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2002 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

183 reports with mileage · 96 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 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

133 reports
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67,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHILE MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING TURNED IN THE IGNITION. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. THE DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHILE MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING TURNED IN THE IGNITION. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638849

75,000 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BLACK EYE AND BLOODY NOSE FROM THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG. THERE WAS NO MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BLACK EYE AND BLOODY NOSE FROM THE IMPACT OF THE AIR BAG. THERE WAS NO MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638375

185,000 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD AT 45 MPH AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN THE CAR STARTED UP. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, A COUPLE DAYS LATER, WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT 30 MPH. A COUPLE DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE CAR SHUT DOWN THREE TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD AT 45 MPH AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN THE CAR STARTED UP. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, A COUPLE DAYS LATER, WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT 30 MPH. A COUPLE DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE CAR SHUT DOWN THREE TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC (6/4/2014), THEY REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR. ($395.58). A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THE CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START. IT CRANKED OVER, BUT WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC (6/13/2024), THIS TIME THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION STARTER SWITCH ($289.62). A MONTH LATER, THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AND AGAIN WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC (8/25/2014) AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ($194.09.) NOW I AM CROSSING MY FINGERS THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. LOOK AT THE WEBSITE CAR COMPLAINTS.COM AND YOU WILL SEE NUMEROUS POSTINGS FROM PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE FIRST INCIDENTS OF THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE RECENT INCIDENTS ARE INCONVENIENT. GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE ISSUES. IT APPEARS FROM OTHER USERS THAT AS THE CAR GETS OLDER WITH MORE MILES, THESE ELECTRICAL/SENSOR ISSUES ARE BECOMING MORE PREVALENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637819

27,363 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON DOWNTOWN STREET. TOW WAS NECESSARY. IGNITION SENSORY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED RECALL FOR THIS TODAY GM #14350. I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE DIRECTIONS IN THE CASE THAT I ALREADY MADE REPAIR. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS. I HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR. HOW DO I GET R…

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MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON DOWNTOWN STREET. TOW WAS NECESSARY. IGNITION SENSORY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED RECALL FOR THIS TODAY GM #14350. I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE DIRECTIONS IN THE CASE THAT I ALREADY MADE REPAIR. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS. I HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR. HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED. PHONE #'S ARE ALWAYS BUSY...THAT'S WHY I'M TRYING FOR INFORMATION HERE. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633307

180,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632808

100,200 miles · Aug 28, 2014
Electrical System

KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ANTI THEFT SYSTEM CAR WONT START, SAFETY SYSTEM WONT ALLOW, REPAIRS CAN BE MAID AT DEALER FOR 500. NO LONG TERM FIX. ONLINE PEOPLE SAY HAD REPAIR TO HAVE PROBLEM HAPPEN OVER AND OVER, DEALER RECHARGES FOR REPAIR EACH TIME KNOWING ITS A DEFECT IN ANTI THEFT. CAR WILL STRAND U CAUSE GM REFUSES TO RECALL DEFECTED…

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KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ANTI THEFT SYSTEM CAR WONT START, SAFETY SYSTEM WONT ALLOW, REPAIRS CAN BE MAID AT DEALER FOR 500. NO LONG TERM FIX. ONLINE PEOPLE SAY HAD REPAIR TO HAVE PROBLEM HAPPEN OVER AND OVER, DEALER RECHARGES FOR REPAIR EACH TIME KNOWING ITS A DEFECT IN ANTI THEFT. CAR WILL STRAND U CAUSE GM REFUSES TO RECALL DEFECTED SYSTEM PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629200

130,000 miles · Aug 23, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR A WHILE! ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO I GET IN MY CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WORK AND GUESS WHAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I WAITED AND IT STILL DID NOT START. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND THEY TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT STARTED 10 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SO FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS…

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I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR A WHILE! ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO I GET IN MY CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WORK AND GUESS WHAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND I WAITED AND IT STILL DID NOT START. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND THEY TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND IT STARTED 10 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SO FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS IT HAS DROVE FINE. WELL LAST MONDAY MORNING IT DID IT AGAIN WOULD NOT START SO I HAD TO MISS WORK AND CALL A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. I JUST PAID 430.00 TO PUT A CAM SENSOR IN AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE RUNNING. I PUT A NEW ANTI THEFT LOCK SYSTEM IN AROUND 2011. I SEE MY CAR IS ONE THAT IS IN A RECALL AND I HOPE THEY CAN GET THIS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627771

152,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR TO HEAD HOME ON AN HOUR DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT START, NO CRANKING OF ANY KIND OR POWER TO THE STARTER OR STARTER SOLENOID. ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER AS I WAITED FOR MY RIDE TO ARRIVE AND STILL NOTHING. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORKED, EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED BUT THE CAR SIMPLY …

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I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR TO HEAD HOME ON AN HOUR DRIVE. IT WOULD NOT START, NO CRANKING OF ANY KIND OR POWER TO THE STARTER OR STARTER SOLENOID. ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER AS I WAITED FOR MY RIDE TO ARRIVE AND STILL NOTHING. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORKED, EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED BUT THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START. AFTER READING EVERY OTHER COMPLAINT AND REVIEW THIS ISSUE IS CONCURRENT WITH THE THEFT ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE SUFFERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617612

86,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SW…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615377

90,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10614983

Official recalls

1

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.

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

PE05055 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Sep 27, 2005 · Closed Jan 13, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.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 LATE APRIL 2006.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

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.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 LATE APRIL 2006.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

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.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 LATE APRIL 2006.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.