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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

What owners actually said

462 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2005
Air Bags

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

NHTSA ODI #10136351

88,498 miles · Aug 16, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

DT: WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THERE WERE NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, WENT OVER SMALL EMBANKMENT, AND STRUCK A TREE WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE A WRECKER SERVICE SHOP. HAS NOT BEEN TO A REPAIR SHOP OR DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THERE WAS…

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DT: WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THERE WERE NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, WENT OVER SMALL EMBANKMENT, AND STRUCK A TREE WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE A WRECKER SERVICE SHOP. HAS NOT BEEN TO A REPAIR SHOP OR DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. IN THE PAST THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHERE ON PARKING ON A INCLINE A BLOCK HAD TO BE PLACED BEHIND TO WHEELS TO KEEP ITFROM ROLLING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10133079

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY DAUGHTER WILL BE DRIVING HER 99 ALERO ALONG AND AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE CAR STALLS, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DON'T WORK AND SHE HAS A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY PULLING OVER TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130556

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE ROTORS. *MR *SC

NHTSA ODI #10132354

49,460 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Suspension

1 I WAS LEAVING WORK PARKING LOT AND HEARD A CLUNK NOISE AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO SEE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING AND CHECKED MY TIRES AND EVERYTHING APPEARED ALRIGHT SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT AGAIN AND HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN PSSSSSSSSSS. GOT OUT OF MY CAR AGAIN AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFLATED. 2 WHEN PULLING TIRE OFF …

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1 I WAS LEAVING WORK PARKING LOT AND HEARD A CLUNK NOISE AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO SEE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING AND CHECKED MY TIRES AND EVERYTHING APPEARED ALRIGHT SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT AGAIN AND HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN PSSSSSSSSSS. GOT OUT OF MY CAR AGAIN AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFLATED. 2 WHEN PULLING TIRE OFF TO CHANGE IT WE COULDN'T GET THE TIRE OFF BECAUSE THE COIL SPRING SHOT THROUGH THE TIRE. FINALLY GOT TIRE OFF AND CHANGED IT. 3 TOOK CAR TO STEVE SHANNON TIRE AND AUTO CENTER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. CHECKED WITH GM DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL (BEFORE HAVING SHANNON'S FIX IT) BUT THERE WAS NOT. TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT. PARTS REPLACED : 2 STRUTS, COIL SPRING SET, 2 STRUT MOUNTS, 1 TIRE. I DO HAVE THE TIRE AND COIL SPRING. I REPORTED THIS TO GM AND TOLD THEM I WOULD BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130492

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

88,000 miles · Jul 9, 2005
Suspension

I HAVE A 99 OLDMOBILE ALERO. I WAS DRIVING IT OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW SPEED. NEAR THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. I MANUVERED MY CAR INTO THE STREET AND THERE WAS A LOUD CRUNCHING DRAGGING SOUND. I STOPPED MY CAR AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW NOTHING. I MOVED MY CAR BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED AND CH…

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I HAVE A 99 OLDMOBILE ALERO. I WAS DRIVING IT OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW SPEED. NEAR THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. I MANUVERED MY CAR INTO THE STREET AND THERE WAS A LOUD CRUNCHING DRAGGING SOUND. I STOPPED MY CAR AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW NOTHING. I MOVED MY CAR BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND WALKED AROUND AGAIN. I NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT TO THE GROUND. I TOOK OFF THE TIRE AND NOTICED A LARGE GROOVE AND SPLIT IN THE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO HOME AND TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. MY CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP WAITING FOR A COST ESTIMATE AND SERVICE. IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART.

NHTSA ODI #10128198

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

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.