← New search

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

78 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Oct 29, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY BLINKERS ON MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. MY HORN DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247139

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SINCE 2002. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HAVING THIS CAR THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT BAD AND WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AND IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM BECAUSE THE COMPANY THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WENT BANKRUPT. SINCE THEN I HA…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SINCE 2002. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HAVING THIS CAR THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT BAD AND WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AND IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM BECAUSE THE COMPANY THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WENT BANKRUPT. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE A GASKET IN THE ENGINE THAT KEEPS ENGINE COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL FROM MIXING TOGETHER BECAUSE THE GASKET THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH THE CAR WAS NOT THE RIGHT THICKNESS. (SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY MECHANICS WHY WASN'T THIS RECALLED OR A SERVICE BULLETIN INITIATED?) I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER DOOR CONTROL PANEL THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS AND THE SIDE MIRRORS AND WINDOW LOCKS. THE WINDOWS IN MY CAR CAN ONLY BE CONTROLLED BY THE DRIVER BECAUSE THE WINDOW LOCK IS STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS FALLING DOWN INTO THE DOOR AND HAVE HAD ONE WINDOW REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2007 BUT NOW IN SEPTEMBER 2008 THE PASSENGER WINDOW IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND NOW WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THIS WINDOW AS WELL. RIGHT NOW THE MOST ANNOYING THING ABOUT THIS CAR IS THE TURN SIGNALS. THEY FUNCTION AS THEY SHOULD BUT THE CLICKING NOISE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN I HAVE MADE A TURN (IT ACTUALLY MAKES A CLICKING NOISE ABOUT 3 TIMES AS FAST AS THE REGULAR TURN CLICK). I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE HAZARD LIGHT RECALL WHICH MY CAR FALLS UNDER SO IT WAS NOT FIXED. IT IS A VERY DISTRACTING PROBLEM AND THE ONLY TIME I CAN GET RELIEF FROM THE CLICKING NOISE IS WHEN I ACTUALLY GET READY TO MAKE A TURN BY TURNING ON THE ACTUAL TURN SIGNAL. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. I AM HOPING THAT SOME THING IS DONE ABOUT THE WINDOWS AND THE ENGINE GASKET. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN. GM SHOULD MAKE THINGS RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240999

130,000 miles · Aug 11, 2008
Exterior Lighting

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH OUR TURN SIGNALS GOING OUT SPORADICALLY. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BUT WE WERE TOLD TAT ONLY CERTAIN VIN#S HAD THIS RECALL. HOWEVER THIS IS HAPPENING TO TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS REPAIR, IT IS RIDICULOUS. WE ALSO L…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH OUR TURN SIGNALS GOING OUT SPORADICALLY. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BUT WE WERE TOLD TAT ONLY CERTAIN VIN#S HAD THIS RECALL. HOWEVER THIS IS HAPPENING TO TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS REPAIR, IT IS RIDICULOUS. WE ALSO LIKE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO START OUR VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION. WE HAD TO PAY $700 TO GET IT REKEYED, AND WE HAVE A PASSENGER WINDOW THAT HAS FELL INTO THE DOOR, WHICH STILL IS NOT FIXED. WE SHOULD ALL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE SIGNALS FIXED UNDER RECALL NOT JUST SOME WHEN ITS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237783

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2008
Exterior Lighting

THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT THERE MIGHT BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY WIFE'S 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAZARD SWITCH IS FAULTY CAUSING INTERMITTENT TURNING SIGNAL FAILURE, THE SAME PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS MODELS OF THE ALERO. I CALLED OLDSMOBILE AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH UNDER RECALL WHICH APPARENTLY THEY TOLD ME MY VIN …

Read full complaint

THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT THERE MIGHT BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY WIFE'S 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAZARD SWITCH IS FAULTY CAUSING INTERMITTENT TURNING SIGNAL FAILURE, THE SAME PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS MODELS OF THE ALERO. I CALLED OLDSMOBILE AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH UNDER RECALL WHICH APPARENTLY THEY TOLD ME MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND PROBLEM. I THOUGHT I WOULD NOTIFY YOU OF THE PROBLEM THAT SEEMS WAS NOT CORRECTED WHEN THE RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR PREVIOUS YEARS. THE RECALL SHOULD COVER ANY ALERO THAT EXPERIENCES THIS ISSUE, NOT JUST CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236867

63,000 miles · May 10, 2008
Exterior Lighting

2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, SOMETIMES THEY JUST QUIT WORKING. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS I SEE THERE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE FLASHER UNIT OR HAZARD COMPONENT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER I WAS TOLD I COULD BRING IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD COST ME $100.00 TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS PLUS BE…

Read full complaint

2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, SOMETIMES THEY JUST QUIT WORKING. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS I SEE THERE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE FLASHER UNIT OR HAZARD COMPONENT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER I WAS TOLD I COULD BRING IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD COST ME $100.00 TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS PLUS BE CHARGED TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR I COULD TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227235

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS & LAMPS FAIL ERRATICALLY......THEN OPERATE REGULARLY BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210019

73,487 miles · Aug 19, 2007
Exterior Lighting

HAZARD SWITCH - TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING / INTERMITTENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200037

66,300 miles · Aug 3, 2007
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL SEDAN AND THE FOLLOWING HAS JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS: TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION THAT LEADS TO FLICKERING OR TOTAL FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL - THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PROMPTED A 2003 RECALL FOR OLDSMOBILE ALERO; MODEL YE…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL SEDAN AND THE FOLLOWING HAS JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS: TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION THAT LEADS TO FLICKERING OR TOTAL FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL - THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PROMPTED A 2003 RECALL FOR OLDSMOBILE ALERO; MODEL YEARS 2000-2001. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198440

79,000 miles · Jun 28, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED A COMPONENT, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT NAME OF THE COMPONENT. THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDI…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED A COMPONENT, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT NAME OF THE COMPONENT. THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194853

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2006
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING, BUT HAZARDS WORK FINE. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY (EITHER WAY) THE ABS LIGHT AND LOW TRACTION OFF LIGHT COME ON WHICH CLEAR AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTING, BUT DOES IT AGAIN OR MAYBE NOT FOR A WHILE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172358

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.