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2004 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero are lower than the model-year median of 279.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

78 reports with mileage · 31 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

109 reports
102,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical System

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VE…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. RK UPDATED 4/22/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING AND WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO RUN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE IGNITION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 04/24/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10566013

56,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE FUNCTION WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE FUNCTION WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10565585

60,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Electrical System

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING GENERAL MOTORS PASSLOCK ISSUES SINCE IT HAD 60000 MILES ON IT. I CAN NO LONGER TRUST IT TO START, AND HAVE TO LEAVE IT RUN WHEN I HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE ON TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557945

130,000 miles · Dec 27, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10557454

95,562 miles · Nov 27, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPLAINT FILED ON 11-22-13,ODI# 10553362,ABOUT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR,THEY WANT TO REPLACE...IT WAS REPLACED ALREADY ON DEC.30,2009.I AM MAKING A LIST OF ALL OF THE WORK I HAVE DONE ON THIS CAR STARTING FROM THE MILEAGE OF 7635,MAY,18,2005.IT WAS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD,AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS…

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THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPLAINT FILED ON 11-22-13,ODI# 10553362,ABOUT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR,THEY WANT TO REPLACE...IT WAS REPLACED ALREADY ON DEC.30,2009.I AM MAKING A LIST OF ALL OF THE WORK I HAVE DONE ON THIS CAR STARTING FROM THE MILEAGE OF 7635,MAY,18,2005.IT WAS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD,AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE GASKET PAN ON THE TRANSMISSION FOR LEAKING.OCT.6,2006,TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING AGAIN,AND THE COOLER LINE SEAL WAS REPLACED.NOV.1,2006,THE GENERATOR AND ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED.MILEAGE WAS26,419.JUNE 13,2007,TRANSMISSION LEAKING AGAIN.JAN.5,2009,POWER STEERING LEAK REPLACED GEARTIE RODS AND SEALS,ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.DEC.4,2009 MILEAGE WAS 70,687.,WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND REPLACED. FEB5,2010,DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS,BUT 800 FRONYEND LF SENSOR FRACTION LIGHT HUB KIT-CPC,MILEAGE WAS71,822. I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-45 GOING TO WORK AT 60 MPH,AND I SAW SOMETHING BLACK FLY OFF OF MY CAR,IT WAS THE BLACK WINDOW STRIPPING THAT HOLDS THE WINDSHIELD ON!!!!!!!! THEN THE COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG STARTED TO CURL OFF OF THE BAG.I TOOK IT TO CREST CADILLAC AND THEY TOLD ME IF WOULD COST ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX IT.THESE BOTH WERE MANUFACTURERS DEFAULT OF SLOPPY WORKMANSHIP.CASE #71-986879285..I CONTACTED GM ON 9-13-11,AND ON 9-21-13,A SANDEE EMAILED ME,THEY DID FIX THEM AT NO COST TO ME.BUT STILL IT WAS WORRYING IF THE WINDOW WAS GOING TO FLY OFF ON THE FREEWAY AND KILL SOMEONE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE? 105-12REPLACED FUEL PUMP MILEAGE 95562. I TOOK IT TO GET INSPECTION AND IT WON'T PASS INSP NOW AND THEY WANT OVER 2,000 TO FIX ALL OF THE THINGS THEY ALREADY FIXED. MOTORTREND.COM.RECALLS ON THEM. TANK ASSEMBLY PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES I HAVE SMELLED GAS IN MY CAR SINCE TO THIS MORNING.I WAS WARNED BY THE PLANO,TX.POLICE TO GET INSPEC STICKER HOW DO I DO THAT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553995

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

I BOUGHT IT IN DEC.2004,THE LAST 2-ONE BLACK AND ONE WHITE,I TOOK THE BLACK SITTING ON THE LOT OF FREEMAN OLDS, IRVING TX. I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE IN2006 I HAVE ALL OF MY PAPERWORK. BRAKES WENT OUT, POWERTRAIN WENT OUT. THEN I STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THEMORNING WHEN I CRANKED IT. AND STILL DO TO THIS MORNING,IT IS AWFUL. LAST Y…

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I BOUGHT IT IN DEC.2004,THE LAST 2-ONE BLACK AND ONE WHITE,I TOOK THE BLACK SITTING ON THE LOT OF FREEMAN OLDS, IRVING TX. I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE IN2006 I HAVE ALL OF MY PAPERWORK. BRAKES WENT OUT, POWERTRAIN WENT OUT. THEN I STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THEMORNING WHEN I CRANKED IT. AND STILL DO TO THIS MORNING,IT IS AWFUL. LAST YEAR IT DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WOULD NOT START,I EVEN HAD THE PLANO TX. POLICE TRY TO BOOT IT FOR ME. BATTERY I THOUGHT. HUFFINES HAD IT TOWED IN AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THEM,BUT IT WAS MY FAULT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT. SO THEY GAVE IT BACK,I GO TO THE BANK, MILES FROM HOME AND IT DOES IT AGAIN.THEY TOW IT BACK AND AGAIN THE SAME THING.I GO AGAIN AT MY HOUSE AND THE SAME THING,THIS IS BS AT THIS POINT CONTACT GM FOR THE LOUSINESS OF THIS CAR, [XXX] WAS THE FIRST, ANGEL, AND NOW LASHAWNDA.THEY TELL ME THE FUEL PUMP,OK,THEY REPLACED IT, I HAD TO CASH IN MY GRANDCHILDRENS LIFE INS TO PAY FOR IT,AND AM STILL PAYING BACK THE LOAN A YEAR LATER. I AM ON DISABILITY,AND DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY. SO I TAKE IT IN FOR INSPECTION,HE COMES OUT WITH A LIST OF ABOUT $800.00 WORTH OF STUFF TO FIX BEFORE IT WILL PASS. [XXX] SAID THEY WOULD WAIVE THE DIAG FEE, I TOOK IT YESTERDAY, HE GAVE ME ANOTHER$1,000 WORTH OF STUFF TO FIX:FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR,LEAKING GAS,EGR VALVE,THERMOSTAT AND COOL FLUSH.NOT INCLUDING THE 800,$2,000,TO GET IT ALL DONE. I HAVE COPIES OF THE RECALLS ON IT. SEVERAL TRANSMISSION LEAKS WITH IN MONTHS OF BUYING IT. AFTER THE FUEL PUMP THAT WASN'T EVEN THE PROBLEM,ALL IT WAS ,THE RELAY SWITCH. THEY DID NOT EVEN TRY THAT. I ASKED THEM TO EITHER FIX THIS PROBLEM AND CALL IT EVEN,OR GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY.SHE SAID NO THEY FIXED THAT OTHER PROBLEM FOR NOTHING SO BE GRATEFUL IS WHAT SHE MEANT. AFTER PAYING $24,000 FOR NOTHING??? THE ORIG PRICE 24,000 BUT WITH SOME DIS IT WAS 14,000? BUT WITH INTEREST IT WAS 24,NEVER CONTACTED ME. [XXX] STOPPED DOING ANY GM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553362

111,957 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Exterior Lighting

BLINKER INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. I WILL GO TO SIGNAL A LANE CHANGE AND THE BLINKER WILL NOT WORK. THEN RANDOMLY IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO SIGNAL MY LANE CHANGE AND IT CAUSES ME TO BREAK THE LAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546125

96,000 miles · Sep 1, 2012
Exterior Lighting

VEHICLE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE HAZARD LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP FUNCTIONING GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND WILL RANDOMLY START FUNCTIONING AGAIN. OFTEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I WILL BE UNABLE TO SIGNAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS WELL AS CAUSES THE VEHICLE'S O…

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VEHICLE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE HAZARD LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS WILL STOP FUNCTIONING GOING DOWN THE ROAD, AND WILL RANDOMLY START FUNCTIONING AGAIN. OFTEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I WILL BE UNABLE TO SIGNAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AS WELL AS CAUSES THE VEHICLE'S OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY BREAK TRAFFIC LAWS. I BELIEVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM WAS RECALLED IN THE SAME MAKE, AND MODEL, BUT AN EARLIER YEAR. I THINK THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER LATER MODEL YEARS, BECAUSE THE ISSUE CONTINUED INTO THE LATER MODEL YEARS. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH WILL SHOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND MANY OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473283

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, SHE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONTACT WANTED TO MAKE THE PROBLEM KNOWN AND STATED THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE FILED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURRED IN HER VEHICLE BUT SHE WAS JUST BEING ALERT.

NHTSA ODI #10473027

75,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Electrical System

HORN STARTED GOING OFF AND WON'T STOP. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ONLINE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10463934

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.