IllustrationTHE INTERIOR TRIM PIECES AND DOOR PANELS WERE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. *MJS
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 reportsI PURCHASED MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO ON 4/20/00. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE CAR OVERHEATED. IT OVERHEATED APPROXIMENTLEY 10-12 TIMES AFTER THAT, EACH TIME WITH ME BRINGING IT BACK TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR BACK, SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK. NO MORE THAN…
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I PURCHASED MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO ON 4/20/00. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE CAR OVERHEATED. IT OVERHEATED APPROXIMENTLEY 10-12 TIMES AFTER THAT, EACH TIME WITH ME BRINGING IT BACK TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME I TOOK THE CAR BACK, SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS OK. NO MORE THAN 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR WOULD OVERHEAT. IT SEEMED TO BE A MYSTERY TO EVERBODY. FINALLY, I SUGGESTED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO POSSIBLY CHANGE THE THERMOSTAT. THEY DID AND THAT ENDED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM. NOW, A MONTH LATER, THE FACTORY WARRANTY IS UP- SO OLDS WONT HELP ME, THE DEALERSHIPS WARRANTY IS UP, SO THEY WONT HELP - THEY BLAME OLDS. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT I DONT THINK IT COVERS A LOT OF THE REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. IVE ALREADY HAD TO PAY $250 BEFORE IT TOTALLY BROKE DOWN. AND BESIDES THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I GOT THE CAR WHEN IT WAS WITHIN THE "BUMPER TO BUMPER". THE ENGINE WILL NOT HOLD ANTIFREEZE (BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEK), WE PUT IT IN AND 5 MIN. DOWN THE ROAD ITS GONE! ITS STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN, AND RIGHT NOW IS TOTALLY UNDRIVABLE!! I HAVE TO USE MY WORKS COMPANY CAR (LUCKY THEY ARE SO NICE) TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK WITH. I BOUGHT A 1999 SO THAT I WOULD HAVE A RELIABLE CAR THAT I COULD TRUST TO NOT GIVE ME THESE KINDS OF DRASTIC PROBLEMS! - SO BAD THAT IT DOESNT EVEN WORK ANYMORE!! I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH OLDSMOBILE NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY ARE OF NO HELP!!! SO, I'VE COME TO MY LAST STRAW, IVE GONE TO A CONSUMER LAWYER TO HELP ME FIGURE THIS MESS OUT...OH YEAH, DID I MENTION THAT I AM A 20 YEAR OLD FEMALE - WHAT DO I KNOW??? - I HAVE SAVED ALL OF MY RECEIPTS, HAVE PICS, AND A FILE WITH OLDS. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING!! I WANT REVENGE AND TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THIS!!! AND THE WAY THE LAWYER TALKS, I CANT SUE UNLESS THEY DONT CONTACT ME WHEN THEY RECIEVE THE LETTER OF DEMAND TO FIX THE CAR. BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY WILL. I WANT MORE THAN THAT. IM READY FOR A BATTLE!!*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAME AJAR, NOT ABLE TO CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY. REPETETIVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR DEFROSTER. LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT INACCURATE. *AK.ET. THERE WERE TWO INCIDENT OF CRACKED RADIATOR CAP. THERE WERE THREE INCIDENTS OF INTERIOR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FAILURE. GAS GUAGE M…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAME AJAR, NOT ABLE TO CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY. REPETETIVE PROBLEMS WITH REAR DEFROSTER. LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT INACCURATE. *AK.ET. THERE WERE TWO INCIDENT OF CRACKED RADIATOR CAP. THERE WERE THREE INCIDENTS OF INTERIOR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON FAILURE. GAS GUAGE MALFUNCTIONED. *YH
ON THREE OCCASIONS I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR TO MY DESTINATION AND WHEN I GO TO GET BACK IN THE CAR IT WON'T START. IT HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED EACH TIME AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE DATES THIS HAPPENED WAS 8/22/99, 9/14/99-9/17/99 & 9/22/99-CURRENT. THE DEALERSHIP STILL HAS MY CAR TO THIS DATE. THEY ADMIT THAT THERE IS A DEFECT …
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ON THREE OCCASIONS I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR TO MY DESTINATION AND WHEN I GO TO GET BACK IN THE CAR IT WON'T START. IT HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED EACH TIME AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE DATES THIS HAPPENED WAS 8/22/99, 9/14/99-9/17/99 & 9/22/99-CURRENT. THE DEALERSHIP STILL HAS MY CAR TO THIS DATE. THEY ADMIT THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WHICH THEY THOUGHT WAS THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER ALERO'S, BUT APPARANTLY THAT WASN'T IT. I FORGOT TO ADD THAT AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR AWHILE, IT STARTS BACK UP, SO THE IT WON'T DUPLICATE ITSELF AT THE DEALERSHIP. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, BUT I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT HAS OCCURRED WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER FILLING THE TANK UP WITH FUEL AND I TOLD THEM THIS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT NOT STARTING UP OR SOMETHING IN THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTIVE. I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WAS ON A WEEKEND AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED. SO FAR MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP CUMULATIVE 15 DAYS. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS LEFT ME AND MY SON STRANDED AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE, BUT I FEEL THAT THE CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW THIS. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THAT CAR ANY LONGER AND AM NOT TAKING IT BACK. WE HAVE YET TO WORK OUT A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER (GENERAL MOTORS) TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD RESULT IN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE DEFECTS AREN'T DETECTED. I SPOKE WITH BRENT WALLS, GM FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE @ 1-800-823-0055 X8174. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH OLDSMOBILE 1-800-442-6537 FILE #990072405 AND WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND BBB AUTOLINE. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS OR TO DISCUSS THIS CLAIM. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME.
REAR MAIN SEAL OIL LEAK., OIL BLOWING ONTO EXHAUST PIPE. *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.