← New search

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

What owners actually said

184 reports
25 miles · Apr 14, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Other

03 OLDS ALERO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED AND MODULATOR SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING OR WON'T START FLASHERS HAVE A PROBLEM TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS CONTINUES INTERMITTENT START CAR IN DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS NOW STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT SURGES THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD CAR BUT NOT. …

Read full complaint

03 OLDS ALERO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED AND MODULATOR SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING OR WON'T START FLASHERS HAVE A PROBLEM TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS CONTINUES INTERMITTENT START CAR IN DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS NOW STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT SURGES THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD CAR BUT NOT. CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265329

115,032 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Electrical System

THE PASSLOCK FEATURE IS DEFECTIVE. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO MY CAR NOT STARTING. I HAVE GOTTEN A NEW BATTERY AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. WHEN THE CAR DOESN'T START I WILL DO WHAT THE MANUAL SAYS AND TURN THE KEY TO "ON" AND LET IT STAY THERE FOR 10 MINUTES, AFTER THAT IT WILL START. THAT CAN BECOME VERY FRU…

Read full complaint

THE PASSLOCK FEATURE IS DEFECTIVE. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO MY CAR NOT STARTING. I HAVE GOTTEN A NEW BATTERY AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. WHEN THE CAR DOESN'T START I WILL DO WHAT THE MANUAL SAYS AND TURN THE KEY TO "ON" AND LET IT STAY THERE FOR 10 MINUTES, AFTER THAT IT WILL START. THAT CAN BECOME VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU HAVE TWO SMALL KIDS AND IT IS 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS FEATURE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT WILL COST OVER $400.00 TO FIX. NORMAL HARD WORKING PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY JUST LAYING AROUND TO FIX A CAR, GM REALLY SHOULD DO BETTER. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT COSTING THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260526

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…

Read full complaint

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…

Read full complaint

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

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.…

Read full complaint

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

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 …

Read full complaint

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 …

Read full complaint

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

80,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD SWITCH. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL FAIL TO OPERATE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION. LAST FRIDAY THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN REAR-END ACCIDENT AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. WHEN I REFERRED TO ALERO PROBLEMS AND FIXES I NOTIC…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD SWITCH. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL FAIL TO OPERATE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION. LAST FRIDAY THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN REAR-END ACCIDENT AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. WHEN I REFERRED TO ALERO PROBLEMS AND FIXES I NOTICED RECALL ID#32353. THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WITH THE 1999-2001 OLDS ALERO. I FOUND THAT WHEN THE SIGNALS FAIL TO OPERATE AN UPWARD PUSH ON THE HAZARD SWITCH ALLOWS THE SIGNAL TO OPERATE. THIS SITUATION NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED FURTHER AS THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RESOLVED. I CAN NOT SPEAK FOR OTHERS BUT IF THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN INJURIES THAT CAUSED THE RECALL IN 2003 THE SAME CONSIDERATIONS NEEDS TO BE HELD FOR THE LATER MODELS IN 2002 AND 2003. THE INTERNET IS LOADED WITH THIS TURN SIGNAL ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244170

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…

Read full complaint

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

40,000 miles · Jun 25, 2008
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

90,000 MILES ON CAR, NEED TO REPLACE BEARINGS FOR A SECOND TIME! THE SYSTEM IS SET UP SO THAT WHEN THE BEARINGS FAIL THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ALSO FAILS. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS ON ICE/WATER WHEN MY SYSTEM SUDDENLY FAILS. THIS CAR SHOULD GO MUCH LONGER ON NEW BEARINGS - THIS WILL BE MY 3RD SET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232256

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.