TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
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
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.
What owners actually said
462 reportsABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND MY FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN HALF AND DESTROYED THE TIRE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED AND REPAIRED AT A SHOP. WITH COST OF NEW TIRE IT WAS NEARLY 400 DOLLARS. JUST A FEW DAYS AGO NOW I HAD MY CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WENT TO MOVE SOME BOXES AND NOTICED A PIECE OF COIL LA…
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ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND MY FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN HALF AND DESTROYED THE TIRE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED AND REPAIRED AT A SHOP. WITH COST OF NEW TIRE IT WAS NEARLY 400 DOLLARS. JUST A FEW DAYS AGO NOW I HAD MY CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WENT TO MOVE SOME BOXES AND NOTICED A PIECE OF COIL LAYING UNDER MY CAR BY THE BACK RIGHT TIRE. THIS COIL HAS SNAPPED AS WELL WHILE JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOTICE IT THIS TIME BEFORE I DROVE OFF. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THERE IS NO REASON THE COIL SPRINGS SHOULD BE RANDOMLY BREAKING LIKE THIS. *TR
I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 99 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD BUTTON WHICH STARTED OUT WITH A LOUD BUZZING WHILE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED. I COULD SOMETIMES GET THE BUZZING TO STOP BY PUSHING THE HAZARD BUTTON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TURN SIGNAL. NOW IT'S AT THE POINT WHERE MY SIGNALS DO…
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I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 99 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD BUTTON WHICH STARTED OUT WITH A LOUD BUZZING WHILE THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED. I COULD SOMETIMES GET THE BUZZING TO STOP BY PUSHING THE HAZARD BUTTON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TURN SIGNAL. NOW IT'S AT THE POINT WHERE MY SIGNALS DON'T EVEN WORK 95% OF THE TIME. I'LL START MY CAR AND THE FIRST TIME I USE THEM THEY MIGHT WORK, BUT AS SOON AS I TURN THE WHEEL THEY STOP WORKING AND DO NOT WORK FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. THE HAZARDS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED. ONLINE RESEARCH HAS PULLED UP NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : RQ04005 WHICH STATES THAT GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR 1999-2000 ALERO SINCE IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. HOWEVER, FURTHER SEARCHES HAVE FOUND THAT RQ04005 EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY 2010. THE DEFECT ACKNOWLEDGED IN RECALL 03V327 IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ISSUE ACKNOWLEDGED IN NHTSA ACTION# RQ04005, SO WHY IS THERE AN ALLOWED EXPIRATION DATE FOR THE REMEDY OF THE PROBLEM? *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DURING THE FAILURE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO DISPLAY RANDOM SPEEDS RAN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DURING THE FAILURE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO DISPLAY RANDOM SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0 MPH TO 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,213.
I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, SEVERAL TIMES MY SECURITY LIGHTS AND CAME ON AND YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR, IT WILL FLASH FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN HOPEFULLY IT WILL START AND NOT START FLASHING AGAIN. I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND SPEND $$$$$ MANY DOLLARS AND STILL I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM , I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH …
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I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, SEVERAL TIMES MY SECURITY LIGHTS AND CAME ON AND YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR, IT WILL FLASH FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN HOPEFULLY IT WILL START AND NOT START FLASHING AGAIN. I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND SPEND $$$$$ MANY DOLLARS AND STILL I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM , I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH NOW BECAUSE I AM SCARE THAT IT WANT START, GMC NEEDS TO DOI A RECALL . *TR
I AM ASHAMED TO SAY I OWN A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I BOUGHT IT LAST YEARS AS A BACK-UP CAR, SO WE WOULD HAVE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ONE OF OUR NEWER VEHICLE HAVE PROBLEMS. I GAVE $2000 FOR IT AND HAVE SPENT JUST AS MUCH ON REPAIRS. THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY THOUGH EVERY FUSE IN IT HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE ANTI-LOCK …
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I AM ASHAMED TO SAY I OWN A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I BOUGHT IT LAST YEARS AS A BACK-UP CAR, SO WE WOULD HAVE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ONE OF OUR NEWER VEHICLE HAVE PROBLEMS. I GAVE $2000 FOR IT AND HAVE SPENT JUST AS MUCH ON REPAIRS. THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY THOUGH EVERY FUSE IN IT HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE ANTI-LOCK BREAK LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON. THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUT BROKE AND BLEW OUT THE TIRE IN THE PROCESS. I WAS FORTUNATE I WASN'T KILLED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AND NOW THE HEATER BLOWER HAS STARTED MAKING AN AWFUL NOISE, SO IT WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. IN ADDITION THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT STAYS ON, I HAVE HAD IT TO NUMEROUS SHOPS AND NO ONE CAN DETERMINE WHY IT WON'T RESET. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH FROM ALL OF THIS ARE A CONSIDERABLE DISTRACTION AS WELL AS ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY POINT TO. I AM APPALLED THAT IN THE USA WE PUT A STAMP OF APPROVAL ON SUCH A HORRIBLE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH ONE THAT RUNS PROPERLY. IT IS ABSURD AND DANGEROUS. I AM FORTUNATE I WAS NOT GOING A HIGH SPEED WHEN EITHER STRUT BROKE...OH NEARLY FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE STRUT ALSO BROKE JUST THIS WEEK. MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS, WHO'S NAME DO I GIVE TO MY LAWYER WHEN I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND SOMEONE IS HURT? IT IS LIKELY, GIVEN THE HAZARDS THAT COME WITH THIS CAR THAT EVENTUALLY SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN. I JUST PRAY I WON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IT MUCH. *TR
POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION…
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POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION MY PART-TIME SIGNAL LIGHTS THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAD TO REPLACE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSER I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR 5 YRS MYSELF AND ITS SO NOT WORTH THE MONEY I HAVE PUT INTO IT THE DATES VARY BUT THE FIRST WAS IN 2004 AND THE LAST WAS 2009. *TR
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR USED IN 2003, I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT FAILURE. RECENTLY THIS HAS AFFECTED MY BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HAZARDS AND SIGNALS WILL NO LONGER WORK UNLESS IN CASES OF EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGES ( HEAT ON FULL BLAST OR A/C ON FULL BLAST). ALSO THE SIGNAL LIGHTS CONTINUE T…
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SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR USED IN 2003, I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT FAILURE. RECENTLY THIS HAS AFFECTED MY BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, HAZARDS AND SIGNALS WILL NO LONGER WORK UNLESS IN CASES OF EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGES ( HEAT ON FULL BLAST OR A/C ON FULL BLAST). ALSO THE SIGNAL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO CLICK EVEN WHEN NOT ON. [XXX] *TR
1999 ALERO PARKED IN GARAGE WITH 110000 MILE ON IT. I LIVE IN ND . BAKE UP AND FRONT LEFT TIRE BLOWOUT COIL SPRING HAD BUSTED I LOOKED AT I DID NOT SEE ANY RUST
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD A "SPECIAL POLICY" FOR THE FAILURE, BUT WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD A "SPECIAL POLICY" FOR THE FAILURE, BUT WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 47,000.
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.
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