NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsClear category filter78,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER INSPECTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CONSOLE COVER WAS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V140000 (STRUCTURE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES SEVERAL TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10648399
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…
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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
90,000 miles · Mar 1, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
GAS GAUGE IS ALWAYS OFF, I HAVE TO FILL THE GAS TANK UP ATLEAST 2-3 A DAY. MAYBE THERE IS A LEAK FROM RECALL, OR THE RECALL FORM THE GAS TANK. ALSO SPENT $700.00 FOR A RECALLED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260369
80,000 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TWO DAYS AGO. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED A YEAR AGO. DEALERSHIP STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A CRACKED ENGINE--WHICH MEANS A NEW MOTOR. CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. WE ARE D…
Read full complaint
CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TWO DAYS AGO. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED A YEAR AGO. DEALERSHIP STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A CRACKED ENGINE--WHICH MEANS A NEW MOTOR. CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. WE ARE DEVASTATED AS THIS IS OUR DAUGHTER'S CAR AND SHE IS ABOUT TO BE A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE. THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON HER WHILE TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE-AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233467
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR HAVE MALFUNCTIONED NUMEROUS TIMES. INITIAL MALFUNCTION WAS IN 2003 AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED APPROX. 12 TIMES TO DATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222213
73,277 miles · May 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN MARCH 2006 AT 73,277 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, VALVE COVER GASKETS & WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO A CONSTANT ANTIFREEZE LEAK. THEN IN APRIL 2007 AT 87,452 MILES HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM & GM EVEN CHANGED THE…
Read full complaint
IN MARCH 2006 AT 73,277 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, VALVE COVER GASKETS & WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO A CONSTANT ANTIFREEZE LEAK. THEN IN APRIL 2007 AT 87,452 MILES HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM & GM EVEN CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SO THE ONE I HAD PUT ON IN 2007 WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE IN 2006 BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. SEEMED LIKE THEY SHOULD BE REIMBURSING PEOPLE & HAVING A RECALL BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10191425
75,000 miles · Jan 26, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE HAD AN 99' OLDSMOBILE ALERO FOR 7 YEARS. IT HAS HAD ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. IT HAS HAD AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM EVERY YEAR SINCE I GOT IT AND I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, POOR INTERIOR MANUFACTURER, AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SETTINGS FAILURE, FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, TRA…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD AN 99' OLDSMOBILE ALERO FOR 7 YEARS. IT HAS HAD ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. IT HAS HAD AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM EVERY YEAR SINCE I GOT IT AND I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, POOR INTERIOR MANUFACTURER, AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SETTINGS FAILURE, FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, POOR SPRINGS/STRUTS, GEAR SLIPPING, HARD STARTING, WATER LEAKING IN FROM RAIN UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, OFF ALIGNMENT (SET THREE TIMES IN YEAR), POOR GAS MILEAGE, OVERHEATING OR RUNNING ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND SUDDEN OVERHEATING WITHOUT NOTICE OF GAUGE LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. HAS HAD FRONT RIGHT CALIPER FAILURE LOCKING BRAKE PADS DOWN AGAINST ROTOR CAUSING BURNOUT OF PADS,ROTOR WARPING, CALIPER CYLINDER DAMAGE. HAS HAD POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKAGE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH SELLING UNSAFE, WORTHLESS VEHICLES. THE ONLY REASON I STILL HAVE MINE RUNNING IS BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF PERSONAL AS WELL AS PAID LABOR INTO ITS UPKEEP OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THAT I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10180772
70,000 miles · Jan 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
1999 OLDS ALERO 70,000 MILES AND WILL HAVE TO SPEND OVER 700 REPLACING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. IF WE DO NOT REPAIR, WILL LOSE ENGINE AT OVER 2500 EXPENSE. WE HAVE TALKED TO SHOPS AND READ INTERNET ISSUES PREDOMINANT ON THIS SAME ISSUE. GM SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178646
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
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.
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 ↗