NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
279 reports96,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Electrical System
MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A START MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR, WHICH WERE TOLD TO ME WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START AT TIMES, AND WHENEVER IT DOES START, THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PUTS…
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MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A START MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR, WHICH WERE TOLD TO ME WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START AT TIMES, AND WHENEVER IT DOES START, THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN IN DANGER OF GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE THE CAR STOPS ABRUPTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275655
80,000 miles · May 6, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHERS DON'T WORK. SOMETIMES THEY WORK FINE, OTHER TIMES DO NOT. HAPPENS MORE AND MORE. SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES, WHEN FLASHING CAR WILL NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267831
150,000 miles · Apr 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE EVENT IS UNEXPECTED, THERE IS NOTHING DEFINITIVE THAT LEADS UP TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. ONCE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER JUST A FEW MINUTES; ANOTHER TIME I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO RESTART IT THEN IT SHUT DOWN AG…
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THE EVENT IS UNEXPECTED, THERE IS NOTHING DEFINITIVE THAT LEADS UP TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. ONCE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER JUST A FEW MINUTES; ANOTHER TIME I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO RESTART IT THEN IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN AFTER DRIVING 12 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. EACH TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE AND PLACED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC, IT DOESN'T SHOW A PROBLEM EXISTS, THEREFORE, TO DATE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS . THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY INJURY AT THIS TIME DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT IF THIS CONTINUES A SERIOUS OCCURRENCE IS INEVITABLE; I.E. LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265723
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2009
Exterior Lighting
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD MODULE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT TIMES. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENT AND A TIMES WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL, HOWEVER SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL THAT HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER QUA…
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2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD MODULE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT TIMES. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENT AND A TIMES WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL, HOWEVER SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL THAT HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER QUALIFIED FOR. RECALL # 03V327000. *JB UPDATED 03/01/10
NHTSA ODI #10263369
80,000 miles · Feb 17, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
I BOUGHT MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IN MAY OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT TIME, BUT I WAS ON MY OWN FROM THERE. FREQUENTLY I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING. I…
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I BOUGHT MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IN MAY OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT TIME, BUT I WAS ON MY OWN FROM THERE. FREQUENTLY I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK 6 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND A WEEK LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME IT THE BODY MODULE WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER I WAS CALLING THE TOW TRUCK AGAIN. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THIS TIME. THE NEXT TIME I THREATENED TO SUE THE MECHANIC WHO HAD WORKED ON MY CAR. THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THE MECHANIC. HE CONTACTED GM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE AND OF COURSE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP A FEW MORE TIMES THE MECHANIC FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN GM REPAIRS. THAT MECHANIC TOLD HIM ABOUT THE FAULTY SECURITY SYSTEM. HE PASSED ON THE INFO TO ME. IF THE CAR WON'T START, TURN THE KEY ON FOR 10 MIN. UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING, TURN THE KEY OFF, TAKE IT OUT OF THE IGNITION AND TRY IT AGAIN. THIS HAS WORKED EVERY TIME FOR ME, BUT REALLY, WHO HAS THE EXTRA 10-15 MINUTES TO SPARE EVERY TIME THEY NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE, JUST IN CASE THEIR CAR WON'T START? I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TURNING SIGNALS WORKING ONLY WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALERO OWNERS. AFTER THE NIGHTMARES I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND THE DISRESPECT SHOWN BY GM TO THEIR "VALUED CUSTOMERS", I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM MODEL AS LONG AS I LIVE! BUYER BEWARE!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258946
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2009
Exterior Lighting
MY TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO TURN ON SOME TIMES. I HAVE A 2002 ALERO AND I SEE A THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS A PE 05-055 WHERE THERE IS A RECALL. MY CAR HAS UNDER 50 000 KM. CAN I GET MINE CHANGED FOR FREE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258679
67,547 miles · Jan 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR 2002 ALERO WITH 67,500 MILES, COME TO FIND OUT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND IT IS A COMMON REPLACEMENT, DESIGN FLAW WITH GM VEHICLES EVEN THE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS. IS THERE A R-EMARKET REBATE FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT WILL VCOST ME ABOUT 700 TO FIX THE PROB…
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THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR 2002 ALERO WITH 67,500 MILES, COME TO FIND OUT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND IT IS A COMMON REPLACEMENT, DESIGN FLAW WITH GM VEHICLES EVEN THE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS. IS THERE A R-EMARKET REBATE FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT WILL VCOST ME ABOUT 700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256881
50,000 miles · Jan 14, 2009
Electrical System
A.. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING. REPLACED FUSES, RELAY BUT STILL DID NOT WORK. HAVING DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND OUT THAT A REAR CONNECTOR WILL MELT. LOOKED AT THE REAR CONNECTOR AND IT HAD MELTED. DEALER CHARGES $ 45 FOR A NEW CONNECTOR SO I HOT WIRED IT TO THE MODULE. IF THEY MELT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECA…
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A.. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING. REPLACED FUSES, RELAY BUT STILL DID NOT WORK. HAVING DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND OUT THAT A REAR CONNECTOR WILL MELT. LOOKED AT THE REAR CONNECTOR AND IT HAD MELTED. DEALER CHARGES $ 45 FOR A NEW CONNECTOR SO I HOT WIRED IT TO THE MODULE. IF THEY MELT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. B. THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE CAR WILL BE LOCKED DOWN. IF YOU SIT FOR 10 MINUTES WITH THE IGNITION ON BUT NOT STARTED THE SECURITY WILL RESET. LUCKILY FOR ME, THIS HAS NOT CAUSED ME ANY $, BUT I AM SURE OTHERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING. ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT THIS OPTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254977
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2008
Electrical System
SINCE 2006, ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND TWO TO THREE DAYS LATER THE SYSTEM LOCKS DOWN AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. I AM STRANDED AND HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $600-$800. TOWING FEES, TAXIS TO AND FROM WORK, AND USE OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS' CARS ARE ADDITIONAL E…
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SINCE 2006, ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND TWO TO THREE DAYS LATER THE SYSTEM LOCKS DOWN AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. I AM STRANDED AND HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $600-$800. TOWING FEES, TAXIS TO AND FROM WORK, AND USE OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS' CARS ARE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. I ONLY TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME A DIFFERENT FEATURE ON THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER REPEATEDLY TO DISMANTLE THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT. WHO IS GOING TO STEAL A 2002 ALERO? I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN IN TWO DIFFERENT COLLEGES. THIS ALERO IS OUR ONLY CAR. TO DATE I HAVE SPENT $3000 ON THIS "SOPHISTICATED" ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. HELP ME PLEASE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253268
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2008
Electrical System
TWO YEARS AGO, MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE ON MY SECURITY SYSTEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST MORE THAN $700. LAST FRIDAY, 11/14/2008, MY CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE SA…
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TWO YEARS AGO, MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE ON MY SECURITY SYSTEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST MORE THAN $700. LAST FRIDAY, 11/14/2008, MY CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME GM DEALER AGAIN AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? AND NOW, AGAIN, THIS WILL COST ANOTHER $700 TO FIX, IF THAT IS ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED BEFORE WHEN THE COMPUTER MODULE WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME SINCE I HAD MY CAR AT HOME WHEN THIS BCM WENT OUT. THE BCM ONLY HAS A YEAR WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248976
Official recalls
1Jul 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 ↗