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2003 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 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

128 reports with mileage · 56 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 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

103 reports
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85,000 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Electrical System

CAME OUT AFTER WORK TO START MY CAR AND TURNED THE KEY AND GOT NOTHING. HAD THE CAR TOWED BEFORE I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM IN THIS MODEL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND A CALL TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES THEN TURN IT OFF AND STAR…

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CAME OUT AFTER WORK TO START MY CAR AND TURNED THE KEY AND GOT NOTHING. HAD THE CAR TOWED BEFORE I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM IN THIS MODEL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND A CALL TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES THEN TURN IT OFF AND START THE CAR. WHICH WORKED BUT AT SUB ZERO TEMPS. THIS IS NOT A VERY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION. AND AS THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY NOW IT IS NOT WHAT I PAID FOR. THE WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BCS. I WAS TOLD IT LEAKED AND WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND WHEN THAT DIDN'T SOLVE IT THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED TWICE AND TO NO AVAIL IT STILL DOESN'T START AS IT SHOULD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255802

80,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Electrical System

FIRST PROBLEM: MY HORN DECIDED TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AT 3AM, FINALLY HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE NOISE. I KEEP THE FUSE WITH ME, BUT NOW I HAVE NO HORN AND IT IS NOT SAFE, HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. SECOND PROBLEM: TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK AT INCONVENIENT TIMES. FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT IF I TURN ON MY HAZARD…

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FIRST PROBLEM: MY HORN DECIDED TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AT 3AM, FINALLY HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE NOISE. I KEEP THE FUSE WITH ME, BUT NOW I HAVE NO HORN AND IT IS NOT SAFE, HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. SECOND PROBLEM: TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK AT INCONVENIENT TIMES. FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT IF I TURN ON MY HAZARDS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN TURN THEM OFF, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK AGAIN PROPERLY. THIRD PROBLEM: SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS, THEY FINALLY TOLD ME TO JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND ONCE THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OFF THE CAR WILL START. THESE ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255322

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH 48,000 MILES. AND I HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE. SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO PUT TURN SIGNAL ON, IT WON'T WORK. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WITH NO NOTICE. I OFTEN GET HONKED AT FOR NOT USING MY TURN SIGNAL, WHEN I HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF DOING SO, THEY JUST …

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I HAVE A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH 48,000 MILES. AND I HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE. SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO PUT TURN SIGNAL ON, IT WON'T WORK. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WITH NO NOTICE. I OFTEN GET HONKED AT FOR NOT USING MY TURN SIGNAL, WHEN I HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF DOING SO, THEY JUST WON'T WORK. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I START MY CAR, THE DIALS DO NOT COME ON AUTOMATICALLY. THEY ALL REMAIN ON ZERO. IT HAS EVEN TAKEN UP TO 5 MINUTES FOR MY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TO REGISTER THAT I HAVE STARTED THE CAR. ALSO, AT TIMES MY AIR CONDITIONER WILL JUST STOP BLOWING. IT COMES BACK ON IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT IT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEN IT WILL FINALLY REMAIN ON. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH OTHER BUT I CAN'T BE ABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY ARE RELATED, I JUST KNOW THEY ALL HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245798

129,000 miles · Oct 9, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSuspension

PURCHASED VEHICLE AUGUST 2003 AT 29,000 MILES. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING BAD JUST INSIDE WARRANTY TIME - UNDER 36,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER, FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD - NOT IN WARRANTY. NOW AT 129,000 MILES, FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS BAD AGAIN. NOT USING OEM EQUIPMENT THIS TIME AS IT ISN'T COST EFFECTIVE TO PAY FOR …

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PURCHASED VEHICLE AUGUST 2003 AT 29,000 MILES. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING BAD JUST INSIDE WARRANTY TIME - UNDER 36,000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER, FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD - NOT IN WARRANTY. NOW AT 129,000 MILES, FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING IS BAD AGAIN. NOT USING OEM EQUIPMENT THIS TIME AS IT ISN'T COST EFFECTIVE TO PAY FOR OEM EQUIPMENT - WHEN IT OBVIOUSLY LACKS QUALITY. I'M ASSUMING MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WILL GO BAD SOON - BETTER START SAVING FOR THAT REPAIR! NEXT ISSUE - HORN BLOWS WITHOUT PROVOCATION AND WILL NOT STOP - 3:00 IN THE MORNING. NEXT ISSUE: FUEL ISSUE, WHERE YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES THEN CAR WILL START. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT USUALLY WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE THE EXTRA 10 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244931

100,000 miles · Aug 4, 2008
Electrical System

I HAD THE CAR SINCE NOV 2003. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL JULY 2008 WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING. I JUST SAT THERE IN THE CAR UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME, SO I JUST CRANK THE CAR UP AND IT CRANK I WAS LIKE OK. THEN ANOTHER DAY IT DID THE SAME THING AND IT CRANK UP. THEN THE THIRD TIME IT DI…

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I HAD THE CAR SINCE NOV 2003. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL JULY 2008 WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING. I JUST SAT THERE IN THE CAR UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME, SO I JUST CRANK THE CAR UP AND IT CRANK I WAS LIKE OK. THEN ANOTHER DAY IT DID THE SAME THING AND IT CRANK UP. THEN THE THIRD TIME IT DID IT NOW IT WONT CRANK UP. I WAS WONDERING WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236802

30,000 miles · Jun 25, 2008
Electrical SystemTires

BOUGHT CAR IN 2006, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED VEHICLE. CAR DOES NOT CRANK, MUST WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO RESTART. SOMETIMES CAR DOES NOT START STILL, MAKES ME WAIT ANOTHER 10 MIN. HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SYSTEM KILLING THE BATTERY WHILE WAITING - ESPECIALLY IN WINTER, EVEN WITH ALL EXTRAS (INCLUDING HEAT)…

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BOUGHT CAR IN 2006, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED VEHICLE. CAR DOES NOT CRANK, MUST WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO RESTART. SOMETIMES CAR DOES NOT START STILL, MAKES ME WAIT ANOTHER 10 MIN. HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SYSTEM KILLING THE BATTERY WHILE WAITING - ESPECIALLY IN WINTER, EVEN WITH ALL EXTRAS (INCLUDING HEAT) TURNED OFF. NOT SAFE TO HAVE FEMALE IN PARKING LOT WHEN CAR DOES NOT START! THIS HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES SOME DAYS, THEN WILL NOT REAPPEAR FOR A WEEK OR TWO, BUT THEFT LIGHT STAYS ON DASH CONSTANTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232253

69,833 miles · Jan 10, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214460

55,000 miles · Dec 6, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE DEALER COVERED THE COST OF THE FIRST REPAIR AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE LAST TWO REPAIRS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE YET TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE DEALER COVERED THE COST OF THE FIRST REPAIR AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE LAST TWO REPAIRS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE YET TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,308.

NHTSA ODI #10210993

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2007
Electrical System

BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL…

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BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL HAS ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SECURITY SYSTEM CONFLICTING WITH WIRELESS INTERNET RADIO WAVES. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE MECHANIC. SOON AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN:I READ ON A AUTOMOTIVE FORUM TO PUT KEY ON THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WAIT FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND THEN START THE CAR (SHOULD WORK IT STATED) IT WORKED HOWEVER IT IS NOW SOMETIMES A DAILY PROBLEM. I NOW ALLOW 10 MINUTES LEWAY IN DEPARTURE TO ALLOW FOR THIS AGGRAVATING PROBLEM TO ARISE. THIS PROBLEM IS A HIGH SECURITY ISSUE NOT SAFE TO BE STRANDED WITH SINGLE MOM WITH KIDS IN PARKING LOTS AND AS WELL AS BEING OUT TO TOWN. HAS CAUSED TO MISS WORK. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND NOT SURE HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM, THE HORN HAS BEEN SOUNDING OFF (AS IT IT STUCK POSITION) FOR THE LAST WEEK 11/12/2007WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER OCCURRENCE 11/16/07 PARK POSITION KEY NOT IN THE IGNITION AT 2:00AM IN A APARTMENT COMPLEX. TO QUICK RESOLVE ISSUE I TAPPED THE HORN ON STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN, THEN HAD ROOMMATE DISARM THE HORN WIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209586

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2007
Electrical System

BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL…

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BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL HAS ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SECURITY SYSTEM CONFLICTING WITH WIRELESS INTERNET RADIO WAVES. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE MECHANIC. SOON AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN:I READ ON A AUTOMOTIVE FORUM TO PUT KEY ON THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WAIT FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND THEN START THE CAR (SHOULD WORK IT STATED) IT WORKED HOWEVER IT IS NOW SOMETIMES A DAILY PROBLEM. I NOW ALLOW 10 MINUTES LEWAY IN DEPARTURE TO ALLOW FOR THIS AGGRAVATING PROBLEM TO ARISE. THIS PROBLEM IS A HIGH SECURITY ISSUE NOT SAFE TO BE STRANDED WITH SINGLE MOM WITH KIDS IN PARKING LOTS AND AS WELL AS BEING OUT TO TOWN. HAS CAUSED TO MISS WORK. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND NOT SURE HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM, THE HORN HAS BEEN SOUNDING OFF (AS IT IT STUCK POSITION) FOR THE LAST WEEK 11/12/2007WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER OCCURRENCE 11/16/07 PARK POSITION KEY NOT IN THE IGNITION AT 2:00AM IN A APARTMENT COMPLEX. TO QUICK RESOLVE ISSUE I TAPPED THE HORN ON STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN, THEN HAD ROOMMATE DISARM THE HORN WIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209198

Official recalls

2

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.

04V528000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Nov 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.