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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 →
279Owner complaints

Model-year median: 279

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
462
1999557
2000364
2001279
2002184
2003109
2004
Compare all Alero years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
133Exterior Lighting
78Engine And Engine Cooling
28Visibility
15Service Brakes, Hydraulic
14
All reported categories
Engine
13Unknown Or Other
13Steering
11Suspension
10Air Bags
9Fuel System, Gasoline
9Structure
9Fuel/propulsion System
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Equipment
5Seat Belts
5Service Brakes
4Wheels
4Tires
3Fuel System, Other
2Power Train
2Service Brakes, Air
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

78 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

"TAKATA RECALL" I OWN A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND MY BLINKERS ONLY WORK MAYBE 2 TIME A MONTH WHEN I USE MY TURNING SIGNALS IN EITHER DIRECTION I JUST HEAR A BUZZING SOUND SOMETIMES IT IS ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SOUND AND NO BLINKER AT ALL. NOW MY GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY AND I JUST PUT $30 OF GAS IN IT AND O…

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"TAKATA RECALL" I OWN A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND MY BLINKERS ONLY WORK MAYBE 2 TIME A MONTH WHEN I USE MY TURNING SIGNALS IN EITHER DIRECTION I JUST HEAR A BUZZING SOUND SOMETIMES IT IS ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SOUND AND NO BLINKER AT ALL. NOW MY GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY AND I JUST PUT $30 OF GAS IN IT AND ONCE I RAN OUT OF GAS AND AND WAS STUCK ON THE HWY FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE SAID FULL TANK B

NHTSA ODI #11256865

82,762 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,762.

NHTSA ODI #10885927

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING NOTHING ON DASH WORKS.

NHTSA ODI #10811511

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

WHEN TURNING OFF CAR DOESN'T WANT TO RESTART HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN TO START HAS PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS AND LIGHTS TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FIXED BUT STILL HAS SAME PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #10783086

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

WHEN U SHUT YOUR CAR OFF AND TRY TO RESTART WON'T START AND SECURITY LIGHTS COME ON THEN U TURN KEY OFF AND ON AND WAIT 10 MIN TO RESTART .GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM. HAS BEEN SEEN BY CHEVY DEALER AND HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX. THIS PROBLEMS HAPPENS ON REGULAR BASES.

NHTSA ODI #10780552

150,000 miles · Mar 16, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILURE. IT STARTED WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, THEY WOULD WORK SOMETIMES AND THEN EVENTUALLY CUT OUT COMPLETELY. HAZARDS WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER TURN SIGNALS WENT OUT, THEN BOTH CUT OUT COMPLETELY. FLASHER WAS REPLACED AND FUSES WERE TESTED AND WERE NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694699

157,000 miles · Jan 2, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A BAD SCRUBBING NOISE, AND I HAD NO TURN SIGNAL AT ALL I NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT .DURING THE CLICKING SOUND THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD WORK AT TIMES AND I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING LIKE A BURNING SMELL. WHILE THE CAR WA…

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JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A BAD SCRUBBING NOISE, AND I HAD NO TURN SIGNAL AT ALL I NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT .DURING THE CLICKING SOUND THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD WORK AT TIMES AND I WOULD SMELL SOMETHING LIKE A BURNING SMELL. WHILE THE CAR WAS PARK AND NO ONE AROUND IT THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INSIDE AND OUT BY THEIR SELF AND THIS CAUSES MY BATTERY TO GO DEAD AND I HAVE TO BOOST IT OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CAR DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND HATEFUL AND TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THAT THEY SOLD IT TO ME AT A GOOD DEAL AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10669781

232,550 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SIGNALS NOT WORKING.. THEY MAY COME ON AND BLINK OR NOT...I'VE ALMOST HAD TO ACCIDENTS THIS WEEK 9/30/2014 BECAUSE THEY FAIL TO WORK...I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEE IF THE BULBS ARE BLOWN OR WIRING AND NOTHING COMES BACK AS TO WHY THEY STOP AND START...I HAVE GOTTEN 2 WARNINGS FROM A POLICE OFFICER ABOUT…

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THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SIGNALS NOT WORKING.. THEY MAY COME ON AND BLINK OR NOT...I'VE ALMOST HAD TO ACCIDENTS THIS WEEK 9/30/2014 BECAUSE THEY FAIL TO WORK...I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEE IF THE BULBS ARE BLOWN OR WIRING AND NOTHING COMES BACK AS TO WHY THEY STOP AND START...I HAVE GOTTEN 2 WARNINGS FROM A POLICE OFFICER ABOUT THE FAILURE TO WORK, IT CAN GET ME TICKETS OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640184

71,165 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUDIBLE SOUND THAT ACCOMPANIES THE TURNING SIGNAL CONTINUOUSLY CHIMED AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED. THE SOUND WOULD INCREASE BEFORE STOPPING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUDIBLE SOUND THAT ACCOMPANIES THE TURNING SIGNAL CONTINUOUSLY CHIMED AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED. THE SOUND WOULD INCREASE BEFORE STOPPING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,165. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE COMBINATION SWITCH FOR THE TURN SIGNAL. UPDATED 10/1/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10639951

150,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WILL PERIODICALLY FAIL, LIKELY FROM A GROUND-OUT ISSUE WITH THE FLASHER RELAY. I HAVE TO STRUGGLE WITH THE PLASTIC COVER PART AROUND THE HAZARD SWITCH AND RELAY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT VIBRATION AND BUMPS CAUSE THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE F…

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THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WILL PERIODICALLY FAIL, LIKELY FROM A GROUND-OUT ISSUE WITH THE FLASHER RELAY. I HAVE TO STRUGGLE WITH THE PLASTIC COVER PART AROUND THE HAZARD SWITCH AND RELAY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT VIBRATION AND BUMPS CAUSE THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THAT I NEED TO CHANGE LANES AND MY TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND IT MAKES ME HESITANT TO CHANGE LANES. IN ADDITION, IT MAKES ME WORRY ABOUT MAKING TURNS IN THE CITY. I COULD BE ISSUED A TICKET OVER A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND WOULD NOT BE RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617615

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.