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2002 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

183 reports with mileage · 96 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 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

133 reports
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80,000 miles · Aug 16, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATION PE 05-055, THE ISSUE WITH THE HAZARD SWITCH FOR 2002 OLDS ALERO'S WAS GOING TO BE UPDATED TO A RECALL (RECALL 03V327000) BUT IT NEVER WAS. SINCE IT WAS NEVER UPDATED TO A RECALL, I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND ALSO GM IS REFUSING TO HONOR REPLACING THE PART. PLEASE ASSIST IS CORRECTING THIS ISSUE.…

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ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATION PE 05-055, THE ISSUE WITH THE HAZARD SWITCH FOR 2002 OLDS ALERO'S WAS GOING TO BE UPDATED TO A RECALL (RECALL 03V327000) BUT IT NEVER WAS. SINCE IT WAS NEVER UPDATED TO A RECALL, I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION AND ALSO GM IS REFUSING TO HONOR REPLACING THE PART. PLEASE ASSIST IS CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535791

127,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, VEHICLE KEY SWITCH RANDOMLY MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A CRASH BECAUSE THE CAR SHUT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524152

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

I LOVE MY CAR BUT THE THING IS A DEATH TRAP. IT SHUT OFF 15 TIMES WITHIN A MILE OF DRIVING IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC. IT HAS ALMOST ME MY LIFE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DASH CLUSTER GOES OUT SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING OR IF THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT. GM IF YOU THINK THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM IT IS PLEASE RECALL THE CAR FIX IT AND I WILL …

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I LOVE MY CAR BUT THE THING IS A DEATH TRAP. IT SHUT OFF 15 TIMES WITHIN A MILE OF DRIVING IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC. IT HAS ALMOST ME MY LIFE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DASH CLUSTER GOES OUT SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED IM GOING OR IF THE CAR IS RUNNING HOT. GM IF YOU THINK THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM IT IS PLEASE RECALL THE CAR FIX IT AND I WILL KEEP IT TILL I NEED A BIGGER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497824

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

THE CAR HAS BROKE DOWN AND WOULDN'T RESTART, FUEL PUMP, ECM? MODULATOR FUSES. POWERING STEERING LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP. REAR DEFROSTER WON'T WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROLS FOR WINDOWS, LOCKS, STOPPED WORKING. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DROPS DOWN AND BREAKS-REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND JUST HAPPENED AGAIN. BELT BROKE, LOST POW…

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THE CAR HAS BROKE DOWN AND WOULDN'T RESTART, FUEL PUMP, ECM? MODULATOR FUSES. POWERING STEERING LEAKS ALL THE TIME AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP. REAR DEFROSTER WON'T WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROLS FOR WINDOWS, LOCKS, STOPPED WORKING. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DROPS DOWN AND BREAKS-REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND JUST HAPPENED AGAIN. BELT BROKE, LOST POWER BARELY ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL THUMPS, POPS, ETC. HAD FIXED AND STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. I'VE MAINTAINED ROUTINELY, BUT IT CONTINUES TO KEEP BREAKING DOWN. THE HANDLE TO PUT IN GEAR/PARK HAS BROKE. A LOT OF PLASTIC PARTS, CLIPS ETC CRUMBLING APART, KNOBS, LIGHT SWITCHES, WINDOW TRACTS. ALL OUT OF POCKET. RECALL FOR WINDOWS, REAR DEFROST, POWER STEERING, FUEL PUMP, BELT BREAKING, FRONT HUBS/WHEELS/STEERING !!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494745

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I ATTEMPTED TO START MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND IT WON'T START. IT WAS AS IF THE FUEL WAS SHUT-OFF. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND PEOPLE SUGGESTED, TURNING THE KEY TO THE START POSITION AND LEAVING FOR 10 MINUTES, APPARENTLY THIS ALLOWS THE COMPUTER TO RESET.…

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I ATTEMPTED TO START MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND IT WON'T START. IT WAS AS IF THE FUEL WAS SHUT-OFF. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME. I NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND PEOPLE SUGGESTED, TURNING THE KEY TO THE START POSITION AND LEAVING FOR 10 MINUTES, APPARENTLY THIS ALLOWS THE COMPUTER TO RESET. (OR YOU CAN DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND RECONNECT IT, THIS WILL ALSO RESET THE COMPUTER.) THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE. GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462163

46,560 miles · May 10, 2012
Electrical System

ON MANY OCCASIONS NOW MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WOULD BE WORKING PERFECTLY ONE DAY AND THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START IT WOULD NOT START. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD MY UNCLE WHO IS A MECHANIC COME AND LOOK IT OVER, HE TOLD ME THAT MY SECURITY SYSTEM IS LOCKING THE CAR UP AND TO LET IT SIT WITH THE KEY TURNED FOR 10 MINU…

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ON MANY OCCASIONS NOW MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WOULD BE WORKING PERFECTLY ONE DAY AND THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START IT WOULD NOT START. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD MY UNCLE WHO IS A MECHANIC COME AND LOOK IT OVER, HE TOLD ME THAT MY SECURITY SYSTEM IS LOCKING THE CAR UP AND TO LET IT SIT WITH THE KEY TURNED FOR 10 MINUTES AND IT WILL START AGAIN. THIS WORKED BUT NOW THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN. SO, I CAME ONLINE TO SEE IF ANY OTHER OLDSMOBILE ALERO OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND OVER 50 REVIEWS ON ONE SITE ALONE THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING. ON TOP OF THAT MANY OF THESE CAR OWNERS WERE SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM ONLY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE TO THE POINT THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING!!! I HAVE A CHILD, AS MANY OF THE OTHERS OWNERS SAID THEY DID ALSO, AND AS A PARENT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING. WHAT IF I'M ON A HIGHWAY? OTHERS SAID THEY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED FOR IT TO CONTINUE TO COME BACK OR CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. AND AS IF THIS ISSUE WAS NOT DANGEROUS ENOUGH, MY TURN SIGNALS ALSO SHORT OUT AND DO NOT BLINK AT TIMES. I DO NOT BELIEVE A CAR COULD BE ANYMORE DANGEROUS. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE AND RESOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE ASAP! PLEASE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458075

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2012
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE AND LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO SPEED UP UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE. WHILE BRAKING THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT IS STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND HOLD IT TO TRY AND MAINTAIN A FU…

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WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE AND LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO SPEED UP UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE. WHILE BRAKING THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT IS STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND HOLD IT TO TRY AND MAINTAIN A FULL STOP.IF I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS SHOOT WAY UP. IF I BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR AND QUICKLY THROW IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART THE CAR IT USUALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS DEFINITELY NOT A FIX. THERE IS JUST OVER 180,000 MILES AND I HAVE JUST RECENTLY STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM IT HAS HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES AND I AM TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND GET IT FIXED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE BLINKERS ALSO PERIODICALLY STOP WORKING AND CAN BE FIXED BY CLICKING THE HAZARD LIGHTS A FEW TIMES BUT AGAIN NOT A PERMANENT FIX. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS GONE OUT AND THE TRAC CONTROL DOESN'T TURN ON. THIS CAR IS BECOMING A DEATH TRAP AND EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450831

178,000 miles · Feb 15, 2012
Electrical SystemCrash

SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE LOST STEERING AND WERE HEADED TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BUT RAN OVER A STREET SIGN AND STOPPED. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AFTER WE PARK AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN WE TRY TO START IT AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP FINE AND OTHER TIM…

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SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE LOST STEERING AND WERE HEADED TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BUT RAN OVER A STREET SIGN AND STOPPED. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND NO PROBLEMS UNTIL AFTER WE PARK AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN WE TRY TO START IT AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT TURNS OVER, BUT WONT FIRE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES. DURING THIS 10 MINUTES THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES. AFTER EXACTLY 10 MINUTES THE LIGHT TURNS SOLID FOR 5 SECONDS AND THEN SHUTS OFF. WE THEN TAKE THE KEY OUT, PUT IT BACK IN AND THE CAR STARTS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CAR THINK IT'S BEING STOLEN AND SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM INSTANTLY. WE LOSE COMPLETE STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHATS ALSO HAPPENING IS THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS DRAINING THE BATTERY WHILE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. WHEN WE GET ANYWHERE WE HAVE TO TAKE THE SECURITY FUSES OUT SO THE BATTERY DOESN'T DRAIN. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN. THERE ARE POST ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448008

120,000 miles · Jan 16, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THERE IS INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS MATTER BACK IN 2004. I WENT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND HE TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443910

124,000 miles · Nov 29, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WEATHER: APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES AND RAINING. I HAVE THE HEAT AND DEFROST (INCLUDING REAR WINDOW) ON. I HEAR A POP FROM THE BACK AND I THINK SOMEONE HAS JUST LIGHTLY REAR-ENDED ME. I LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, AT APPROXIMATELY THE RIGHT-HAND SHOULDER IS ON FIRE. I P…

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WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WEATHER: APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES AND RAINING. I HAVE THE HEAT AND DEFROST (INCLUDING REAR WINDOW) ON. I HEAR A POP FROM THE BACK AND I THINK SOMEONE HAS JUST LIGHTLY REAR-ENDED ME. I LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, AT APPROXIMATELY THE RIGHT-HAND SHOULDER IS ON FIRE. I PULLED-OVER, TURNED-OFF THE CAR, AND TRIED TO DOWSE THE FLAMES TO NO AVAIL. ALL I COULD DO WAS WATCH IT BURN UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED-UP ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. FIRE DEPARTMENT AGREED LIKELY CAUSE WAS REAR DEFROSTER SHORT-CIRCUIT. REAR SEAT AND REAR WINDOW DESTROYED. WATER AND SMOKE DAMAGE. CAR IS LIKELY TOTALED DUE TO AGE (11 YEARS) AND MILES (124K). *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437649

Official recalls

1

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.

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

PE05055 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Sep 27, 2005 · Closed Jan 13, 2006

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

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.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 LATE APRIL 2006.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

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.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 LATE APRIL 2006.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

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.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 LATE APRIL 2006.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.