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
What owners actually said
462 reports
80,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Exterior Lighting
THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTANTLY ON MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. AFTER LOOKING INTO SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MANY 2000 ALEROS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN IT STOPS I CAN NORMALLY GET IT TO WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES LONGER BY PUSHING THE TOP OF THE SWITCH DOWN OR WIGGLING IT. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $100 TO …
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THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WORKS INTERMITTANTLY ON MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. AFTER LOOKING INTO SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MANY 2000 ALEROS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN IT STOPS I CAN NORMALLY GET IT TO WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES LONGER BY PUSHING THE TOP OF THE SWITCH DOWN OR WIGGLING IT. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $100 TO REPLACE IT. I REFUSED AND PURCHASED THE SWITCH MYSELF FOR $30. SEEMS VERY ODD THAT GM WOULD RECALL MANY CARS WITH THE SAME SWITCH AND SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT OTHERS. WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT THIS SWTICH IS A PROBLEM IN EARLIER MODELS OF THE ALERO AS WELL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100744
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2004
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BLINKERS AND HAZARD LIGHTS. BOTH DO NOT ALWAYS WORK AND I HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED OUT BY MY DEALER. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT, AND THERE IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY ME, BUT MUST BE SOME KIND OF MALFUNCTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100111
32,000 miles · Nov 11, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSteering
PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY'03. BAD VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED 4+ TIMES, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB KITS REPLACED IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, STILL OCCURS AND HAVE JUST GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO THE SHAKING. ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS: REPLACED PUMP AND "O" RING. POWER STEERING …
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PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY'03. BAD VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED 4+ TIMES, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB KITS REPLACED IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, STILL OCCURS AND HAVE JUST GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO THE SHAKING. ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS: REPLACED PUMP AND "O" RING. POWER STEERING PUMP AND RETURN HOSE REPLACED. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL BACK UP(BELIEVE DEALERSHIP REPLACED PRIO TO PURCHASE). DRIVER SIDE MIRROR MOTOR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, DEALER(IN ROCHESTER) PUT ON RECEIPT OF LAST REPAIR THAT THEY REPLACED MOTOR, BUT DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE PART, BUT WAS ON ORDER. NEVER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL BACK WHEN OR IF PART CAME IN(DEALERSHIP IS OVER 300 MILES FROM MY HOME, PURCHASED CAR ON THE INTERNET).*JB
NHTSA ODI #10098708
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 · Nov 9, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAR STARTED TO RUMBLE WHEN IDLE AND WOULD SPUTTER WHEN FOOT ON GAS. *BF THE FUEL INJECTOR #6 WAS STICKING AND THE SAME THING PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10101211
63,360 miles · Nov 4, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO (OUT OF WARRANTY) BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING" OCCASIONALLY DURING THE SUMMER. I WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. WHILE DRIVING HOME LAST EVENING, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO GO MORE THAN 30 MPH ON A…
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1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO (OUT OF WARRANTY) BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION "SLIPPING" OCCASIONALLY DURING THE SUMMER. I WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. WHILE DRIVING HOME LAST EVENING, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO GO MORE THAN 30 MPH ON A 50 MPH HIGHWAY VERY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN, BUT NOW I AM TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY "POSSIBLY BE BAD" OR IT "COULD BE SEVERAL OTHER THINGS." IN EITHER CASE, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE FOUND THE ERROR BEFORE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THOUGH IT WAS SLUGGISH FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY LURCH FORWARD WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP, IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE SUMMER THAT IT BECAME A FREQUENT AS OPPOSED TO A RARE OCCURRENCE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION. OF NOTE ALSO IS THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW ONLY ROLLS DOWN ON OCCASION AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO BACK UP, THE FAN ONLY WORKS ON THE HIGHEST 2 SETTINGS AND THE ENTIRE WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (SOME SORT OF SENSOR) HAD TO BE REPLACED 1 MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY. WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK. AND, THE AIR CONDITIONER NO LONGER COOLS THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD I HAD A SLOW LEAK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10098258
58,588 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION AND VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND IN A 360 MOTION. THE PASSENGER JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A DEAD STOP WHEN IT HIT A DITCH HEAD ON. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10074064
60,000 miles · Oct 29, 2004
Seat Belts
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS REELED ALL THE WAY OUT AND WOULDN'T RETRACT BACK INTO IT'S HOLSTER AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY RETRACTED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10099048
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2004
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed ControlVisibility
BOTH WINDOWS ON MY CAR HAVE FALLEN INTO THE DOOR. BEFORE FALLING INTO THE DOOR THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE A LOUD POP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10093863
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2004
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
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.
1999 Oldsmobile Alero Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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