NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
133 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 10, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AN EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS ONE HAS HAD SAME PROB . THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON AN IT WILL NOT START MINE IT CAME ON A WONT RESET OR GO OFF AN MADE MY CAR DIE IN A BAD NEIGHBOR HOOD WHEN MY WIFE N BABY WHERE ON WAY HOME A NITE AND ALSO SHUT DOWN IT THE MIDDLE ROAD ON MY WIFE WITH OUR BABY IN TH…
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I HAVE 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AN EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS ONE HAS HAD SAME PROB . THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON AN IT WILL NOT START MINE IT CAME ON A WONT RESET OR GO OFF AN MADE MY CAR DIE IN A BAD NEIGHBOR HOOD WHEN MY WIFE N BABY WHERE ON WAY HOME A NITE AND ALSO SHUT DOWN IT THE MIDDLE ROAD ON MY WIFE WITH OUR BABY IN THERE AN SHE ALMOST GOT HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER. I THINK GM NEED TO FIX THIS . THIS NEED TO BE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348422
62,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment
TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK AND CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START, NEED TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR CAR TO START IR RESET WITH KEY IN THE ON POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348111
84,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Electrical System
CAR WONT START BECAUSE OF SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION FOUND OUT LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH NO RECALLS YET PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319359
40,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Electrical System
MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TURN LIGHTS,HIGH LIGHTS,HORN DOESN'T WORK. WORK SOMETIMES. I TOOK IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE MECHANIC AND HE DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295925
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2009
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicWheels
I PURCHASED A 2002 ALERO FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAD A CERTIFIED STICKER AND A WARRANTY ON THE WINDOW. AFTER SIGNING ALL PAPERS AND PUTTING $2,000 DOWN ON IT, THE SALES MAN INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEH. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. 9-5-07 THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING AND MA…
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I PURCHASED A 2002 ALERO FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAD A CERTIFIED STICKER AND A WARRANTY ON THE WINDOW. AFTER SIGNING ALL PAPERS AND PUTTING $2,000 DOWN ON IT, THE SALES MAN INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEH. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. 9-5-07 THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING AND MAKING LOUD NOISES. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON 9-10-07, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SHAKE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF. THIS HAPPENED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS I WAS GOING TO WORK. I DROPPED IT OFF AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THEY SAID IT WAS THEIR FAULT DUE TO A FEW NUTS OR BOLTS FELL OFF. 5-6-08 IS WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LEFT ME STRANDED. TURN THE KEY, ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND SEAT BELT ALERT CAME ON. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO START BUT IT WOULDN'T. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT COST ME $588.00 TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASS LOCK SENSOR. 9-3-08 MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN. IT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE FIRST TIME. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO START BUT IT WOULDN'T. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY QUOTED ME $350 FOR REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE MANAGER, I PAID A $50 DEDUCTIBLE AND THE VEH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED. ON ABOUT 5-9-09 THE VEH LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN. IT DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE PRIOR 2 INCIDENCES. I HAD THE VEH TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME THEY SAID AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC, IT WAS THE BCM AND WOULD BE APPROX $480 TO REPAIR IT. A FEW DAYS LATER, I HAD A FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW IT TO MY HOME. I TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED UP FINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD IT IS THE BCM AND IF THE VEH SITS LONG ENOUGH, IT MAY RESET AND START UP. HE ALSO SAID IT MAY LEAVE ME STRANDED AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEH LOCALLY AND ON 11-27-09, THE VEH WILL NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293758
118,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO PURCHASED IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE ADHERED TO THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE PROCESS WAS TOO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO PURCHASED IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE ADHERED TO THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE PROCESS WAS TOO LENGTHY TO ATTEMPT EACH TIME SHE HAS TO START THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER NOT TO INVEST IN CORRECTING THE FAILURE SINCE IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 118,000.
NHTSA ODI #10292348
40,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingTires
HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL; SAME AS THE 2001...THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUED ON THE 2001, BUT NOT THE 2002? I LOSE MY TURN SIGNALS APPROXIMATELY 2-3 TIMES PER 10 MILE TRIP. I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION...YET. NO REPAIRS SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE IS THE…
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HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL; SAME AS THE 2001...THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUED ON THE 2001, BUT NOT THE 2002? I LOSE MY TURN SIGNALS APPROXIMATELY 2-3 TIMES PER 10 MILE TRIP. I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION...YET. NO REPAIRS SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT DATE IS THE LAST TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED (I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS), BUT IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ALERO'S REGUARDLESS OF THE MODEL YEAR. THE VEHICLE ALSO WON'T START WHEN IT RAINS, AND SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE TRUNK OPENS BY ITSELF, AND THE DOOR LOCKS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES THE STEREO WON'T TURN ON, AND MOST RECENTLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW WON'T OPEN. I REPLACED THE WHEEL HOUSE ASSEMBLY 3 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. THIS CAR IS AN ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE! FREQUENTLY IT WON'T START BECAUSE IT THINKS I'M TRYING TO STEAL IT. I ALSO PUT AIR IN ALL MY TIRES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK BECAUSE THEY WON'T HOLD AIR...APPARENTLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHEELS. I HAVE TO MANUALLY CHECK THE TIRES BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE IS ALSO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290323
90,000 miles · Aug 10, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
BLINKER IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, OTHER TIMES NOTHING. WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING THE HAZARD OR BLINKER SOUND SEEMS TO BE GOING OFF AND ON CONSTANTLY. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TEAR APART THE WHOLE DASH JUST TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM AND CAN POTENTI…
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BLINKER IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, OTHER TIMES NOTHING. WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING THE HAZARD OR BLINKER SOUND SEEMS TO BE GOING OFF AND ON CONSTANTLY. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TEAR APART THE WHOLE DASH JUST TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM AND CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS IF NOT FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279937
96,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Electrical System
MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A START MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR, WHICH WERE TOLD TO ME WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START AT TIMES, AND WHENEVER IT DOES START, THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PUTS…
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MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A START MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP ON MY CAR, WHICH WERE TOLD TO ME WERE THE PROBLEM, AND THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START AT TIMES, AND WHENEVER IT DOES START, THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN IN DANGER OF GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE THE CAR STOPS ABRUPTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275655
80,000 miles · Feb 17, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
I BOUGHT MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IN MAY OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT TIME, BUT I WAS ON MY OWN FROM THERE. FREQUENTLY I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING. I…
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I BOUGHT MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IN MAY OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT TIME, BUT I WAS ON MY OWN FROM THERE. FREQUENTLY I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK 6 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND A WEEK LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME IT THE BODY MODULE WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER I WAS CALLING THE TOW TRUCK AGAIN. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THIS TIME. THE NEXT TIME I THREATENED TO SUE THE MECHANIC WHO HAD WORKED ON MY CAR. THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THE MECHANIC. HE CONTACTED GM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE AND OF COURSE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP A FEW MORE TIMES THE MECHANIC FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN GM REPAIRS. THAT MECHANIC TOLD HIM ABOUT THE FAULTY SECURITY SYSTEM. HE PASSED ON THE INFO TO ME. IF THE CAR WON'T START, TURN THE KEY ON FOR 10 MIN. UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING, TURN THE KEY OFF, TAKE IT OUT OF THE IGNITION AND TRY IT AGAIN. THIS HAS WORKED EVERY TIME FOR ME, BUT REALLY, WHO HAS THE EXTRA 10-15 MINUTES TO SPARE EVERY TIME THEY NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE, JUST IN CASE THEIR CAR WON'T START? I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TURNING SIGNALS WORKING ONLY WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALERO OWNERS. AFTER THE NIGHTMARES I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND THE DISRESPECT SHOWN BY GM TO THEIR "VALUED CUSTOMERS", I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM MODEL AS LONG AS I LIVE! BUYER BEWARE!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258946
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 ↗