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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

What owners actually said

279 reports
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

177,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START IN PARKING LOT OF A BUSINESS ON THURSDAY MORNING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IT FINALLY STARTED SO DROVE TO CADILLAC DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD IT'S MY KEY AND TO GO HOME AND USE MY OTHER KEY. AFRAID TO BE STRANDED, SO DID NOT GO ANYWHERE UNTIL SUNDAY. SUNDAY MORNING WENT TO AND FROM CHURCH FINE USING THE SECOND KEY, S…

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CAR WOULD NOT START IN PARKING LOT OF A BUSINESS ON THURSDAY MORNING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IT FINALLY STARTED SO DROVE TO CADILLAC DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD IT'S MY KEY AND TO GO HOME AND USE MY OTHER KEY. AFRAID TO BE STRANDED, SO DID NOT GO ANYWHERE UNTIL SUNDAY. SUNDAY MORNING WENT TO AND FROM CHURCH FINE USING THE SECOND KEY, SO THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. IN AFTERNOON, WANTED TO HEAD OUT OF TOWN, SO WENT TO GET GAS. AFTER FILLING MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. TRIED USING BOTH KEYS, NEITHER WOULD WORK. WAITED FOR 45-60 MINUTES, PERIODICALLY TRYING, WITH NO LUCK. WALKED HOME SINCE LIVE NEARBY. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, WALKED TO GAS STATION TO TRY MY CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STARTED, SO DROVE HOME. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. LOOKED UP GMC WEBSITE AND IT'S SAYING MY CAR IS NOT ON THE "RECALL" LIST, YET I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. ALSO, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO, WAS DRIVING IN CHICAGO. PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY TO LET MY DOG GO TO THE BATHROOM AND SUDDENLY FOUND MY REMOTE KEYS WOULD NOT WORK AND I COULD NOT GET INTO MY CAR!!! EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610242

180,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

THE CAR INITIALLY WOULD NOT START, GOOGLED HELP LEFT IN START POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES THEN STARTED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF MID TRAFFIC, THOUGHT IT WAS STOLEN. TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP PUT IN NEW PASSCODE KEY, TOLD IT WAS OK. LEFT DEALERSHIP CAR CUT OFF, TAKEN BACK, SAID IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS, HAS ALL OF THEN CHANGED. CAR C…

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THE CAR INITIALLY WOULD NOT START, GOOGLED HELP LEFT IN START POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES THEN STARTED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF MID TRAFFIC, THOUGHT IT WAS STOLEN. TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP PUT IN NEW PASSCODE KEY, TOLD IT WAS OK. LEFT DEALERSHIP CAR CUT OFF, TAKEN BACK, SAID IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS, HAS ALL OF THEN CHANGED. CAR CUT OFF, READ ON INTERNET THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ERROR. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REIMBURSE MONEY AND CAR CONTINUES TO NOT CRANK AT TIMES AND CUTS OFF, THINK IT IS STOLEN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD WITHOUT WARNING FUTURE DRIVERS. NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607057

90,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Electrical System

CAR SHUT OFF AND LOST POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKING DUE TO IGNITION FAILURE. CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ISSUE WAS FAULTY IGNITION AND WAS REPLACED BY LOCAL MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606581

78,000 miles · May 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, WOULD NOT START, SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING, TOOK TO SHOP COST 800.00 FOR NEW FUEL PUMP, THEN A MONTH LATER SAME DEAL COME TO FIND OUT IT: IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH HAVING TO DUE WITH THE SECURITY, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS ITS VERY DAN…

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CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, WOULD NOT START, SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING, TOOK TO SHOP COST 800.00 FOR NEW FUEL PUMP, THEN A MONTH LATER SAME DEAL COME TO FIND OUT IT: IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH HAVING TO DUE WITH THE SECURITY, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS ITS VERY DANGEROUS NOT TO MENTION THE 800.00 SPENT FOR A FUEL PUMP I GUESS I DIDN'T NEED. YOU CAN RESET IT. WORKS ONLY TEMP. LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OUT THEN GO STRAIGHT TO START, MOST THE TIME THIS WORKS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE CAR TO SHUT OFF AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH HAS HAPPEN TO US. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592167

173,988 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND IN ANY GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL U…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND IN ANY GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,988.

NHTSA ODI #10584498

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2014
Electrical System

CAR DOES NOT START AT RANDOM TIMES. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINS FOR THE CAR TO RESET ITS SELF. VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THEN PROCEED NOT TO START BACK UP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10583351

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

ATTEMPT TO START CAR AND IT WON'T START. TURNING THE KEY TO THE START POSITION AND LEAVING IT ON FOR 10 MINS. APPARENTLY THIS ALLOWS THE COMPUTER TO RESET. ALSO YOU CAN BE DRIVING THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SHUTS DOWN TOTAL. THIS IS A EXTREME DANGEROUS AND CAN GET SOME ONE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLER. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FI…

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ATTEMPT TO START CAR AND IT WON'T START. TURNING THE KEY TO THE START POSITION AND LEAVING IT ON FOR 10 MINS. APPARENTLY THIS ALLOWS THE COMPUTER TO RESET. ALSO YOU CAN BE DRIVING THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SHUTS DOWN TOTAL. THIS IS A EXTREME DANGEROUS AND CAN GET SOME ONE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLER. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED BUT IT STILL CONTINUES AND WE CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER EXPENSE. VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576148

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.