NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
133 reportsClear category filter154,753 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE 2002 OLDS ALERO IT WON'T START. CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. BUT MY SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING SO I WENT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THATS CAUSING ME WHICH IS THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AND MAKE THE WHOLE VEHICLE NOT START, THINK ITS LOCKED …
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I HAVE 2002 OLDS ALERO IT WON'T START. CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. BUT MY SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING SO I WENT ONLINE TO SEE WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THATS CAUSING ME WHICH IS THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AND MAKE THE WHOLE VEHICLE NOT START, THINK ITS LOCKED WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND CAUSE IT DRIVES FINE FOR FEW DAYS AND THEN KAPUT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOMETHING. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413960
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY HAZARD LIGHTS / TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES THEY JUST FLASH LIKE CRAZY. SAME AS 01'S BUT GM SAYS NOT 02'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410981
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2011
Electrical System
HAVE PROBLEM STARING MY CAR LEARNED ON LINE THAT IS A SECURITY PROBLEM. IT STARTED 5/25/2011 IT HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY. HAD MANY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR,THIS LAST ISSUE DID IT FOR ME. THERE HAS BEEN 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SECURITY PROBLEM I HAVE THREE KIDS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS WHEN I BARELY HAVE MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402680
76,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Electrical System
THE SECURITY LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON BUT WOULD GO OFF AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN OCTOBER 2009, I BECAME STRANDED AND HAD TO BE TOWED WHICH COST $150. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT WAS PART OF MY SECURITY SYSTEM AND I REPLACED THAT FOR ABOUT $400. I DO HAVE THE INVOICE FOR EXAC…
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THE SECURITY LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON BUT WOULD GO OFF AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN OCTOBER 2009, I BECAME STRANDED AND HAD TO BE TOWED WHICH COST $150. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT WAS PART OF MY SECURITY SYSTEM AND I REPLACED THAT FOR ABOUT $400. I DO HAVE THE INVOICE FOR EXACT FIGURES. THEN IN MARCH OF 2011, THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. NOT WANTING TO BECOME STRANDED AGAIN, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE VERY NEXT DAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT ANOTHER PART OF THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACING. THIS WAS $450. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A THIRD PART TO THIS SYSTEM. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME THAT THIS PART FAILS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398146
60,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Electrical System
THE PASSLOCK 1 ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILS ON MY VEHICLE. CAUSES THE FUEL SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN AND VEHICLE TO EITHER NOT START OR SHUT DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE, AT STOP SIGNS,LIGHTS AND AS I WAS TURNING WITH IN FRONT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC (LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT). THIS 1ST OCCURRED IN 2007. AT THAT TIME, IT HAPP…
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THE PASSLOCK 1 ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILS ON MY VEHICLE. CAUSES THE FUEL SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN AND VEHICLE TO EITHER NOT START OR SHUT DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE, AT STOP SIGNS,LIGHTS AND AS I WAS TURNING WITH IN FRONT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC (LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT). THIS 1ST OCCURRED IN 2007. AT THAT TIME, IT HAPPENED DAILY UNTIL MY CAR FINALLY WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM MY GARAGE TO A SERVICE CENTER. THE FAULT CODES SHOWED IT WAS THIS SYSTEM. THEY REPLACED THE PASSLOCK CYLINDER AND REPROGRAMMED MY KEYS. I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME, IT MAY NOT BE A PERMANANT FIX AS THERE IS A HIGH RATE OF REPEAT PROBLEMS. THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE SHOP, I HAD THE ISSUE A MONTH EARLIER, BUT DUE TO MY BATTERY BEING RUN DOWN TRYING TO START MY CAR, IT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A BATTERY ISSUE. SO AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY IT DID RUN FOR A MONTH BEFORE STARTING THIS ALL OVER AGAIN. MY CAR IS NOW AT THE SHOP WITH THE MOST LIKELY THE SAME TROUBLE. IT WAS OVER $600 THE FIRST TWO TIMES TO FIX MY CAR, AND I FEEL CAN BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN THE FACT I WAS ALMOST HIT, NOT JUST STRANDED. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY A G.M REP. THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE, OR THE DEALERS THE REP. CALLED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF INTERNET POST FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378145
96,000 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 02 ALERO DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THEY WILL COME ON AND OFF ON RANDOM OCCASIONS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO FIX IT. ALSO THE CAR SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS ALLOW THE CAR TO START. WHEN THE ENGINE DOESN'T START I HAVE TO STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING T…
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THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 02 ALERO DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THEY WILL COME ON AND OFF ON RANDOM OCCASIONS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO FIX IT. ALSO THE CAR SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS ALLOW THE CAR TO START. WHEN THE ENGINE DOESN'T START I HAVE TO STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING THEN IT WILL START. I HAD THE TRY TO FIX IT AND THE ONLY SOLUTION THEY THINK MIGHT WORK (BUT NOT SURE) IS TO TURN OFF THE SECURITY SYSTEM COMPLETELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367949
87,000 miles · Oct 29, 2010
Electrical System
I WAS STRANDED AT WORK AT NIGHT WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT START UP. ENDED UP WALKING 7 MILES HOME IN THE DARK, SINCE MY HUSBAND WORKS TILL 1AM. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAD DIED, BUT AFTER SEEING A WEBSITE OF MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, I TRIED LEAVING THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO "RESET"…
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I WAS STRANDED AT WORK AT NIGHT WHEN MY CAR WOULD NOT START UP. ENDED UP WALKING 7 MILES HOME IN THE DARK, SINCE MY HUSBAND WORKS TILL 1AM. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAD DIED, BUT AFTER SEEING A WEBSITE OF MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, I TRIED LEAVING THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO "RESET" THE COMPUTER, AND THIS WORKED. I JUST GOT HOME WITH MY CAR, BUT AM PRAYING TO GOD THAT IT DOES NOT DECIDE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE I'M DRIVING (THERE WAS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AS WELL ON THE WEBSITE). I THINK THAT GM MIGHT BE IN FOR A BIG LAWSUIT IF THEY DO NOT RECALL THIS PROBLEM SOON, ONLY FOR THE FACT THAT SOMEBODY CAN SERIOUSLY GET INJURED, AND THAT'S IF THEY'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT DIE FROM AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362868
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2010
Electrical System
MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES IT TO NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT COMES UP WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS HAVING PARTS REPLACED BEFORE DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH AND REALIZING THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM…
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MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES IT TO NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT COMES UP WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS HAVING PARTS REPLACED BEFORE DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH AND REALIZING THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM. IF THE KEY IS PLACED IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES, THE SECURITY LIGHT EVENTUALLY TURNS OFF AND THE CAR WILL START. SINCE GM IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT, I WOULD LIKE TO PLACE A COMPLAINT. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICE, AND I USE MY VEHICLE TO VISIT CLIENTS ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT TO NEED TO WAIT TEN MINUTES IN MY CAR BEFORE IT WILL START, BUT IN MANY LOCATIONS, IT IS VERY UNSAFE. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO START, BUT WILL NEVER TURN OVER, NECESSITATING THE TEN MINUTE FIX. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, BUT I HAVE READ THAT THE TIME BETWEEN INCIDENTS IS LIKELY TO BECOME SHORTER AND SHORTER. SINCE GM REFUSES TO ISSUE A MANUFACTURER RECALL OF ITS OWN ACCORD, I URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT DRIVERS REMAIN SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355623
102,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND A KEYLESS STARTER WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA ODI #10352293
90,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I HAVE A 2002 OLDS ALERO THAT HAS ALOT OF ELECTRIC PROBLEMS (OR SO I ASSUME) THE TURN SIGNAL NOISE TURNS ON WHILE I'M DRIVING AND MY SIGNAL ISN'T ON. THIS HAPPENS DAILY AND IS HARD TO DETERMINE IF MY FLASHER IS ACTUALLY ON OR NOT. ALSO MY CAR WONT ALWAYS START. MY TRACK CONTROL LIGHT, SERVICE ENGINE & LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE…
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I HAVE A 2002 OLDS ALERO THAT HAS ALOT OF ELECTRIC PROBLEMS (OR SO I ASSUME) THE TURN SIGNAL NOISE TURNS ON WHILE I'M DRIVING AND MY SIGNAL ISN'T ON. THIS HAPPENS DAILY AND IS HARD TO DETERMINE IF MY FLASHER IS ACTUALLY ON OR NOT. ALSO MY CAR WONT ALWAYS START. MY TRACK CONTROL LIGHT, SERVICE ENGINE & LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ARE PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS ON I'VE HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING COMES BACK AS TO WHY THOSE LIGHTS TURN ON & OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352193
Official recalls
1Jul 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 ↗