IllustrationIGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE IS MAKING ME CRAZY I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS ABOUT THIS AND AM TOLD THIS IS COMMON WHERE IS THE RECALL! I AM TIRED OF MISSING WORK DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL BE THE LAST G.M. CAR I WILL EVER OWN.*AK
2001 Oldsmobile Alero
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 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
220–25K
4625–50K
5650–75K
2475–100K
45100–150K
21150K+
214 reports with mileage · 150 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
364 reportsMY CAR WILL START AND NOT FOLLOW THROUGH...I CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW HORRIBLE THIS IS...I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN THAT NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL AND I HAD TO QUIT MY JOB BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT RELIABLE...IS THERE NOTHING GM COULD DO ABOUT THIS...PLEASE I AM BEGGING FOR ANYTHING...I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO FIX MY CAR AND IT I…
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MY CAR WILL START AND NOT FOLLOW THROUGH...I CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW HORRIBLE THIS IS...I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN THAT NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL AND I HAD TO QUIT MY JOB BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT RELIABLE...IS THERE NOTHING GM COULD DO ABOUT THIS...PLEASE I AM BEGGING FOR ANYTHING...I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO FIX MY CAR AND IT IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, JUST LIKE IT HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS...I NEED HELP... *TR
I GOT CAR ON 2/28/07 NEW BRAKES ROTORS AND TIRES WERE PUT ON CAR. NOW I HAVE A LOUD SQUEAL AND GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND BRAKE PEDAL AN THE WARNING SIGNAL SAYS SERVICE VEHICLE SOON TRACTION OFF AND ANTILOCK BRAKE. I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED, BUT THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
TOP OF DASH IS WRINKLING AND COMING APART. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER ALEROS ALSO. I KNOW THIS IS AN APPEARANCE PROBLEM ,BUT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM. WILL IT AFFECT THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG IN THE DASH IF PEELING REACHES THE AREA?*AK
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, TRAC OFF LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT TOOK TO DEALER, OUT OF WARRANTY, PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, COST-$500, GRINDING NOISE BEFORE LIGHTS TURNED ON, DINGING,LIGHTS WENT ON, IT WAS SENSOR IN LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. ALSO HAVE REPLACED FRONT ROTORS, ALTERNATOR AT 65,000 MILES. KEY FOB DOESN''T LOCK DRIVERS DOOR. HOOD ON …
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SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, TRAC OFF LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT TOOK TO DEALER, OUT OF WARRANTY, PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, COST-$500, GRINDING NOISE BEFORE LIGHTS TURNED ON, DINGING,LIGHTS WENT ON, IT WAS SENSOR IN LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. ALSO HAVE REPLACED FRONT ROTORS, ALTERNATOR AT 65,000 MILES. KEY FOB DOESN''T LOCK DRIVERS DOOR. HOOD ON CAR REPLACED IN 2006 UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF BLISTERING 2002-WATER LEAK ONTO DRIVERS FLOOR, 5 TIMES TO DEALER, REPLACED SIDE DOOR GASKET, PROBLEM HAD TO BE SOLVED BY REPLACING WINDSHIELD GASKET. I'M AFRAID OF ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ABOUT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AND HAZARD LIGHT FAILURE AND THE CAR JUST QUITTING. TRADING IN THIS PIECE OF **** AS SOON AS PAID OFF. *JB
I WAS SWITCHING LANES AND FLASHED MY TURN SIGNAL TO SWITCH LANE. WHEN I LET GO OF THE TURN SIGNAL, THE RELAY BEHIND THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON STARTED TO CLICK LIKE THE TURN SIGNAL WAS STILL ON. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT CLICK AND IS NOT CONSISTENT. SOMETIMES IT CLICKS FAST AND SOMETIMES IT CLICKS SLOW. I FOUND RECALL 03V327000 A…
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I WAS SWITCHING LANES AND FLASHED MY TURN SIGNAL TO SWITCH LANE. WHEN I LET GO OF THE TURN SIGNAL, THE RELAY BEHIND THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON STARTED TO CLICK LIKE THE TURN SIGNAL WAS STILL ON. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT CLICK AND IS NOT CONSISTENT. SOMETIMES IT CLICKS FAST AND SOMETIMES IT CLICKS SLOW. I FOUND RECALL 03V327000 AND THOUGHT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THIS RECALL AND THE CLICK IS STILL OCCURRING. I HAVE READ THAT THERE HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCHES IN OTHER GM VEHICLES WHICH CAUSES A CLICKING OF THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON. ALSO, THE KEY IS GETTING WARM WHEN IT IS IN THE IGNITION. I AM AFRAID THIS CONSTANT CLICKING OF THE RELAY WILL CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS FROM WORKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
CONSUMER'S 2001 OLDS ALERO HAS IGINITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *CC *NM
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - DEFECTIVE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM: I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM KEEPS PERIODICALLY BELIEVING THAT THE CAR IS BEING "STOLEN" AND SHUTS THE CAR DOWN. MOST TIMES, YOU CAN'T GET THE IGNITION KEY TO EVEN TURN IN THE IGNITION. …
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2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - DEFECTIVE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM: I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM KEEPS PERIODICALLY BELIEVING THAT THE CAR IS BEING "STOLEN" AND SHUTS THE CAR DOWN. MOST TIMES, YOU CAN'T GET THE IGNITION KEY TO EVEN TURN IN THE IGNITION. AT OTHER TIMES, THE STARTER JUST TURNS OVER BUT WON'T CRANK. NOT TO MENTION THAT EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE EXPENSE INVOLVED IN HAVING TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING YOUR CAR RUNNING FINE ONE MOMENT AND SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, HAVING YOUR CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. OLDSMOBILE, GM, OR SOMEBODY NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS DEFECTIVE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. *JB
HORN MAY OR MAY NOT SOUND WHEN BUTTON DEPRESSED. PROBLEM IS RANDOM. I HAVE INSPECTED FUSE, SWAPPED HORN RELAY WITH A KNOWN GOOD UNIT OF SAME AMPERAGE, AND CHECKED CONNECTION AT THE HORN ITSELF. BUTTON FOR HORN IN CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL IS APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM. HORN SOUNDS ROUGHLY HALF THE TIME WHEN BUTTON DEPRESSED. *NM
CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES SO FAR. I HAVE SPEND OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON PARTS ALONE, AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR I NEW FUEL PUMP.(ANOTHER $450) I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF THE SOMETHING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND NO RECALL. IT WOULD REALLY HELP TO HAVE A RECALL TO SAVE PEOPLE THEIR…
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CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES SO FAR. I HAVE SPEND OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON PARTS ALONE, AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP FOR I NEW FUEL PUMP.(ANOTHER $450) I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF THE SOMETHING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND NO RECALL. IT WOULD REALLY HELP TO HAVE A RECALL TO SAVE PEOPLE THEIR HARD EARN MONEY ON A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BEFORE THE CAR WAS SOLD. I HAVE BEEN LATE TO WORK MANY TIMES, HAD TO CATCH BUSES, AND WALK MANY MILES BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE PAID OVER $300 ON RIDES TO AND FROM WORK JUST SO I CAN PAY FOR PARTS FOR THE CAR TO ONLY RUN FOR A WEEK. SO PLEASE CAN YOU HAVE A RECALL ISSUED SO ME AND COUNTLESS OTHER CAN HAVE THE GOOD RUNNING CAR WE ALL PAY FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU JARVIS JOYNER. *NM
Official recalls
414V400000 · 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.
03V327000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
Aug 28, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
Jul 15, 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
00V372000 · Power Train:manual Transmission
Nov 13, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (RPO M86) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO REVERSE, A SHIFT INHIBITOR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE MECHANICALLY IN 4TH GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATES REVERSE GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.
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
3EA02037 · Turn Signal Failures
Opened Dec 23, 2002 · Closed Sep 5, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA02028 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Dec 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
SQ01002 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Jan 26, 2001 · Closed Sep 30, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available