IllustrationBATTERY EXPLODED, CAUSING ACID TO LEAK ONTO POSITIVE TERMINAL. . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
What owners actually said
462 reportsROTORS WARPED, VIOLENT SHAKING ON HARD BRAKING. DESPITE RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN (00-05-23-002) OLDS REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY - CONSIDERS "WEAR" RATHER THAN DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN. OLDS POLICY CHANGED FROM FULL 36,000 MI. COVERAGE OF THIS REPAIR (ROTOR REPLACEMENT) TO 12 MO. WARRANTY DUE TO NUMBER OF REPAIRS BEING MADE…
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ROTORS WARPED, VIOLENT SHAKING ON HARD BRAKING. DESPITE RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN (00-05-23-002) OLDS REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY - CONSIDERS "WEAR" RATHER THAN DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN. OLDS POLICY CHANGED FROM FULL 36,000 MI. COVERAGE OF THIS REPAIR (ROTOR REPLACEMENT) TO 12 MO. WARRANTY DUE TO NUMBER OF REPAIRS BEING MADE.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ABS SENOR LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE WITHOUT BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRUNCHING NOISE FROM BRAKES BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RELACED, CONSUMER ALSO STATED TH…
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ABS SENOR LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE WITHOUT BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRUNCHING NOISE FROM BRAKES BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RELACED, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT POWER STEERING WAS NOISEY.*JB
DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE UNLESS DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED.*AK
SUN ROOF ASSEMBY FAILED, REQUIRED 3 MONTHS TO REPLACE/REPAIR. BRAKE PADS REPLACED ON ALL 4 WHEELS AT LOW MILEAGE. SEAT BELT ON DRIVER LATCH IS LOOSE ON SEAT BELT. REAR SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. BATTERY LEAKED CAUSING FAILURE TO START, BATTERY REPLACED, BUT NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE CHECKED BY DEALER.
THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER 60, THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GMC TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT ENTIRE WHEEL CAME OFF THE AXLE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH, THERE WERE TWO INJURIES. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC
ROTORS REFACED AND PADS REPLACED WITH ONLY 22500 MILES ON VEHICLE (ALL AT MY EXPENSE). I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT ROTORS HAVE TO BE REFACED WITH ONLY 22K MILES ON A VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ASKED 4 1/2 MONTHS AGO TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THEIR IDEA OF CHECKING THE BRAKES CONSISTED OF DRIVING THE CAR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T SHOW THEM …
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ROTORS REFACED AND PADS REPLACED WITH ONLY 22500 MILES ON VEHICLE (ALL AT MY EXPENSE). I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT ROTORS HAVE TO BE REFACED WITH ONLY 22K MILES ON A VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ASKED 4 1/2 MONTHS AGO TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THEIR IDEA OF CHECKING THE BRAKES CONSISTED OF DRIVING THE CAR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T SHOW THEM THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM ARISING WITH THE ROTORS. FURTHERMORE AFTER READING MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS NOT TELLING US ABOUT. LETS HOPE NO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*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.