING FROM MY CARS RIGHT FRONT TIRE, WHICH HAD GONE FLAT. DECIDING I WOULD CHECK THE SITUATION THE NEXT MORNING THEN RETURNED TO THE HOUSE. THE NEXT MORNING, I LOOKED TO FIND IN FACT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. MY FIANCE TRIED TO PLACE A SCISSOR JACK UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO JACK IT UP AND REPLACE THE TIRE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. WE PLACED THE JACK UNDER THE REAR TIRE AND JACKED THAT UP UNTIL THERE WAS SUFFICIENT ROOM TO PLACE ANOTHER JACK UNDER THE FRONT TIRE. WHEN THE CAR WAS JACKED HIGH ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE TIRE, WE NOTICED THE COIL SPRING HAD SCHEARED IN HALF CAUSING THE JAGGED EDGE OF THE SPRING TO GOUGH INTO THE FRONT TIRE CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. THERE IS AN INDICATION THAT THE MANUFACTURES WELD ON THE SPRING WAS POORLY DONE AS APPARENT BY A RUST SPOT AT THE BREAKING POINT. I ALSO BELIEVE THE STRUT INSIDE THE COIL SPRING IS DAMAGED ALSO. *AK
THIS CAR HAS MANY PROBLEMS BUT THE WORST OF THEM IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING THAT BROKE IN HALF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BEFORE HITTING ANY OTHER DRIVERS. THE CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 70K ON IT AND THE SPRING SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THAT. THE STRUTS ARE ALSO SHOT AND THE MOU…
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THIS CAR HAS MANY PROBLEMS BUT THE WORST OF THEM IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING THAT BROKE IN HALF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BEFORE HITTING ANY OTHER DRIVERS. THE CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 70K ON IT AND THE SPRING SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THAT. THE STRUTS ARE ALSO SHOT AND THE MOUNTING PLATES ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ALSO VIBRATES AND PULSS TO THE LEFT IF YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING OVER 50MPH. SOMETIMES THE POWER WINDOWS ALSO QUIT WORKING FOR NO REASON. ALSO WHEN YOU FIRST TAKE OFF IN THE CAR IN THE MORNING THERE IS A LOUD GRINGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOBODY CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. SINCE HAVING THIS CAR I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 1/2 YEARS OLD. I REMEMBER WHEN A CAR WOULD LAST YOU A GOOD 15 YEARS IF YOUR TOOK CARE OF IT. WHAT HAPPEN TO QUALITY. NO WONDER THE JAPANESSE ARE DOING SO WELL!
FRONT HUB BEARING WORE OUT PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT, A GRINDING NOISE WAS PRODUCED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE FRONT HUBS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. ALSO, VEHICLE USED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND COOLANT.*AK
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARING IN JUNE OF 2002. WHEEL BEARING IS GOING OUT AGAIN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAD AN OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE THAT HE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVERS WHEEL BEARING ON TWICE BEFORE GETTING RID OF THE CAR. *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.