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
What owners actually said
462 reports
78,903 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Suspension
ON 5/27/05, THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING ON DASH TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CLANKING IN THE FRONT END AS THE DRIVER APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, THEN TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. THERE WERE NORMAL DRIVING AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICL…
Read full complaint
ON 5/27/05, THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING ON DASH TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CLANKING IN THE FRONT END AS THE DRIVER APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, THEN TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. THERE WERE NORMAL DRIVING AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED FRONT WHEEL BEARING ISSUES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AS A RESULT OF THE SPRING BREAKAGE. THE DRIVER NOTICED A WORN PATTERN ON THE TIRE WHERE THE SPRING HAD BEEN RUBBING. THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. UPON THE LAST INSPECTION THERE WHERE NO REPORTS OF A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT COIL SPRING SURROUNDING THE STRUT BROKE AND THE SHARP STEEL EDGE FROM THE BRAKE GOUGED THE TIRE WEARING A GROOVE IN IT AND AFTER A SHORT TIME CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSED SMOKE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10122493
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2005
Seat Belts
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENING. *MR THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10124720
22,000 miles · May 20, 2005
Exterior Lighting
DT: 1999 WITH 22,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH IT SUNK INTO THE DASHBOARD. AND COULDN'T GET THE FLASHER TO GO OFF. CONSUMER TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING BROKE BEHIND THE SWITCH, WHEN THE SWITCHED WAS PUSHED. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR TO T…
Read full complaint
DT: 1999 WITH 22,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH IT SUNK INTO THE DASHBOARD. AND COULDN'T GET THE FLASHER TO GO OFF. CONSUMER TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING BROKE BEHIND THE SWITCH, WHEN THE SWITCHED WAS PUSHED. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HAD REPAIRS DONE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10121671
35,800 miles · May 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DISCOVERED DURING A VEHICLE INSPECTION THAT OIL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE...NEAR THE HEAD AND INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA. PLUS HAVE BEEN SMELLING BURNING OIL THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM...OCCASIONALLY. AT THE TIME, VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY...CONTACT MANUFACTURE FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT…
Read full complaint
DISCOVERED DURING A VEHICLE INSPECTION THAT OIL WAS LEAKING AROUND THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE...NEAR THE HEAD AND INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA. PLUS HAVE BEEN SMELLING BURNING OIL THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM...OCCASIONALLY. AT THE TIME, VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY...CONTACT MANUFACTURE FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT ASSISTANCE WAS DENIED.
NHTSA ODI #10120241
4,777 miles · May 9, 2005
Power Train
OCCASIONALLY, VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR...VEHICLE WILL TRY TO START...TACHOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE, BUT THE ENGINE ENDS UP STALLING. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY HAS TO BE HELD IN THE START POSITION LONGER THAN USUAL...ABOUT 5 SECONDS. TOOK TO VARIOUS DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SEVERAL …
Read full complaint
OCCASIONALLY, VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR...VEHICLE WILL TRY TO START...TACHOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE, BUT THE ENGINE ENDS UP STALLING. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY HAS TO BE HELD IN THE START POSITION LONGER THAN USUAL...ABOUT 5 SECONDS. TOOK TO VARIOUS DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NOTHING WRONG COULD BE FOUND BY THEM. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF MANUFACTURE'S WARRANTY...CONTACTED MANUFACTURE FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT NONE GIVEN.
NHTSA ODI #10120239
10 miles · May 9, 2005
Parking Brake
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN FLORIDA...FROM DAY ONE, THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT...WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A HILL WHEN PARKING BRAKE LEVER FULLY ENGAGED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER SERVICE CENTERS SEVERAL TIMES...PARKING BRAKE WOULD WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT WOULD RETURN TO PREVIOUS STATE OF NOT WORKING...INEFF…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN FLORIDA...FROM DAY ONE, THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NEVER WORKED RIGHT...WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A HILL WHEN PARKING BRAKE LEVER FULLY ENGAGED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER SERVICE CENTERS SEVERAL TIMES...PARKING BRAKE WOULD WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT WOULD RETURN TO PREVIOUS STATE OF NOT WORKING...INEFFECTIVE. FINALLY FIXED MYSELF...PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE BRAKE ADJUSTER SCREW.
NHTSA ODI #10120238
10 miles · May 9, 2005
Structure
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN FLORIDA...FROM DAY 1 THERE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE A WINDOW IS LEFT OPEN. TOOK TO VARIOUS SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM...VARIOUS THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE BY THE SERVICE DEPT., BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. VEHICLE I…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN FLORIDA...FROM DAY 1 THERE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE A WINDOW IS LEFT OPEN. TOOK TO VARIOUS SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM...VARIOUS THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE BY THE SERVICE DEPT., BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF MANUFACTURE WARRANTY...HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURE WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO HELP OFFERED.
NHTSA ODI #10120236
7,810 miles · May 9, 2005
Visibility
ON THE WAY FROM WORK ONE DAY AFTER A RAIN SHOWER, I USE THE POWER DRIVER WINDOW TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW FOR SOME FRESH AIR. WHEN I POWER ROLLED UP THE WINDOW, THERE WERE DEEP SCRATCHES ON VARIOUS PLACES ON THE WINDOW. TSB#98831520 TOOK TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS FIXED BUT THREE DAYS LATER IT WA…
Read full complaint
ON THE WAY FROM WORK ONE DAY AFTER A RAIN SHOWER, I USE THE POWER DRIVER WINDOW TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW FOR SOME FRESH AIR. WHEN I POWER ROLLED UP THE WINDOW, THERE WERE DEEP SCRATCHES ON VARIOUS PLACES ON THE WINDOW. TSB#98831520 TOOK TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS FIXED BUT THREE DAYS LATER IT WAS SCRATCHED AGAIN IN THE SAME MANNER. TOOK BACK TO DEALER SERVICE TO REPAIR...OKAY. LATER OTHER THREE WINDOW HAD SCRATCHES DUE TO USE. ALL REPLACED, BUT NOW THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS (PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR AND DRIVER REAR) HAVE SCRATCHES. THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. NOW THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE FOR ASSISTANCE BUT NO HELP OFFERED.
NHTSA ODI #10120235
6,118 miles · May 9, 2005
Seats
I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE NEW IN 1998 IN FLORIDA. LESS THAN 5 MONTHS LATER, THE POWER DRIVER SEAT BECOMES LOOSE...MOVES WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. AFTER SERVICE VISIT, DRIVER SEAT IS STILL LOOSE. MANUFACTURE WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED ON THIS VEHICLE...CONTACTED THE MANUFACT…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE NEW IN 1998 IN FLORIDA. LESS THAN 5 MONTHS LATER, THE POWER DRIVER SEAT BECOMES LOOSE...MOVES WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. AFTER SERVICE VISIT, DRIVER SEAT IS STILL LOOSE. MANUFACTURE WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED ON THIS VEHICLE...CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE, BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10120234
16,144 miles · May 9, 2005
Structure
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AT A FLORIDA DEALERSHIP ON 11/1998. LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER THE MATERIAL ON THE DOOR PANELS WAS COMING OFF...DETACHING...THE VINYL LIFTED OFF THE UPPER DOOR PANEL. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO REPLACE ON 09/2002 UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. MATERIAL ON DOOR PANEL IS NOW COMING OFF THE DOOR PANE…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AT A FLORIDA DEALERSHIP ON 11/1998. LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER THE MATERIAL ON THE DOOR PANELS WAS COMING OFF...DETACHING...THE VINYL LIFTED OFF THE UPPER DOOR PANEL. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO REPLACE ON 09/2002 UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. MATERIAL ON DOOR PANEL IS NOW COMING OFF THE DOOR PANEL AGAIN. MANUFACTURE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
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.
1999 Oldsmobile Alero Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration