IllustrationFOR UNKNOWN REASONS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS AND THE CAR WILL EITHER NOT START OR WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME CUTTING POWER TO THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. CAUSING A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
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 reportsSECUIRTY LIGHT ON 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START FOR OVER 10 MINS. THIS CAUSES ME TO FUEL MY CAR WITH THE CAR ENGINE RUNNING BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF IT NOT STARTING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 3 TRYS BEFORE IT STARTS AND THAT IS OVER 30 MINUTES OF WAIT TIME. ONE DAY IT MAY NOT START AT ALL.…
Read full complaint
SECUIRTY LIGHT ON 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START FOR OVER 10 MINS. THIS CAUSES ME TO FUEL MY CAR WITH THE CAR ENGINE RUNNING BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF IT NOT STARTING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 3 TRYS BEFORE IT STARTS AND THAT IS OVER 30 MINUTES OF WAIT TIME. ONE DAY IT MAY NOT START AT ALL. ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER ALERO OWNERS. OLDSMOBILE NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY SECURITY LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. IT LOCKS DOWN MY FUEL SYSTEM. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX IN OCTOBER OF 2006. IT WAS FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I BOUGHT IT FROM. ABOUT $500.00 IS WHAT I PAID TO GET IT FIX. ON JULY4,2009, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. IT MALFUNCTION AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS AGAIN. THERE ARE LOTS OF PE…
Read full complaint
MY SECURITY LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. IT LOCKS DOWN MY FUEL SYSTEM. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX IN OCTOBER OF 2006. IT WAS FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I BOUGHT IT FROM. ABOUT $500.00 IS WHAT I PAID TO GET IT FIX. ON JULY4,2009, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. IT MALFUNCTION AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS AGAIN. THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I GOT. PLEASE HELP ME AND OTHERS WITH THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT OUR FAULT THAT THEY MADE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR REGULATOR AND MOTOR. IN ADDITION, THE RUBBER CHANNEL THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE WINDOW WAS NOT TIGHT AND COULD CAUSE THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT AND SHATTER. THE WINDOW FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE ALS…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR REGULATOR AND MOTOR. IN ADDITION, THE RUBBER CHANNEL THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE WINDOW WAS NOT TIGHT AND COULD CAUSE THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT AND SHATTER. THE WINDOW FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS FAILING. HE HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STEERING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE HIS COMPLAINT TO BE A PRIORITY BECAUSE HE IS A VIETNAM VETERAN WITH MULTIPLE PHYSICAL CHALLENGES AND A LIMITED INCOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,375 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 1.MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING. 2. ALL OF THE WINDOWS FAILING BY FALLING OFF THE TRACKS OR THE REGULATOR ITSELF FAILING. THREE TIMES FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW! 3.THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY, CLICKING CONSTANTLY. 4.THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING 5. THE INTER…
Read full complaint
MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 1.MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING. 2. ALL OF THE WINDOWS FAILING BY FALLING OFF THE TRACKS OR THE REGULATOR ITSELF FAILING. THREE TIMES FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW! 3.THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY, CLICKING CONSTANTLY. 4.THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING 5. THE INTERIOR LEATHER CURLED UP ON THE DASH, WHICH I NOTICE ON MANY OTHER ALERO'S I'VE SEEN. *TR
GAS GAUGE IS ALWAYS OFF, I HAVE TO FILL THE GAS TANK UP ATLEAST 2-3 A DAY. MAYBE THERE IS A LEAK FROM RECALL, OR THE RECALL FORM THE GAS TANK. ALSO SPENT $700.00 FOR A RECALLED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WINDOWS FELL OFF THE TRACKS, SO I HAD A FRIEND PRY THEM UP AND HE GOT THE WINDOWS TO STAY UP, BUT YOU COULD NOT USE EITHER WINDOW. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE WINDOWS FIXED FOR A WHILE UNTIL I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET THE DRIVER'S WINDOW FIXED IN MAY 2008 WHICH COST $385.00. TH…
Read full complaint
BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WINDOWS FELL OFF THE TRACKS, SO I HAD A FRIEND PRY THEM UP AND HE GOT THE WINDOWS TO STAY UP, BUT YOU COULD NOT USE EITHER WINDOW. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE WINDOWS FIXED FOR A WHILE UNTIL I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET THE DRIVER'S WINDOW FIXED IN MAY 2008 WHICH COST $385.00. THEY REPLACED THE REGULATOR. ON 12/4/2008, IT HAPPENED YET AGAIN TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD FOR 60 DAYS LABOR/30DAYS PARTS, SO I AM YET AGAIN NOT ABLE TO USE EITHER WINDOW. I WAS TOLD BY QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IF I GOT IT FIXED YET AGAIN, IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN YET AGAIN. I DID NOT SEE THIS DEFECT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST HOWEVER. *TR
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. I CAN GET THEM TO START WORKING AGAIN SOMETIMES BY ACTIVATING THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THEN TRYING THE TURN SIGNALS AGAIN, BUT SOMETIMES THE HAZARD LIGHTS ALSO FAIL TO FUNCTION. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING IS RELEASING SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN …
Read full complaint
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. I CAN GET THEM TO START WORKING AGAIN SOMETIMES BY ACTIVATING THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THEN TRYING THE TURN SIGNALS AGAIN, BUT SOMETIMES THE HAZARD LIGHTS ALSO FAIL TO FUNCTION. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING IS RELEASING SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THE TURN SIGNALS FAIL AFTERWARD. THE HAZARD SWITCH BECAME STUCK AND WAS REPLACED BY THE OLDS DEALER BACK IN 2001 OR 2002. AFTER THAT I COULD HEAR A MECHANICAL NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER I TURNED THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION AND WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THEY SAID A SPRING HAD COME LOOSE AND THERE WAS NO SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULD COST $250 TO REPAIR, SO I LET IT GO AND NEVER REPAIRED. *TR
CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TWO DAYS AGO. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED A YEAR AGO. DEALERSHIP STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A CRACKED ENGINE--WHICH MEANS A NEW MOTOR. CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. WE ARE D…
Read full complaint
CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT TWO DAYS AGO. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED A YEAR AGO. DEALERSHIP STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT WE MAY HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A CRACKED ENGINE--WHICH MEANS A NEW MOTOR. CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. WE ARE DEVASTATED AS THIS IS OUR DAUGHTER'S CAR AND SHE IS ABOUT TO BE A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE. THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON HER WHILE TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE-AT NIGHT. *TR
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.