IllustrationTURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. *NM
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 →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
180–25K
2725–50K
4850–75K
4075–100K
28100–150K
22150K+
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
78 reportsI'M NOT FOR SURE IF YOUR INTERESTED IN THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT, BUT I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM OLDSMOBILE PERTAINING TO MY 2002 OLDS. ALERO THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TURNING SIGNAL AND/OR HAZARDS. THIS LETTER CAME FROM THEIR RECALL CENTER BUT IT STATED IN THE LETTER IT WASN'T A RECALL. WELL A COUPLE OF MONTHS PREV…
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I'M NOT FOR SURE IF YOUR INTERESTED IN THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT, BUT I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM OLDSMOBILE PERTAINING TO MY 2002 OLDS. ALERO THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TURNING SIGNAL AND/OR HAZARDS. THIS LETTER CAME FROM THEIR RECALL CENTER BUT IT STATED IN THE LETTER IT WASN'T A RECALL. WELL A COUPLE OF MONTHS PREVIOUSLY MY TURNING SIGNAL WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THEN IT WOULD WORK, STOP WORKING, WORK BUT NEVER FOR TOO LONG OF TIME. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE FINE FOR WEEKS THEN IT WOULD START UP AGAIN. WELL, AFTER I RECEIVED THIS LETTER I WAS FOR SURE THAT THIS LETTER PROBABLY PERTAINED TO MY PROBLEM AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE OLDS. DEALER IN VINCENNES, IN. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, THEY SAID THE TURN SIGNAL NEVER QUIT WORKING, WHICH I REPLIED ITS GOING TO BE A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE THAT IT WILL DO IT FOR YOU. I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR THERE FOR A MONTH FOR IT TO OCCUR FOR THEM TO CATCH IT, I JUST THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM WAS WHAT THE LETTER WAS REFERRING TO. HE STATED IF HE FIXED EVERYTHING THAT COULD POSSIBLE BE WRONG WITH THE TURN SIGNAL I WOULD HAVE A REPAIR BILL AS LONG AS HIS ARM. MY CONCERN IS I FEEL LIKE I COULD BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE TURN SIGNAL QUITS WORKING AGAIN OR GETTING A TICKET FOR NOT USING IT WHEN IT ACTUALLY FAILED. I'M KIND OF AT A LOSS OF WHAT I ACTUALLY CAN DO. I KNOW THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE PROBLEM THEY ARE REFERRING TO BECAUSE THEY REALLY DIDN'T EXPLAIN IN THE LETTER IT JUST SAID CONTACT YOUR OLDS DEALER, WHICH THEY WERE OF NO HELP. I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS AWARE OF THE LETTER SENT OUT AND HE SAID KIND OF. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *JB
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION INVOLVING FLICKERING OF TURN SIGNAL AT RANDOM. I WILL BE DRIVING AND HEAR THE FLASHER GO OFF ERRATICALLY. NO CONSEQUENCES EXCEPT A LOT OF ANNOYANCE FROM THE SOUND AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE FLASHER MYSELF. WILL SAVE OLD PART. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS FAILED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V327000, REGARDING THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS FAILED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V327000, REGARDING THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH.
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. AT 57,000 MILES TURN SIGNALS ARE OCCASIONALLY INOPERATIVE. FUSES WERE CHANGED AND THEY STILL FAIL ON OCCASION. IDENTICAL PROBLEMS RESULTED IN THE RECALLS OF THE 2000 AND 2001 OLDS ALEROS. UPON REVIEWING INTERNET WEB SITES I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER ALERO OWNERS WHOM ARE HAVING THE SAME PROB…
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2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. AT 57,000 MILES TURN SIGNALS ARE OCCASIONALLY INOPERATIVE. FUSES WERE CHANGED AND THEY STILL FAIL ON OCCASION. IDENTICAL PROBLEMS RESULTED IN THE RECALLS OF THE 2000 AND 2001 OLDS ALEROS. UPON REVIEWING INTERNET WEB SITES I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER ALERO OWNERS WHOM ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A TEMPORARY SOLUTION UNTIL THE HAZARD SWITCH CAN BE REPLACED IS TO SLAP THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE HAZARD SWITCH TO MAKE IT OPERABLE. THE INABILITY TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS OF THE INTENT TO CHANGE LANES, OR MAKE TURNS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK. I WOULD HAVE TO HIT THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THEN THE SIGNALS WOULD WORK. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE A NEW HAZARD SWITCH INSTALLED. *NM
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V327000, REGARDING THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB UPDATED 02/21/06. *JB
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKER BUT FAIL TO COME ON IN BACK OF VEHICLE, OR THEY JUST DON'T WORK AT ALL. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I MAY START OUT DRIVING AND THEY ARE FINE, THEN THEY COMPLETELY STOP WORKING, AND BY THE END OF THE TRIP THEY WORK AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WORK THE WHOLE TRIP, SOMETIMES NONE AT ALL. THERE IS NO RHYME…
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TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKER BUT FAIL TO COME ON IN BACK OF VEHICLE, OR THEY JUST DON'T WORK AT ALL. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I MAY START OUT DRIVING AND THEY ARE FINE, THEN THEY COMPLETELY STOP WORKING, AND BY THE END OF THE TRIP THEY WORK AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WORK THE WHOLE TRIP, SOMETIMES NONE AT ALL. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. *NM
MULTIPLE INTERMITTENT TURN-SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS IN 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SINCE PURCHASE IN 2003. MALFUNCTION CAN SOMETIMES BE CONTROLLED BY LIGHTLY PUSHING IN ON HAZARD WARNING SWITCH LOCATED ON DASH. *NM
THE TURN SIGNAL IS FLASHING IN AND OUT OF USE. SOMETIMES IT WORKS WHEN YOU TURN THE SIGNAL ON, AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING AFTER IT HAS STARTED WORKING, AND IT GOES OUT BEFORE THE TURN IS COMPLETED. THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH YET, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE SIGNAL STOPS WOR…
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THE TURN SIGNAL IS FLASHING IN AND OUT OF USE. SOMETIMES IT WORKS WHEN YOU TURN THE SIGNAL ON, AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING AFTER IT HAS STARTED WORKING, AND IT GOES OUT BEFORE THE TURN IS COMPLETED. THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH YET, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE SIGNAL STOPS WORKING. I HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE I THOUGHT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AND I WAS WAITING ON THE LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Official recalls
114V400000 · 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
1PE05055 · 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.