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
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR HAS BURNED OUT TWICE. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF IN REVERSE, ROLLED BACK HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE CONSUMER HAS TO SPRAY IT WITH 40/40 WD BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTH…
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THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR HAS BURNED OUT TWICE. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF IN REVERSE, ROLLED BACK HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH. UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION THE CONSUMER HAS TO SPRAY IT WITH 40/40 WD BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #10092139
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2004
Exterior Lighting
MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TWO DOOR HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND TURN INDICATORS. OFTEN TIMES WHEN THE LEVER IS ENGAGED THE BLINKERS WILL MAKE A CLICK SOUND AS THEY DO WHEN THEY ARE WORKING AND FAIL TO CONTINUE BLINKING. THE SOLUTION I HAVE FOUND IS TO PUSH THE EMERGENCY FLASHER BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD.…
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MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TWO DOOR HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND TURN INDICATORS. OFTEN TIMES WHEN THE LEVER IS ENGAGED THE BLINKERS WILL MAKE A CLICK SOUND AS THEY DO WHEN THEY ARE WORKING AND FAIL TO CONTINUE BLINKING. THE SOLUTION I HAVE FOUND IS TO PUSH THE EMERGENCY FLASHER BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS SOMETIMES EFFECTIVE IN GETTING THE BLINKERS TO BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. HOWEVER, WHEN IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, I AM UNABLE TO PROPERLY SIGNAL FOR TURNS. THIS HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS CAUSED PROBLEMS FOR ME AT STOP SIGNS AND UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING (NOT SURE IF IT'S RELATED) FOR THE WINDOWS HAS CAUSED MY WINDOWS TO NOT WORK. I'M SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IF I AM UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS, AND MY BLINKERS DON'T WORK, THEN THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO WAY TO SIGNAL MY TURNS AND LANE CHANGES PROPERLY. THE BLINKERS FUSE HAS NEVER BLOWN. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND BLINKERS ARE OBVIOUSLY RELATED FROM THE SOUND AND FACT THAT THEY SEEM TO CAUSE THE OTHER TO FAIL OR BEGIN TO WORK. I HAVE DONE A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2000 YEAR OF MY CAR. OBVIOUSLY, THAT DOESN'T HELP MY SITUATION. PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION THAT IS LESS COSTLY THAN THE COLLISION THAT IS IMMINENT FROM THESE FAILURES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10090865
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AN SAW THE RIGHT TIRE FLAT. A MECHANIC INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOT NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091755
60,400 miles · Sep 10, 2004
Electrical System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SECURITY LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK WHEN WE GOT BACK FROM A TRIP. WE TOOK IT IN AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK REVEALED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR WAS BAD. SO THAT WAS REPLACED. (CODE 00327). *AK BUT NOW THE LIGHT STILL KEEPS COMING ON FOR THE SAME CODE EVEN THOUGH IT'S ALREADY BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #10090795
58,000 miles · Aug 30, 2004
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD WARNIG LAMPS WORKING INTERMITTENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088832
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2004
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED DURING OPERATION. AUTHORIZED DEALER IDENTIFIED FAULTY HAZARD SWITCH AS ROOT CASE AND REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10088473
74,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE CHECKED DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND LEAKED RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO A BAD…
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CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE CHECKED DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND LEAKED RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO A BAD CHIP IN THE MOTHER BOARD. THE CAUSE OF THE RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE LEAK WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10075819
59,000 miles · Jul 29, 2004
Air Bags
DEAR SIRS, CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH A CERTAIN MODEL OF CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VINYL DASH OF THIS CAR WILL PEEL BACK AND OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ONLY GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHY WAS TH…
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DEAR SIRS, CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH A CERTAIN MODEL OF CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VINYL DASH OF THIS CAR WILL PEEL BACK AND OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ONLY GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHY WAS THIS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN DUE THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OBVIOUSLY DAMAGED. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE COULD MAKE THE AIRBAG DEPLOY FOR NO REASON A INJURE THE PASSENGER OR EVEN WORSE, NOT DEPLOY UPON A FRONTAL COLLISION. AGAIN I WAS NOT GIVEN AN ANSWER ON WHY THIS WAS NOT A CONCERN. I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS AND WAS CONCERNED THAT WHAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN NOT NEEDED AND THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE SEAT. EVEN IF THE CHILD WAS OLD ENOUGH TO BE IN THE FRONT AND WAS IN THERE SEAT BELT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT ANYTHING TO STOP ANY INJURY TO THE CHILD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082950
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2004
Power Train
PROBLEMS WITH 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TRANSMISSION.*MR RECENTLY THE CONSUMER'S CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A VERY LOUD NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT A PIN BROKE IN THE OVERDRIVE GEARSHIFT AND SENT PARTS INTO THE PLANETARY GEAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10087653
66,000 miles · Jul 27, 2004
Exterior Lighting
INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHTS, AND HIGH BEAM LIGHT FAILED TO FUNCTION. ON SOME OCCASIONS THERE WAS A SLIGHT POP BEFORE THE WARNING LIGHTS FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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
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