SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
462Owner complaints

Model-year median: 279

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
1998462
1999557
2000364
2001279
2002
Compare all Alero years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
111Electrical System
89Engine And Engine Cooling
85Visibility
56Suspension
46
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
43Power Train
34Steering
30Structure
29Fuel System, Gasoline
25Air Bags
14Vehicle Speed Control
14Seat Belts
11Seats
10Unknown Or Other
10Wheels
9Equipment
8Fuel System, Other
5Parking Brake
5Service Brakes, Air
5Fuel/propulsion System
3Interior Lighting
2Tires
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

85 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET & OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING SEAL IS LEAKING COOLANT INTERNAL & IS MIXING WITH OIL, ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR IS ONLY 2 1/2 YRS OLD, THE INTAKE GASKET AND O-RING SEAL SHOULD NOT LEAK FLUID; THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE (FITZGERALD AUTO MALL- MARYLA…

Read full complaint

THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET & OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING SEAL IS LEAKING COOLANT INTERNAL & IS MIXING WITH OIL, ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR IS ONLY 2 1/2 YRS OLD, THE INTAKE GASKET AND O-RING SEAL SHOULD NOT LEAK FLUID; THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE (FITZGERALD AUTO MALL- MARYLAND) CONSISTENTLY. .... IDLERPULLEY - I HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED IN NOV 2001(113.38). IN FEBRUARY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ALL OF CAR SYSTEMS BEGAN TO FAIL. ONCE THE ALTERNATOR WAS DRAINED DRY AND THE CAR COOLANT, THE BATTERY DIED, BECAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF. AFTER TWO HOURS IN THE RAIN WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE BELT BACK ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED THE IDLER PULLEY BEARING WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED...THIS COST $117.47. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PAY CLAIM ANY LIABILITY, BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THEY HAD REPLACED THER SERPENTINE BELT AND FELT ANYTHING COULD OF HAPPENED SINCE NOVEMBER. I AM SURE IT IS NOT COMMON FOR AN IDLER PULLEY BEARING TO BECOME LOOSE, THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #758535

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #9006032

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Air

THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE BRAKES ARE VIBRATING AGAIN WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON HAVE BEEN ON AT LEAST 6 TIMES. THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #9005060

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT BRAKES ARE BAD, DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIRS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #563702

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts

ENGINE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #785716

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingParking BrakePower Train

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #785483

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, DUE TO THIS CONDITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA ODI #889540

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT VEHICLE COMMENCED TO SMOKE SEVERELY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD GONE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #889535

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WATER PUMP IS LEAKING SOME KIND OF LIQUID, AND ENGINE IS ALWAYS GETTING HOT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DO MUCH ABOUT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #888288

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLES BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES, THE CONSUMER IS REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA ODI #559999

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.