NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
12 reportsClear category filter215,015 miles · Apr 13, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND WHITE SMOKE OR MIST EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND WHITE SMOKE OR MIST EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A RADIATOR SPECIALIST, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,015. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10855261
96,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10453859
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STALLED TWICE ON THE ROAD WHILE TRYING TO MAKE LEFT TURN. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM ON BOTH OCCASIONS. UPDATED 04/15/11
NHTSA ODI #10391939
80,000 miles · Sep 24, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
I USED MY HORN TO LET SOMEONE KNOW THAT THEY WERE IN MY LANE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HORN WAS STUCK. THE WINDOW CLIPS ON MY CAR BROKE OFF, AS I HAVE READ OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS OF OTHER 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO OWNERS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS DEFECTS OF THESE TWO PARTS, AND GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THESE PROBLEM…
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I USED MY HORN TO LET SOMEONE KNOW THAT THEY WERE IN MY LANE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HORN WAS STUCK. THE WINDOW CLIPS ON MY CAR BROKE OFF, AS I HAVE READ OF THESE SAME COMPLAINTS OF OTHER 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO OWNERS. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS DEFECTS OF THESE TWO PARTS, AND GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. DUE TO THAT FACT, I AM UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE MY CAR HAS TO HAVE A WORKING HORN AND MY WINDOW MUST BE ABLE TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. ALSO A THIRD COMPLAINT, THERE IS NOW COOLANT THAT IS STARTING TO LEAK INTO MY OIL, WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND COULD CAUSE A FIRE!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285185
43,000 miles · Jul 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
OLDSMOBILE ALERO DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276056
58,000 miles · Dec 31, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A TIRE ROTATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. THE INTAKE GASKET AND SEALS IN THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST.…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A TIRE ROTATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. THE INTAKE GASKET AND SEALS IN THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,184 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #10253344
95,000 miles · Apr 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
MY LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING JUST AS IS POPULAR ON THESE TYPES OF ENGINES. ALSO MY TURN SIGNAL IS WORKING OFF AND ON. I HAVE SENT LETTERS TO GM WITH NO RESPONSE OR SUCCESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223520
75,000 miles · May 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
OUR 2003 OLDS ALERO GL 4-DR WITH 3.4L V-6 AND 75,000 MILES HAD A BLOWN INTAKE GASKET. WE WERE HAVING TO ADD COOLANT TO THE CAR ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AND FIGURED WE HAD SOME KIND OF A LEAK IN THE RESERVOIR. IT BEGAN TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE, WHICH WAS WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR CAR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT …
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OUR 2003 OLDS ALERO GL 4-DR WITH 3.4L V-6 AND 75,000 MILES HAD A BLOWN INTAKE GASKET. WE WERE HAVING TO ADD COOLANT TO THE CAR ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AND FIGURED WE HAD SOME KIND OF A LEAK IN THE RESERVOIR. IT BEGAN TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE, WHICH WAS WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR CAR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT COOLANT HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE ,AND WILL NOW HAVE TO SPEND $1300 TO REPLACE THE GASKET. THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190600
42,925 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2003 ALERO IGNITION SHORTED CAUSING CONSUMER NOT BE ABLE TO START VEHICLE, ALSO FOUND A LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *TS THE PASSLOCK SENSOR IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER SHORTED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE INTAKE GASKETS AND OIL DRIVE O-RING LEAKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, RO…
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2003 ALERO IGNITION SHORTED CAUSING CONSUMER NOT BE ABLE TO START VEHICLE, ALSO FOUND A LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *TS THE PASSLOCK SENSOR IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER SHORTED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE INTAKE GASKETS AND OIL DRIVE O-RING LEAKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ROCKER COVER GASKETS AND OIL PUMP DRIVESHAFT COVER SEAL. THE AIR BAG COVER WARPED. THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS WRINKLED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAN WAS PEELING FROM IT'S BACKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY AND TRANSFERRED ALL COMPONENTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148670
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS RECALL AT ALL. I WAS ON MY COMPUTER AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE INFORMATION. MY SON AND I ARE CO-OWNER OF THIS CAR, AND WE HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD ABOUT ANY RECALLS FOR THE CAR. I USE MY CAR TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM FIX. PLEASE HELP ME
NHTSA ODI #10121121
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗
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