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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.

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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

Service Brakes complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. ONE ISSUE BEING IT WOULD NOT START. I LET THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM LOOK AT IT AND HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT HE USUALLY DEALS WITH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION…

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UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. ONE ISSUE BEING IT WOULD NOT START. I LET THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM LOOK AT IT AND HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT HE USUALLY DEALS WITH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTED GOING OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY ONE DAY AND NOW THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE IS THAT OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, FORCING ME TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE CAR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE TURNING SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER 7PM THROUGH 8AM I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET THE SIGNALS TO TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T WORK IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689505

138,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640527

125,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639807

57,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASION…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AND THE DRIVER HAD TO BRAKE HARD IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVING THROUGH A GARAGE WALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR ONLY STICKS ON HOT AND HUMID DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 8/714. UPDATED 3/30/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616057

28,130 miles · Jun 17, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

CAR HAS REPEATEDLY SHUT OFF AT SPEED, SOMETIMES RESTARTING, TWICE NEEDING TO BE TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598824

93,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Air BagsEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING BUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF CONSTANT ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10579641

120,000 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I LIVE IN A HOT "AMBIENT" ENVIRONMENT, THE SOUTH. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF MY 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE. MY CAR'S ACCELERATOR STICKS AND WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS ALSO AFFECTING THE REST OF THE CAR AND ITS PARTS. MY BRAKES ARE PROBABLY GOING OUT BECAUSE OF THE ACCELE…

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I LIVE IN A HOT "AMBIENT" ENVIRONMENT, THE SOUTH. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF MY 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE. MY CAR'S ACCELERATOR STICKS AND WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS ALSO AFFECTING THE REST OF THE CAR AND ITS PARTS. MY BRAKES ARE PROBABLY GOING OUT BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING STUCK AND ME HAVING TO HOLD THE BRAKES DOWN WHILE ITS REVVING PAST 3000 RPMS IN PARK. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN ISN'T EFFECTED. I HAVE READ ABOUT AND TALKED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE AND THEY ALSO WERE TURNED AWAY AND SAID THAT THEIR VINS WERE NOT EFFECTED. I THINK THAT GM MIGHT NOT BE TAKING THIS RECALL SERIOUSLY BUT I AM POSITIVE THAT THIS RECALL IS VALID FOR MY CAR AND IT IS SCARY WHEN I HAVE MY TWO BOYS THAT ARE UNDER FIVE IN MY BACKSEAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STICKS AND CONTINUES TO DO AND EVEN WHEN I TURN OFF MY VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON IT CONTINUES TO DO SO. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT YA'LL WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP ME . THANK YOU SO MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480759

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.