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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 · Nov 4, 2014
Electrical System

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10651199

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2014
Electrical System

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #14350. * LD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER SHE HAD REPLACED ON JUNE 5, 2013. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10648112

92,000 miles · Oct 18, 2014
Unknown Or Other

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BOB STALL CHEVROLET HERE IN LA MESA, CA. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR AN HOUR AND LIED TO ME AND AFTER WAITING WITH NO RESPONSE FOR AN HOUR, I WENT TO RETRIEVE MY CAR AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY $50 TO GET 3 KEYS AS MY KEYS WERE NOT TH…

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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BOB STALL CHEVROLET HERE IN LA MESA, CA. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR AN HOUR AND LIED TO ME AND AFTER WAITING WITH NO RESPONSE FOR AN HOUR, I WENT TO RETRIEVE MY CAR AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY $50 TO GET 3 KEYS AS MY KEYS WERE NOT THE RIGHT ONES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 13 YEARS AND HAVE USED THE KEYS GIVEN TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED AND I HAVE NEVER HAD DIFFERENT KEYS MADE. I RETRIEVED MY CAR AND KEYS AND CAME HOME. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE CALLED THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TWICE----BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK IN LESS THAN AN HOUR. I RECEIVED NO CALL BACKS. I THEN TRIED CALLING THE VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AND WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT AGENTS THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK BEFORE THE END OF BUSINESS. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A CALL BACK. IS THERE SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP ME? I AM A 72 YEAR OLD WIDOW AND HATE BEING FORCED TO DRIVE A CAR WITH SAFETY CONCERNS AND SINCE I ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES PER YEAR, I DON'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH BUT THAT REMAINS A POSSIBILITY SINCE NO ONE SEEMS ABLE TO HELP ME. THANK YOU AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648584

78,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER INSPECTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CONSOLE COVER WAS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V140000 (STRUCTURE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES SEVERAL TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10648399

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD INADVERTENTLY FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD INADVERTENTLY FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10644636

210,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE A PRIVATE MECHANIC RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASION…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE A PRIVATE MECHANIC RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643885

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2014
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10638014

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR TO DEACTIVATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR TO DEACTIVATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10637462

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HERNIATED DISK TO THE NECK AND INJURIES TO THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HERNIATED DISK TO THE NECK AND INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND HIP, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10633171

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

PURCHASED CAR IN 2002. CAR WOULD NOT START IN NOV OF 2004 SPENT 343.44 ON IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK AT BARR'S ELECTRICAL. CAR DID SAME THING IN SEPT OF 2012, SPENT 248.04 AGAIN AT BARR'S ELECTRIC ON ANOTHER IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. HAVE COMPLETE REPAIR STATEMENT AND RECEIPT IF NEEDED UPON REQUEST. STILL HAVE CAR. BUT DO NOT …

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PURCHASED CAR IN 2002. CAR WOULD NOT START IN NOV OF 2004 SPENT 343.44 ON IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK AT BARR'S ELECTRICAL. CAR DID SAME THING IN SEPT OF 2012, SPENT 248.04 AGAIN AT BARR'S ELECTRIC ON ANOTHER IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK. HAVE COMPLETE REPAIR STATEMENT AND RECEIPT IF NEEDED UPON REQUEST. STILL HAVE CAR. BUT DO NOT DRIVE DUE TO OTHER ISSUES NOT SURE ABOUT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608696

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.