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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
96,900 miles · Jul 6, 2008
Visibility

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO FAILS TO ROLL UP. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE A "MANY" COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM, IN ADDITION TO THE ELEVEN (11) NHTSA AND SERVICE BULLETINS YOU ALREADY HAVE ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233295

62,000 miles · Jun 10, 2008
Equipment

THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY VEHICLE QUIT WORKING. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND A DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCH. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 ALERO, THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON EARLIER MODELS BUT NOT MINE, HOWEVER IT IS THE SAME DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230415

86,000 miles · Jun 6, 2008
EquipmentVisibility

OUR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN IT FELL INTO THE DOOR. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT ONTO THE MOTOR WAS BROKEN, AND WE HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. SO WE REPLACED IT IN AUGUST 2007. IT STARTED GIVING US PROBLEMS AGAIN IN APRIL 2008. THE PART IS NOW TOTALLY BROKEN AND WE …

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OUR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN IT FELL INTO THE DOOR. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT ONTO THE MOTOR WAS BROKEN, AND WE HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. SO WE REPLACED IT IN AUGUST 2007. IT STARTED GIVING US PROBLEMS AGAIN IN APRIL 2008. THE PART IS NOW TOTALLY BROKEN AND WE ARE AGAIN REPLACING THE MOTOR AND BRACKETS. IN THE MEANTIME WE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR PASSENGERS SIDE WINDOW. WE HARDLY EVER ROLL DOWN OUR WINDOWS AND ARE VERY UPSET TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH 3 SEPARATE UNITS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230139

88,183 miles · May 18, 2008
Electrical System

OLDSMOBILES HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND I AM HAVING MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THIS WAS THE START OF MY PROBLEMS LAST YEAR FIRST IT WAS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT COST ME 775.00 TO FIX. I WENT TO THE MALL FOR LUNCH AND CAME BACK AND THE CAR WOULD MOT START. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT…

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OLDSMOBILES HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND I AM HAVING MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THIS WAS THE START OF MY PROBLEMS LAST YEAR FIRST IT WAS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT COST ME 775.00 TO FIX. I WENT TO THE MALL FOR LUNCH AND CAME BACK AND THE CAR WOULD MOT START. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT SENSORS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUE AND COME MORE FREQUENTLY THIS WAS 3-12-2008 THE SECOND PROBLEM COST ME 589.00 THE MODULE AND POIL PAVK ASSEMBLY, I WAS PARKED IN AT SCHOOL AND BARELY MADE IT HOME, THE CAR WAS GOING ALL OF 10-15 MILES AN HOUR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, BY THE GRACE OF GOD I MADE IT HOME ONLY LIVE ABOUT 10 MILES FROM SCHOOL. WHEN I GOT UP THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THIS STARTED MAY 1, 2008 THAT LEADS US TO PROBLEM THREE WHICH IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW THE TURNING AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES AND THE CAR MAKES A TICKING SOUND LIKE THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON WHEN ITS NOT AND THEM IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS SHORT CIRCUITING.. ( WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS COVERED BY GM, WILL CONTACT THEM TO SEE IF THIS IS TRUE) NOW HERE WE ARE AT PROBLEM THIS STATED 5-18-2008 FOUR IN A MATTER OF WEEKS: THE TRAC OFF LIGHT, SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND ANOTHER LIGHT IS ON THE DASH ( I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH WHICH LIGHT THAT IS) ALL OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR HAS BEEN ELECTRICAL AND I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE AT THE AUTO ADVANTAGE THAT THESE CARS ARE NOTIFIES FOR THIS. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE IN REGARD TO THIS. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND IT IS FULL OF THE SAME ISSUES. THERE IS NOT WAY THAT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE LOCATED IN ALL STATES EVERYWHERE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THIS IS NOT A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY GM AND NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228112

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…

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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

74,000 miles · Apr 25, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. IT TOOK HIM APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. IT TOOK HIM APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN WEEKS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10225694

52,000 miles · Mar 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXISTENCE OF ENGINE OIL APPEARING IN RADIATOR SYSTEM COOLANT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222645

85,200 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

(1) NO WARNING -JUST AT DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS BEFORE. (2) TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE ON INTERSTATE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE & HAD TO STEER CAR OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH NO POWER & HIGH TRAFFIC LOAD. HAVE READ NOW OF NUMEROUS FAILURES OF OLDSMOBILE ALEROS WITH 2.2 ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT WAS…

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(1) NO WARNING -JUST AT DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS BEFORE. (2) TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE ON INTERSTATE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE & HAD TO STEER CAR OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH NO POWER & HIGH TRAFFIC LOAD. HAVE READ NOW OF NUMEROUS FAILURES OF OLDSMOBILE ALEROS WITH 2.2 ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT WAS APPARENTLY REDESIGNED IN 2005 TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. NO RECALLS ON THIS DEFECT. (3) I AM HAVING ENGINE REPLACED AS IT IS DESTROYED FROM THE 70MPH FAILURE. ENGINE IS STILL AVAILABLE IF NEEDED FOR INVESTIGATION IF YOU LET ME KNOW REAL SOON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221126

68,500 miles · Mar 6, 2008
Electrical System

PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM KEEPS DISABLING VEHICLE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, THEN THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WILL NOT START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220246

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility

REAR DEFROSTER CIRCUIT FAILURE. FUSE OK, RELAY OK, WINDOW IMPRINT OK. REAR ELECTRICAL DEFROST AND ANTENNA MODULE FAILS. REAR VISIBILITY IN COLD CLIMATE COMPLETELY BLOCKED WHEN REAR. WINDOW FROSTED. *TR MANY CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME HAVE REPORTED THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE ELEC…

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REAR DEFROSTER CIRCUIT FAILURE. FUSE OK, RELAY OK, WINDOW IMPRINT OK. REAR ELECTRICAL DEFROST AND ANTENNA MODULE FAILS. REAR VISIBILITY IN COLD CLIMATE COMPLETELY BLOCKED WHEN REAR. WINDOW FROSTED. *TR MANY CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME HAVE REPORTED THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE ELECTRICAL MODULE INSIDE THE REAR-COLUMN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS OVERHEATING AND MELTING, BREAKING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT.

NHTSA ODI #10216688

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.