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1999 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 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

169 reports with mileage · 293 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports11 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

89 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR TO DEACTIVATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR TO DEACTIVATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10637462

97,213 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DURING THE FAILURE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO DISPLAY RANDOM SPEEDS RAN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DURING THE FAILURE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO DISPLAY RANDOM SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0 MPH TO 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,213.

NHTSA ODI #10379803

130,000 miles · Jan 12, 2011
Electrical System

I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, SEVERAL TIMES MY SECURITY LIGHTS AND CAME ON AND YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR, IT WILL FLASH FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN HOPEFULLY IT WILL START AND NOT START FLASHING AGAIN. I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND SPEND $$$$$ MANY DOLLARS AND STILL I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM , I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH …

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I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, SEVERAL TIMES MY SECURITY LIGHTS AND CAME ON AND YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR, IT WILL FLASH FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN HOPEFULLY IT WILL START AND NOT START FLASHING AGAIN. I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND SPEND $$$$$ MANY DOLLARS AND STILL I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM , I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH NOW BECAUSE I AM SCARE THAT IT WANT START, GMC NEEDS TO DOI A RECALL . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376376

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION…

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POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION MY PART-TIME SIGNAL LIGHTS THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAD TO REPLACE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSER I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR 5 YRS MYSELF AND ITS SO NOT WORTH THE MONEY I HAVE PUT INTO IT THE DATES VARY BUT THE FIRST WAS IN 2004 AND THE LAST WAS 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355125

34,494 miles · Sep 24, 2009
Electrical System

FOR UNKNOWN REASONS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS AND THE CAR WILL EITHER NOT START OR WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME CUTTING POWER TO THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. CAUSING A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285098

93,500 miles · Aug 24, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

SECUIRTY LIGHT ON 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START FOR OVER 10 MINS. THIS CAUSES ME TO FUEL MY CAR WITH THE CAR ENGINE RUNNING BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF IT NOT STARTING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 3 TRYS BEFORE IT STARTS AND THAT IS OVER 30 MINUTES OF WAIT TIME. ONE DAY IT MAY NOT START AT ALL.…

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SECUIRTY LIGHT ON 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START FOR OVER 10 MINS. THIS CAUSES ME TO FUEL MY CAR WITH THE CAR ENGINE RUNNING BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF IT NOT STARTING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 3 TRYS BEFORE IT STARTS AND THAT IS OVER 30 MINUTES OF WAIT TIME. ONE DAY IT MAY NOT START AT ALL. ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER ALERO OWNERS. OLDSMOBILE NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281538

114,800 miles · Jul 7, 2009
Electrical System

MY SECURITY LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. IT LOCKS DOWN MY FUEL SYSTEM. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX IN OCTOBER OF 2006. IT WAS FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I BOUGHT IT FROM. ABOUT $500.00 IS WHAT I PAID TO GET IT FIX. ON JULY4,2009, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. IT MALFUNCTION AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS AGAIN. THERE ARE LOTS OF PE…

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MY SECURITY LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. IT LOCKS DOWN MY FUEL SYSTEM. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX IN OCTOBER OF 2006. IT WAS FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I BOUGHT IT FROM. ABOUT $500.00 IS WHAT I PAID TO GET IT FIX. ON JULY4,2009, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. IT MALFUNCTION AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS AGAIN. THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I GOT. PLEASE HELP ME AND OTHERS WITH THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT OUR FAULT THAT THEY MADE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275991

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 1.MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING. 2. ALL OF THE WINDOWS FAILING BY FALLING OFF THE TRACKS OR THE REGULATOR ITSELF FAILING. THREE TIMES FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW! 3.THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY, CLICKING CONSTANTLY. 4.THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING 5. THE INTER…

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MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 1.MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING. 2. ALL OF THE WINDOWS FAILING BY FALLING OFF THE TRACKS OR THE REGULATOR ITSELF FAILING. THREE TIMES FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW! 3.THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY, CLICKING CONSTANTLY. 4.THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING 5. THE INTERIOR LEATHER CURLED UP ON THE DASH, WHICH I NOTICE ON MANY OTHER ALERO'S I'VE SEEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265175

77,000 miles · Nov 3, 2007
Electrical System

THE PASSLOCK FEATURE. HAS LEFT ME AND SEVERAL, SEVERAL UNHAPPY ALERO OWNERS STRANDED. THIS IS A VERY BAD AND EXPENSIVE IDEA AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE CAR NOW FOR 2 MONTHS. I HATE THIS CAR. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALLED ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207807

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2007
Electrical System

I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR DOES NOT START FOLLOWED BY THE WORD SECURITY FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD CAR WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 15 MINS AND HOPE IT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. I HAVE READ UP ONLINE AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE RELATED TO THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON OLDSMOBILE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207083

Official recalls

3

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.

00V140000 · Structure:body

May 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

98V320000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Dec 15, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.

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

1

RQ04005 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Jun 18, 2004 · Closed Nov 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.