IllustrationWHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD.*AK.
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
What owners actually said
462 reportsTURN SIGNALS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THEY EITHER FAIL WHILE THE LEVER IS ACTIVATED OR WILL NOT FUNCTION ON LEVER COMMAND. TURN SIGNALS FAIL AT VARIOUS TIMES AND THEN PROPERLY FUNCTION AGAIN WITH NO CONSISTENCY. VARIOUS SHOPS HAVE NO ANSWER TO PROBLEM, UNLESS THEY COMPLETELY FAIL.
WHILE PLACING CAR IN REVERSE THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AND HAS NOT RAN SINCE. NOT HAPPY AT ALL STILL OWE A LOT OF MONEY AND CAR DOESN'T RUN!! NOT WORTH THE MONEY. *NLM
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LEAKS WATER WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN. CAUSES DIFFERENT DASH BOARD GAUGES TO MALFUNCTION
THE CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD THE RIM WAS CRACKED AND THE TIRE LOST AIR. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS THE TIRES SLIPPED ON THE RIM AND HAD BROKEN THE SEAL. THE TIRE DEFLATED SOMEWHAT, AND CAUSED THE AUTO LEVEL ALARM TO G…
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THE CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD THE RIM WAS CRACKED AND THE TIRE LOST AIR. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS THE TIRES SLIPPED ON THE RIM AND HAD BROKEN THE SEAL. THE TIRE DEFLATED SOMEWHAT, AND CAUSED THE AUTO LEVEL ALARM TO GO OFF. THE ALLOY RIMS BY THE MANUFACTURER WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
COOLANT LEAKING AROUND THE ENGINE. MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS COMMON FOR THE 3400 ENGINE BECAUSE THERE IS NO GASKET, JUST A BEAD OF CAULK.*AK
THE COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO THE OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, PENCE OLDSMOBILE, APRIL 24, 2003, DUE TO ENGINE TICKING. ADVISED OIL APPEARED TO HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED IN 1 YR. I ADVISED THE SERVICE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS LESS THAN 3000 MILES. OIL WAS "GUNKY" AND THICK LIKE VASELINE. VEHICLE ALSO LOOSING COOLAN…
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THE COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO THE OIL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, PENCE OLDSMOBILE, APRIL 24, 2003, DUE TO ENGINE TICKING. ADVISED OIL APPEARED TO HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED IN 1 YR. I ADVISED THE SERVICE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 3 MONTHS LESS THAN 3000 MILES. OIL WAS "GUNKY" AND THICK LIKE VASELINE. VEHICLE ALSO LOOSING COOLANT. OIL WAS CHANGED AND ENGINE TO CLEAN OF GUNK ON 04/24/03. 07/5/03, COOLANT TANK LOW 15 MILES LATER COOLANT TANK REFILLED AGAIN.. 07/06/03, VEHICLE PARKED. 07/7/03, BEFORE LEAVING FOR WORK, COOLANT REFILLED AGAIN. NO LEAKAGE ON GROUND. AFTER ABOUT TRAVELING ABOUT 8 MILES, WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHILCE STARTED TO TREMBLE & MAKE SOUNDS. DROVE APPROX 1 MILE TO EMPLOYERS PARKING LOT AND CALLED TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT TO. DEALER SERVICE DEPT INFORMED ME OIL PUMP O-RING, INTAKE GASKET, VALVA COVER GASKET AND PCV VALVE NEEDED REPLACING AND THERE COULD POSSIBLEY BE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE.. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP ON 07/11/03 BETWEEN 5:30-6PM, DRIVEN 20 MILES AND PARKED UNTIL 07/12/03 UNTIL 5:30PM..VEHILCE DRIVEN ANOTHER 20 MILES AND COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. COOLANT REFILLED. SUN 07/13/03, VEHICLE DRIVEN 10 MILES AND COOLANT LIGHT ON AGAIN. COOLANT WAS REFILLED VEHICLE PARKED UNTIL 07/14/03. VEHICLE DRIVEN BACK TO DEALER ON 07/14/03, AND LEFT WITH SERVICE DEPT.. I HAD JUST PAID $757.80 FOR REPAIRS AND 24 HRS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS DOING THE SAME THING. APPROX 1HR AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS NOW GONE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. COMPLAINT MADE TO OLDMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT NO ACTION TAKEN. THE VEHILCE HAD 63000 MILES AND SERVICE AS REQUIRED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTORER.. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS LOW, PRIOR TO WATER PUMP PROBLEM OF 07/12/03, THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. *AK
DASHBOARD IS PEELING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
DASHBOARD IS PEELING. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN FRONT END COLLISION. CAR TOTALED.*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.