IllustrationMY TENSOR PULLEY IS GOING OUT AND MY SAFETY SENSORS LIKE ANTI LOCK, TRAC OFF AND NOW SERVICE ENGINE SOON KEEP COMING ON HAD IT IN SHOP AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW ITS MAKING LOUD NOISES.IT HAPPENS WHEN IM STOPPED AND MOVING
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
What owners actually said
279 reportsIT JUST STARTED AFTER THE SECURITY GOT LOCK AND HAD TO BE OVER DRIVE. WHEN YOU DRIVE YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR IDLE BAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO STOP FOR A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR IF YOU HAVE TO STOP TO TURN AND YOU GET BELOW 1 MGA TURNS OFF. YESTERDAY IT DID THIS AND TURN OFF AND ALL IT WOULD DO IS JUST TURNS BUT DOESN'T START. IN THE MIDD…
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IT JUST STARTED AFTER THE SECURITY GOT LOCK AND HAD TO BE OVER DRIVE. WHEN YOU DRIVE YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR IDLE BAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO STOP FOR A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR IF YOU HAVE TO STOP TO TURN AND YOU GET BELOW 1 MGA TURNS OFF. YESTERDAY IT DID THIS AND TURN OFF AND ALL IT WOULD DO IS JUST TURNS BUT DOESN'T START. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT'S NOT GET FUEL OR AIR WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. YOU CAN DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT AND WATCH THE MGA, I THINK, 1,2,3, ILDEL DOWN A LITTLE. STARTED END OF SEPT OR NO TROUBLER
ALERO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WON'T START BACK FOR HOURS. DEALERSHIP AND MECHANICS CAN'T FIND OUT WHY THIS IS OCCURRING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, THE CAR RANDOMLY CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS FORUM WHERE OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE VERY SAME ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/OLDSMOBILE/ALER…
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ALERO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WON'T START BACK FOR HOURS. DEALERSHIP AND MECHANICS CAN'T FIND OUT WHY THIS IS OCCURRING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, THE CAR RANDOMLY CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS FORUM WHERE OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE VERY SAME ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/OLDSMOBILE/ALERO/2000/ENGINE/ENGINE_CUTS_OFF_WHILE_DRIVING.SHTML.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT TOOK REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT TOOK REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,680.
"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL" MY CAR IS NOT REGISTERED WITH THE RECALL BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY CARS STARTER AS MY BROTHER DID WITH HIS 2002 MALIBU THAT HAS THIS RECALL AND HE GOT HIS FIXED AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. MY CAR DOES NOT START HALF THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO START IT.
DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING NOTHING ON DASH WORKS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
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
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.
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.