Illustration2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - TURN SIGNAL ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *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
What owners actually said
279 reportsDT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK WHEN TURNING IT ON. WHEN APPLYING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH THE TURN SIGNAL CAME ON. THEN, IT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL 03V327000 ON OTHER YEAR MODELS, BUT THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT OFFER HEL…
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DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK WHEN TURNING IT ON. WHEN APPLYING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH THE TURN SIGNAL CAME ON. THEN, IT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL 03V327000 ON OTHER YEAR MODELS, BUT THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. DEALER SAID THEY WILL NOT OFFER HELP, IT SHOULD BE FIXED AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE PROBLEM IS FREQUENT BUT NOT CONSTANT. THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE HAZARD BUTTON IS PARTIALLY PRESSED THE SIGNAL STARTS WORKING. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASHBOARD AREA BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE 2001 MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT THE 2000 HAS NOT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY ALERO AND HAZARD FLASHERS QUIT WORKING, AND THEN RESTART. SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. *JB
THE TURN SIGNAL / HAZARD SWITCH WENT OUT ON MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THIS CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS NOT TO OPERATE AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED ON A HIGHLY TRAVELED ROAD WITH A CHILD IN THE CAR. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY HAVING THE PART REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE DUE TO SHOP THROWING IT OUT. *JB
DT: 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE SWITCH ALSO CONTROLS THE TURN SIGNALS, AND THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT PUSHED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT OLDSMOBILE TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. …
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DT: 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE SWITCH ALSO CONTROLS THE TURN SIGNALS, AND THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT PUSHED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT OLDSMOBILE TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR, AND IT WAS FIXED AT THAT TIME. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED, NOT AT A DEALERSHIP.*AK
TURN SIGNALS / HAZARD LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK ON OCCASION. PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING THIS SUMMER ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AFTER HAVING SOME BRAKE WORK PERFORMED. PROBLEM IS THOUGHT BY ME TO BE A SEPARATE ISSUE WITH A FAILURE OF A SOLENOID. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. I AM ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN, B…
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TURN SIGNALS / HAZARD LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK ON OCCASION. PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING THIS SUMMER ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AFTER HAVING SOME BRAKE WORK PERFORMED. PROBLEM IS THOUGHT BY ME TO BE A SEPARATE ISSUE WITH A FAILURE OF A SOLENOID. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONSEQUENCES AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. I AM ABLE TO GET THE LIGHT WORKING AGAIN, BY EITHER REPEATED QUICK PUSHES OF THE HAZARD LIGHTS OR A QUICK POUND JUST LEFT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. I AM PLANNING ON BRINGING THIS ISSUE UP AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNLESS THE LIGHTS FAIL ALTOGETHER. *NM
FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS I'VE HAD TROUBLE TURNING THE KEY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE. TWO DAYS AGO I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. I CANNOT GET THE KEY TO TURN THE SLIGHTEST BIT. I BOUGHT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH IN HOPES THAT THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNAL FLASHERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES ARE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT SAW OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNAL FLASHERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES ARE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT SAW OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V327000 DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS FOR TWELVE MONTHS. THE CONTACT MOVED FROM A WARM WEATHER CLIMATE TO A FOUR SEASON CLIMATE, AND THAT WAS WHEN HE BEGAN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT WENT AWAY UP UNTIL THE WEATHER BEGAN TO CHANGE. *AK *NM
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. THE TURN SIGNALS WORKE D INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED ON AUGUST 15, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE REPAIR DONE. MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 03043 WAS ISSUED FOR EARLIER YEAR MODELS. *AK
TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 60K MILES. DESTROYED VALVES. ALSO IGNITION SWITCH BROKE AT 45K MILES. *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.