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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 · Aug 17, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

ABS SENOR LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE WITHOUT BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRUNCHING NOISE FROM BRAKES BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RELACED, CONSUMER ALSO STATED TH…

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ABS SENOR LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE WITHOUT BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRUNCHING NOISE FROM BRAKES BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RELACED, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT POWER STEERING WAS NOISEY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #894652

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentSeat Belts

SUN ROOF ASSEMBY FAILED, REQUIRED 3 MONTHS TO REPLACE/REPAIR. BRAKE PADS REPLACED ON ALL 4 WHEELS AT LOW MILEAGE. SEAT BELT ON DRIVER LATCH IS LOOSE ON SEAT BELT. REAR SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. BATTERY LEAKED CAUSING FAILURE TO START, BATTERY REPLACED, BUT NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE CHECKED BY DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #749832

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT BRAKES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OVER 60, THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #893301

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GMC TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #749048

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS REFACED AND PADS REPLACED WITH ONLY 22500 MILES ON VEHICLE (ALL AT MY EXPENSE). I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT ROTORS HAVE TO BE REFACED WITH ONLY 22K MILES ON A VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ASKED 4 1/2 MONTHS AGO TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THEIR IDEA OF CHECKING THE BRAKES CONSISTED OF DRIVING THE CAR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T SHOW THEM …

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ROTORS REFACED AND PADS REPLACED WITH ONLY 22500 MILES ON VEHICLE (ALL AT MY EXPENSE). I FIND IT VERY ODD THAT ROTORS HAVE TO BE REFACED WITH ONLY 22K MILES ON A VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ASKED 4 1/2 MONTHS AGO TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THEIR IDEA OF CHECKING THE BRAKES CONSISTED OF DRIVING THE CAR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T SHOW THEM THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM ARISING WITH THE ROTORS. FURTHERMORE AFTER READING MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS NOT TELLING US ABOUT. LETS HOPE NO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #748809

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT ROTORS WARPED EVERY 5000 TO 10000 MILES. DEALER HAS REPLACED FRONT ROTORS ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED BULLETIN.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHAKES VERY BADLY WHEN TRYING TO STOP, BRAKING DISTANCE IS MUCH LONGER BECAUSE OF BRAKE DEFECT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891891

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 4,571M ON 01/13/2000 DEALER MACHINED ROTORS TO REMOVE SHIMMY FROM FRONTEND. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER NEW CARS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE DRIVEN IN THE CITY FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ON 06/19/2000 AT 8,725M. SECOND TIME AROUND DEALER INSTALLED NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS PER TSB FROM GM. I WAS TOLD PROBLEM WIL…

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AT 4,571M ON 01/13/2000 DEALER MACHINED ROTORS TO REMOVE SHIMMY FROM FRONTEND. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER NEW CARS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE DRIVEN IN THE CITY FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ON 06/19/2000 AT 8,725M. SECOND TIME AROUND DEALER INSTALLED NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS PER TSB FROM GM. I WAS TOLD PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. ON 06/15/2001 AT 17,064M THE DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AGAIN. NOW ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEED TO NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN OR THEY'LL CONTACT THE MAIN ENGINEERING OF GM TO RECTIFY SITUATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747077

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS WARPED AT AROUND 40,000 MI. I HAD THEM TURNED AT AROUND 45,000 & THE PROBLEM WAS TEMORARILY FIXED UNTIL ABOUT 50,000 MI. I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED AT AROUND 53,000 MI. & THE PROBLEM HAS ONCE AGAIN RECURRED AT 55,000 MI. I NOTICED IN CHECKING COMMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AT MSN CARPOINT.COM THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMP…

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ROTORS WARPED AT AROUND 40,000 MI. I HAD THEM TURNED AT AROUND 45,000 & THE PROBLEM WAS TEMORARILY FIXED UNTIL ABOUT 50,000 MI. I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED AT AROUND 53,000 MI. & THE PROBLEM HAS ONCE AGAIN RECURRED AT 55,000 MI. I NOTICED IN CHECKING COMMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AT MSN CARPOINT.COM THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ALERO'S BRAKES AND ROTORS (ESPECIALLY ROTORS THAT WARP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONCE PERSON EVEN COMMENTED THAT HER DEALERSHIP REPLACES HER ROTORS FREE OF CHARGE, WHICH INDICATES THAT THERE REALLY IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALERO). I HAD TO PAY $500.00 TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND FRONT TIRES REPLACED. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT TIRES WERE WORN SO BADLY THAT THEY COULD HAVE BLOWN AT ANY MINUTE AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURY. IT HAS ONLY BEEN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH SINCE I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED & ONCE AGAIN MY CAR IS VIBRATING AND PULSATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747034

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES WORN, ROTORS SCORED, DEALER TURNED ROTORS, IN AUGUST 2000 DEALER REPLACED ROTORS, NOW JUNE 2001 BRAKES AND ROTORS BAD AGAIN. DEALER SAYS NOT A PROBLEM WITH CAR, LUCKY I'M GETTING THAT MUCH USE OUT OF THE BRAKES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #746875

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ROTORS ON MY 1999 ALERO HAVE HAD VIBRATION PROBLEMS BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2000. AT 12458 MILES, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. AT 24664 MILES, ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. AT 30964 MILES, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. I NOW HAVE JUST OVER 38000 MILES AND THERE IS SEVERE PULSATION IN THE BRAKES AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #746823

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.