IllustrationTHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVELS, IT WAS LOW. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSIS IS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH AN $800+ REPAIR COST. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF COOLANT, DEXCOOL, USED IN GM CARS IS LINKED TO CORROSION TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. *AK
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Alero years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
3625–50K
5550–75K
3575–100K
21100–150K
7150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsCAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAME AFTER 5 MILE DRIVE TO A SHOPPING MALL. CAR WAS CRUISING PARKING LOT LOOKING FOR SPACE WHEN FIRE ERUPTED.
ENGINE: 3.4L V6. THE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE DEALER PICKED UP THE COST OF THE PARTS UNDER THEIR "GOODWILL" POLICY, BUT OUT OF POCKET COST TO ME WAS STILL OVER $800. THE MANIFOLD GASKET ON MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, VIN [XXX] ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 18,000 MI…
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ENGINE: 3.4L V6. THE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE DEALER PICKED UP THE COST OF THE PARTS UNDER THEIR "GOODWILL" POLICY, BUT OUT OF POCKET COST TO ME WAS STILL OVER $800. THE MANIFOLD GASKET ON MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, VIN [XXX] ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 18,000 MILES. THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME. THIS WAS ALSO THE 3.4L V6 ENGINE. IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A PROBLEM GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND HAVE NOT TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION IN A TIMELY MANNER. AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY ON THIS ENGINE IS CERTAINLY CALLED FOR. I HAVE ADVISED MANY FRIENDS TO AVOID PURCHASING A GM CAR WITH EITHER THE 3.1L OR 3.4L ENGINE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WITHIN MY 36,000 OF DRIVING FROM 50,222 TO 86,119 MY INTAKE GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. MY RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT THE RACK WAS REPLACED WHILE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR. RECENTLY I REALIZED WHY WATER WAS GETTING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHIC…
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WITHIN MY 36,000 OF DRIVING FROM 50,222 TO 86,119 MY INTAKE GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. MY RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT THE RACK WAS REPLACED WHILE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR. RECENTLY I REALIZED WHY WATER WAS GETTING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW SEAL IS SHIFTED CAUSING THE WINDOW TO LEAK IF THE CAR IS PARKED AT CERTAIN INCLINES. THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY MY PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WARRANTY. ALL MAJOR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY WARRANTY AND ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS HAVE BEE QUOTE "EATEN" BY REPAIR FACILITIES.
CAR OVERHEATED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. REAR OF INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *CB
THE OLDSMOBILE ALERO IS A PILE OF CRAP. SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I HAVE REPLACED ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT AT 70,000 MILES, I HAD A WARRANTY AND THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL WENT OUT AND MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HASN'T WORKED SINCE ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I'M J…
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THE OLDSMOBILE ALERO IS A PILE OF CRAP. SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I HAVE REPLACED ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END. MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT AT 70,000 MILES, I HAD A WARRANTY AND THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL WENT OUT AND MY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HASN'T WORKED SINCE ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE DAY THIS CAR JUST BURSTS INTO FLAMES. *CB
GM V6 INTAKE MAINFOLD LEAK. *AK
ENGINE ABRUPTLY OVERHEATED. AFTER IMMEDIATELY PULLING OVER, THE ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEARBY SERVICE CENTER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ENGINE LOWER INTAKE GASKET WAS FAULTY. *LA
THE "COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON - THEN THE CAR DIED & OVERHEATED...APPARENTLY COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BECAUSE A GASKET FAILED...NOW THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED AT 70,000 MILES. STARTING AT 3,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON & IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIPS EVER SINCE!!! GM HASN'T DONE A THING TO HE…
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THE "COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON - THEN THE CAR DIED & OVERHEATED...APPARENTLY COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BECAUSE A GASKET FAILED...NOW THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED AT 70,000 MILES. STARTING AT 3,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON & IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIPS EVER SINCE!!! GM HASN'T DONE A THING TO HELP ME! I JUST SPENT $1,300 TO GET THE GASKET REPLACED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD & NOW THEY TELL ME THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED!!! PLEASE HELP ME - I NEED A CONTACT FOR GM - THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE HAS NOT DONE A THING TO HELP & APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM... *LA
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND CHECKED. NOTICED COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC HAD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE.*AK
Official recalls
314V400000 · 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
1RQ04005 · 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.