IllustrationFOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000 AND 2001 MODELS, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2002. *NM
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Alero years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
2725–50K
4850–75K
4075–100K
28100–150K
22150K+
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 reportsDT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. HE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT THIS TIME. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON AN EARLIER MODEL YEAR, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AS WELL AS THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO DIAGNOSIS TO THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 03V327000 ON EARLIER MODEL YEARS. YET HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AS WELL AS THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO DIAGNOSIS TO THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 03V327000 ON EARLIER MODEL YEARS. YET HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SAW ON TV THAT THE BLINKER SWITCHES IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WERE TEARING OFF. HE WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS ON BRIGHT BECAUSE OF THE BLINKER SWITCH NOT WORKING.*AK
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO -- VIN #1G3NL52E02C21167 TURN SIGNAL FAILURE: THIS IS A USED CAR WITH 27,000 MILES OWNED BY DARCARS -WILSON-POWELL LINCOLN MERCURY. I WAS TEST DRIVING THE CAR ON SATURDAY AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED FOR A WHILE AND RESUMED WORKING. THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED COMPLETELY ON OCTOBER 18, 2005, AFTER I RETURNED…
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2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO -- VIN #1G3NL52E02C21167 TURN SIGNAL FAILURE: THIS IS A USED CAR WITH 27,000 MILES OWNED BY DARCARS -WILSON-POWELL LINCOLN MERCURY. I WAS TEST DRIVING THE CAR ON SATURDAY AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED FOR A WHILE AND RESUMED WORKING. THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED COMPLETELY ON OCTOBER 18, 2005, AFTER I RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO PICK UP THE CAR TO HAVE IT TESTED FOR EMISSIONS AFTER THE CAR FAILED THE VIRGINIA EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO A COMPUTER PROBLEM. I DO NOT OWN THE CAR. IT IS OWNED BY DARCARS -- WILSON-POWELL LINCOLN-MERCURY, INC. OF TEMPLE HILLS, MD. *NM
IN MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, MY TURN SIGNALS BECOME VERY INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES FAIL TO FUNCTION ALL TOGETHER CAUSING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART MY VEHICLE TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING AGAIN. SOMETIMES I NEED TO HOLD IN THE BUTTON FOR THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON WHILE PUSHING MY TURN SIGNAL DOWN IN ORDER…
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IN MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, MY TURN SIGNALS BECOME VERY INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES FAIL TO FUNCTION ALL TOGETHER CAUSING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART MY VEHICLE TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING AGAIN. SOMETIMES I NEED TO HOLD IN THE BUTTON FOR THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON WHILE PUSHING MY TURN SIGNAL DOWN IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO WORK FOR A SHORT TIME. I HAVE SEEN THAT THE 2001 ALERO HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM THE RECALL NUMBER IS 03V327000. *NM
I DISCOVERED MY TURN SIGNALS WEREN'T WORKING WHILE DRIVING RECENTLY. SINCE THEN I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT; SOMETIMES THEY WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES NOT. GENERALLY I CAN MONKEY WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON AFTER I'VE TURNED THE CAR ON BUT BEFORE I START DRIVING TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE IN WORKING CON…
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I DISCOVERED MY TURN SIGNALS WEREN'T WORKING WHILE DRIVING RECENTLY. SINCE THEN I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT; SOMETIMES THEY WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES NOT. GENERALLY I CAN MONKEY WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON AFTER I'VE TURNED THE CAR ON BUT BEFORE I START DRIVING TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE IN WORKING CONDITION. BUT IT'S NO GUARANTEE THEY'LL BE WORKING AT THE END OF THE TRIP. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE I SEE THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING IT AND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING. I PLAN ON HAVING IT REPAIRED AS SOON AS I GET A CHANCE, BUT IT'D BE NICE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OUTSTANDING ALREADY. *NM
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - TURN SIGNAL ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
THE TURN SIGNALS AT TIMES CAN BE WORKING, THEN THEY STOP COMPLETELY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE.....AFTER ALL WHILE WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. *NM
IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS MY TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND JUST AS MYSTERIOUSLY START WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALER AS IT HAS ONLY OCCURRED TWICE. I SEEN A REPORT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE NEWS. *JB
Official recalls
114V400000 · 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
1PE05055 · 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.