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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 →

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

What owners actually said

279 reports
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 · Dec 14, 2009
Exterior Lighting

SIGNAL LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME ON MY 2002 ALERO. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR REGULARLY AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE HER TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. WE CANNOT SEEM TO GET ANYONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295628

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2009
Exterior Lighting

MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS DON'T WORK AT TIMES. THEY GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE I'M DRIVING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I TRIED TO TURN THE HAZARDS ON TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT THE HAZARDS OUT MOST OF THE TIME ALSO. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND MAKES ME NERVOUS TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT OR TICKET. I HA…

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MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS DON'T WORK AT TIMES. THEY GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE I'M DRIVING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I TRIED TO TURN THE HAZARDS ON TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT THE HAZARDS OUT MOST OF THE TIME ALSO. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND MAKES ME NERVOUS TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT OR TICKET. I HAVE CONTACTED GM DEALERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL BUT I HAVE READ THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 MODELS. I HAVE HEARD OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2002 MODELS AND WOULD HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293121

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

98,000 miles · Nov 11, 2009
Exterior Lighting

2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291848

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

80,000 miles · Oct 4, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR WILL NOT START .... SOMETIMES AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN IT WILL NOT START BACK SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE AROUND 30MINS TO START BACK OTHER TIMES LONGER, THE LENGTH OF TIME IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN WHEN IT DOES THIS VARIES SOMETIMES ITS VERY SHORT DISTANCE OTHERS IT IS A LITTLE LONGER. THE CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. IT DOES NOT…

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CAR WILL NOT START .... SOMETIMES AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN IT WILL NOT START BACK SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE AROUND 30MINS TO START BACK OTHER TIMES LONGER, THE LENGTH OF TIME IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN WHEN IT DOES THIS VARIES SOMETIMES ITS VERY SHORT DISTANCE OTHERS IT IS A LITTLE LONGER. THE CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. IT DOES NOT DO THIS ALL THE TIME BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL DO THIS. WE HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHANGED RECENTLY AND THE BATTERY IS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286260

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2009
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE HAZARD SWITCH RECALL NOTICE (APPLIES TO 1999 AND 2001 VEHICLES AND OTHER GM CARS) SINCE SPRING OF 2009 MY CAR HAS BEEN EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS DISCUSSED IN THE RECALL. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE THEN. I FEEL THAT SOME OF THE BAD SWITCHES MADE IT INTO OTHER …

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I HAVE A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE HAZARD SWITCH RECALL NOTICE (APPLIES TO 1999 AND 2001 VEHICLES AND OTHER GM CARS) SINCE SPRING OF 2009 MY CAR HAS BEEN EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS DISCUSSED IN THE RECALL. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE THEN. I FEEL THAT SOME OF THE BAD SWITCHES MADE IT INTO OTHER YEARS OR THE CAR WAS STILL BUILT WITH 2001 PARTS. I PURCHASED IT FROM AN OLDS DEALER IN SUMMER OF 2002. IT WAS A GM PROGRAM USED CAR ON THE ROAD SINCE JANUARY 2002. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281182

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

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.