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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.

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

111 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

FEEL BRAKES ON VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE REQUIRING MULTIPLE REPAIRS AS A RESULT. DO NOT THINK THEY ARE SAFE EVEN AFTER REPAIRED GIVEN THE REPEAT FREQUENCY OF SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, GLASS PANES ON ALL FOUR SIDE WINDOWS HAVE LONG MECHANICAL SCRATCH MARKS, WHICH SOMETIMES CATCH GLARE OF SUN/HEADLIGHTS WHEN LOOKING OUT THOSE W…

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FEEL BRAKES ON VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE REQUIRING MULTIPLE REPAIRS AS A RESULT. DO NOT THINK THEY ARE SAFE EVEN AFTER REPAIRED GIVEN THE REPEAT FREQUENCY OF SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, GLASS PANES ON ALL FOUR SIDE WINDOWS HAVE LONG MECHANICAL SCRATCH MARKS, WHICH SOMETIMES CATCH GLARE OF SUN/HEADLIGHTS WHEN LOOKING OUT THOSE WINDOWS DURING LANE CHANGES. SCRATCHES APPEAR TO BE RESULT OF DEFECTIVE WINDOW HOUSING/MECHANICALS.

NHTSA ODI #10003121

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WITHIN 47000 MILES CONSUMER HAS HAD ROTORS REPLACED FOUR TIMES DUE TO WARPING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8019083

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE LIGH ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS ON WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. DEALER CANNOT CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018689

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT ROTORS TURNED 3 TIMES IN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, THEN REPLACED BY DEALER. APPROX. 3,000 MILES LATER, NEW ROTORS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. ROTORS ARE MADE OF DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, OR FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING TOO HARD/GETTING TOO HOT AND WARPING ROTORS EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. SHOCKED TO SEE SO MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH …

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FRONT ROTORS TURNED 3 TIMES IN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, THEN REPLACED BY DEALER. APPROX. 3,000 MILES LATER, NEW ROTORS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. ROTORS ARE MADE OF DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, OR FRONT BRAKES ARE WORKING TOO HARD/GETTING TOO HOT AND WARPING ROTORS EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES. SHOCKED TO SEE SO MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOPING FOR A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766711

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CAR HAS WORN OUT TWO SET OF BRAKE PADS IN 30000 MILES, TWO SET OF ROTORS, AND ONE SET OF CALLIPERS. I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE ANY NEED TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT THEY COULD CHECK OUT THE BRAKES. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS EVEN IF THEY CHE…

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THE CAR HAS WORN OUT TWO SET OF BRAKE PADS IN 30000 MILES, TWO SET OF ROTORS, AND ONE SET OF CALLIPERS. I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE ANY NEED TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT THEY COULD CHECK OUT THE BRAKES. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS EVEN IF THEY CHECKED THE CAR SO THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764656

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CALIPER MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN APPLIED. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL NEW BRAKE PADS AND 2 SETS OF ROTORS BEFORE A MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID IT HAPPENED A LOT ON THIS MODEL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #763706

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISE AND FAIL WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PADS FOUR TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. *YH *NM

NHTSA ODI #566255

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8012335

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS ARE TOO THIN TO HANDLE HEAT GENARATED BY DISC PADS,RESULTING IN OUT OF ROUND CONDITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762984

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TERRIBLE BRAKE SYSTEM-VERY SCARY FAMILY CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762762

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.