IllustrationBECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE DESIGN FLOW, INTAKE GASKET FAILED CAUSING WATER TO GET INTO ENGINE. JB
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 reportsENGINE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE GOING INTO GEAR AT 45 TO 50 MPH, BUT VEHICLE WILL EVENUTALLY GO INTO GEAR. MOST PROBLEM IS WHEN GOING INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH A FACTORY REBUILT ONE. ALSO, AS SOON AS VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE LOT REBUILT TRANSMISSION HESITATED T…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE GOING INTO GEAR AT 45 TO 50 MPH, BUT VEHICLE WILL EVENUTALLY GO INTO GEAR. MOST PROBLEM IS WHEN GOING INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH A FACTORY REBUILT ONE. ALSO, AS SOON AS VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE LOT REBUILT TRANSMISSION HESITATED TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR. DEALER THEN STATED IT WAS THE PRESSURE VALVE ASSEMBLY. *AK *YH
THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE ADEQUATELY. IT ROLLS FORWARD AND BACKWARD ANYTIME IT IS ADJUSTED AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED INTO PLACE AFTER EACH ADJUSTMENT TO PREVENT ROLLING. THE POSSIBLE DANGERS INCLUDED LOSING FOOTING WHEN STEPPING INTO THE VEHICLE TO SIT DOWN AND THE SEAT ROLLS BACK AND ROLLING FORWARD WHEN B…
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THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE ADEQUATELY. IT ROLLS FORWARD AND BACKWARD ANYTIME IT IS ADJUSTED AND MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED INTO PLACE AFTER EACH ADJUSTMENT TO PREVENT ROLLING. THE POSSIBLE DANGERS INCLUDED LOSING FOOTING WHEN STEPPING INTO THE VEHICLE TO SIT DOWN AND THE SEAT ROLLS BACK AND ROLLING FORWARD WHEN BRAKING INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD.*AK
THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHILE TRYING TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW. THE BODY SHOP DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE THE GLUE COMING UNSEALED FROM THE WINDOW AND ITS CLIP ON ONE SIDE OF THE WINDOW AND THE OTHER CLIP BROKE FROM THE PRESSURE. THE 4 CLIPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE INDIVIDUALLY; 2 MUST BE PU…
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHILE TRYING TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW. THE BODY SHOP DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE THE GLUE COMING UNSEALED FROM THE WINDOW AND ITS CLIP ON ONE SIDE OF THE WINDOW AND THE OTHER CLIP BROKE FROM THE PRESSURE. THE 4 CLIPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE INDIVIDUALLY; 2 MUST BE PURCHASES WITH THE GLASS ON WHICH THEY COME ATTACHED AND 2 WITH THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR. THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THE REGULATOR PARTS, BUT NO REPORTS OF A DEFECT OR PROBLEM. THIS WINDOW IS CROSS-REFERENCED TO THE 1999/2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM, ALSO. CONSEQUENTLY, I AM WITHOUT A WINDOW IN THE FALL RAINY SEASON AND AM FACED WITH OVER $700 IN MANUFACTURER'S PART REPLACEMENTS.
BATTERY DIED @ GAS STATION(6YR/75K REPL MODEL)/WHEN RPL'D FOUND ACID ON ABS MODULE/BRAKE LINES UNDER BATTERY.GM CASE #C05363927-GM WON'T REPAIR OR PAY FOR DIAG OF BRAKE SYS OR REIMBURSE $75 FOR BATTERY THAT WAS UNDER 2.5 YRS OLD(LABEL ON BATTERY SAYS 6YR-75000 MILE BATTERY).MULTIPLE OCCURENCES NOTED ON NHTSA COMPLAINTS DATABASE …
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BATTERY DIED @ GAS STATION(6YR/75K REPL MODEL)/WHEN RPL'D FOUND ACID ON ABS MODULE/BRAKE LINES UNDER BATTERY.GM CASE #C05363927-GM WON'T REPAIR OR PAY FOR DIAG OF BRAKE SYS OR REIMBURSE $75 FOR BATTERY THAT WAS UNDER 2.5 YRS OLD(LABEL ON BATTERY SAYS 6YR-75000 MILE BATTERY).MULTIPLE OCCURENCES NOTED ON NHTSA COMPLAINTS DATABASE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE GM IS AWARE OF PROBLEM ALREADY.ONE CUSTOMER ODI ID #868902 HAD ACID EAT HOLE IN BRAKE LINE.OTHER OCCURENCES ON FILE ALREADY.*AK
PREMATURE WEAR OF ROTORS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE STOPPING. DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME APART, CAUSING TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
POWER STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.*JB
BATTERY EXPLODED ,CAUSING ACID TO LEAK ONTO POSITIVE TERMINAL, RESULTING IN DASHBOARD LIGHTS GOING OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*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.