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2001 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 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

214 reports with mileage · 150 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports5 fire reports13 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
121,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECIDED TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT CRASHED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECIDED TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION LATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RESULTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V4000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10636907

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED, BUT THE CRASH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED, BUT THE CRASH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/29/14*CN UPDATED 4/23/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10633311

67,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CRASH OR MAKE CONTACT WITH ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. DURING THE INCIDENT THE IGNITION SWITCH MOVED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CRASH OR MAKE CONTACT WITH ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. DURING THE INCIDENT THE IGNITION SWITCH MOVED TO THE RUN POSITION INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10609653

124,000 miles · Aug 11, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON 7-2-06 WHILE GOING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE AND LANDED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIUM. NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE REAR AND TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA ODI #10165240

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Air BagsCrash

RE 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER WANTS MORE RESPONSES. *BF THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10113453

65,000 miles · May 13, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIB, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073616

63,100 miles · Mar 21, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel System, OtherCrashInjury

WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON 3/5/03 AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I WAS TRAVELING 40-45 MPH SOUTHBOUND ON SCOTTSDALE RD WHEN ANOTHER CAR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME. THE IMPACT BENT THE IMPACT BARS, MOVED MY COMPRESSOR TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HOOD, BUMPER, FENDER DAMAGE, THE PR…

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WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON 3/5/03 AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I WAS TRAVELING 40-45 MPH SOUTHBOUND ON SCOTTSDALE RD WHEN ANOTHER CAR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME. THE IMPACT BENT THE IMPACT BARS, MOVED MY COMPRESSOR TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HOOD, BUMPER, FENDER DAMAGE, THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE WITHOUT DOING A TEAR DOWN IS AT $5000.00. I HAVE SUFFERED NECK, SHOULDER AND LEG INJURIES. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID A CERTIFIED GM REP WILL GO LOOK AT THE CAR AND TAKE PICTURES AND WILL CONTACT ME ON THE 29TH. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM A MAN WHO DID NOT IDENTIFY HIMSELF AT THE DEALER SHIP AND SAID HE WAS A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR FOR GM AND DOWN LOADED THE INFO OFF THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR AND THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF, AND TOLD ME I NEED TO HAVE THEM START REPAIRING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. YET IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN A NEAR FRONTAL OR FRONTAL IMPACT AND THAT THEY CAN ONLY ACCESS THIS COMPUTER IN THE CAR WITH THE OWNERS CONSENT WHICH I DID NOT GIVE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM ELECTRICAL ENGINE WORK, THE FUEL SENSOR SHOWING ME I HAD GAS WHEN I DON'T, SCRATCHED ROTORS, AND THE HAZARDS AND BLINKERS WORKING AND NOT WORKING WHICH STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. EVEN THE POLICE OFFERS DID NOT WANT TO GET IN THE VEHICLE TO MOVE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF AND THEY WHERE CONCERNED THAT IT DID NOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10062758

62,370 miles · Mar 12, 2004
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063135

43,822 miles · Mar 6, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT ABOUT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF FRONTAL AIRBAGS WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT IN FRONT BY A TOYOTA TRUCK. ALSO AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER BEING HIT BY THE TOYOTA TRUCK AND THEN FINALLY HITTING A PARKED FORD MUSTANG HEAD ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10060589

30,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10044507

Official recalls

4

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.

03V327000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Aug 28, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jul 15, 2003

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

00V372000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Nov 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (RPO M86) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO REVERSE, A SHIFT INHIBITOR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE MECHANICALLY IN 4TH GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATES REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.

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

3

EA02037 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Dec 23, 2002 · Closed Sep 5, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

EA02028 · Erratic Fuel Gauge

Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Dec 30, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System

ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.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 FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

SQ01002 · Erratic Fuel Gauge

Opened Jan 26, 2001 · Closed Sep 30, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available