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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 →

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

What owners actually said

462 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TOOK VEHICLE OFF OF LOT AND NEXT DAY HAD SEVERE BRAKE VIBRATION. REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS. SAME THING HAPPENED IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1999. PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008521

72,000 miles · Mar 6, 2003
Electrical System

THIS COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT NUMBERS 563702, 712756, 724936. LATE LAST YEAR, I HAD TO HAVE THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER AND SECURITY CHIP IN THE IGNITION/KEY SYSTEM REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS (PROBLEM WITH FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICE) AND NOW THE KEY CYLINDER WHICH WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED WAS APP…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT NUMBERS 563702, 712756, 724936. LATE LAST YEAR, I HAD TO HAVE THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER AND SECURITY CHIP IN THE IGNITION/KEY SYSTEM REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS (PROBLEM WITH FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICE) AND NOW THE KEY CYLINDER WHICH WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED WAS APPARENTLY NOT REPLACED. NOW I CAN'T START MY CAR WITH THE KEY. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN, LIKE PUTTING YOUR CAR KEY IN ANOTHER CAR. IT WOULDN'T TURN THE LOCK. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF ALL THE WAY BUT THE KEY WOULD COME OUT. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER GM CARS THAT I USE PROFESSIONALLY. THE CAR KEY COMES OUT FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, OR WHEN THE CAR ISN'T TURNED ALL THE WAY OFF.... IT'S NOT A CONSTANT PROBLEM BUT IT IS A PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008515

41,000 miles · Feb 13, 2003
VisibilityFire

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE. THIS WAS DUE TO THE REAR DEFOGGER MODULAR. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN THE BACK. IT COST 4,000 TO REPAIR. MY REAR DEFOGGER WAS REPAIRED AND ABOUT A MONTH LATER, IT WOULDN'T WORK AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS STARTING TO MEL…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE. THIS WAS DUE TO THE REAR DEFOGGER MODULAR. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN THE BACK. IT COST 4,000 TO REPAIR. MY REAR DEFOGGER WAS REPAIRED AND ABOUT A MONTH LATER, IT WOULDN'T WORK AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS STARTING TO MELT AGAIN. WE ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A BANGING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WE CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10005812

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2003
Electrical System

THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10006834

39,151 miles · Feb 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

1999 ALERO 3400 SFI ENGINE W/39186 MILES. LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON. PONTIAC DELAERSHIP SAYS LOWER INTAKE GASKET LEAKING. ORANGE ANTIFREEZE DEXCOOL GETTING INTO ENGINE OIL. OIL LOOKS LIKE COFFEE W/CREAMER. CAR NOT DRIVEN SINCE 12/02/2002 DUE TO OLDS DEALER CLOSING DOORS AFTER 36 YEARS AND UNABLE TO GET THEM TO HONOR THE EX…

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1999 ALERO 3400 SFI ENGINE W/39186 MILES. LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON. PONTIAC DELAERSHIP SAYS LOWER INTAKE GASKET LEAKING. ORANGE ANTIFREEZE DEXCOOL GETTING INTO ENGINE OIL. OIL LOOKS LIKE COFFEE W/CREAMER. CAR NOT DRIVEN SINCE 12/02/2002 DUE TO OLDS DEALER CLOSING DOORS AFTER 36 YEARS AND UNABLE TO GET THEM TO HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED THRU THEM. BBB AND STATE ATTY GENERAL'S OFF ICE OF NO TO HELP TO LOCATE/HAVE THEM HONOR WARRANTY. PRETTY MUCH THEY RAN OFF W/MY $.

NHTSA ODI #10005548

39,151 miles · Feb 9, 2003
Steering

POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE FOR GRINDING NOISE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN FOR WHINING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SINCE OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP CLOSED THEIR DOORS AFTER 36 YEARS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED THROUGH THEM IS NOT VALID AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. BBB AND STATE ATTY GENERAL'S OFFICE…

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POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE FOR GRINDING NOISE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN FOR WHINING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SINCE OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP CLOSED THEIR DOORS AFTER 36 YEARS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED THROUGH THEM IS NOT VALID AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. BBB AND STATE ATTY GENERAL'S OFFICE WERE OF NO HELP WITH FINDING/HAVING DELAERSHIP HONOR THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10005544

79,500 miles · Feb 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WITH A 3.4L V6 ENGINE THAT LEAKS COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. MY DEALER IS JIM MUIR OLDSMOBILE, WHO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY CLAIM NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE PROBLEM. MY FATHER, WHO WORKS AT G…

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I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WITH A 3.4L V6 ENGINE THAT LEAKS COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. MY DEALER IS JIM MUIR OLDSMOBILE, WHO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY CLAIM NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THE PROBLEM. MY FATHER, WHO WORKS AT GM SAYS THAT AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE HE KNOWS IN HIS OFFICE HAVE HAD REPAIRS DONE. GM NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND START FIXING THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10005210

30,000 miles · Jan 27, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

UPPER OR LOWER INTAKE GASKET LEAK. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3.4L V-6. NOTICED COOLANT LOSS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10003510

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 · Dec 9, 2002
Fuel System, Other

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING GAS FUMES FILLS THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION`. PH

NHTSA ODI #8023947

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.