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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
88,000 miles · Aug 10, 2005
Exterior Lighting

DT: 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND IT WAS THE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH FAILED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER HAS DONE NOTHING TO COR…

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DT: 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND IT WAS THE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH FAILED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM . OLDSMOBILE WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT MODEL YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132242

39,275 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

FRIDAY, 7/15/05, I TOOK MY 2002 OLDS ALERO TO JEFF SCHMIDT IN FAIRBORN, OH FOR SERVICE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW NOT WORKING. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL AS THE WINDOW. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE LOT, THE …

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FRIDAY, 7/15/05, I TOOK MY 2002 OLDS ALERO TO JEFF SCHMIDT IN FAIRBORN, OH FOR SERVICE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW NOT WORKING. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL AS THE WINDOW. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE LOT, THE CAR SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I PARK IN THE GARAGE AT HOME AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY SPILLS ON THE FLOOR AND ASSUMED IT WAS JUST OVERFLOW WHERE THE SERVICE TECH DID THE REPAIRS. THURSDAY, 7/21/05, I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND THE SMELL WAS REALLY BAD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF COOLANT INSIDE THE CAR DOWN ON THE FRAME (I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS CALLED). I ALSO NOTICED INSIDE THE CAR THE DASH AT THE WINDSHIELD WAS RUFFLED/WRINKLED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HAD A FIRE OR SOMETHING REALLY GOT HOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND LEARNED THAT I HAD TWO BROKEN HOSES AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE THE HOSES WERE REATTACHED AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THESE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FUNNY I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNTIL THEY TOLD ME I HAD A PROBLEM LAST WEEK. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY, I HAVE 6 YRS. 60,000 MILES, DID NOT COVER THE DASH. IT WAS CONSIDERED COSMETIC. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. I'VE WORKED FOR GM/DELPHI FOR 28 YEARS, HAVE HAD 7 VEHICLES IN THIS TIME PERIOD, NEW ONES, AND HAVE NEVER HAD A DASH TO COME APART. ALSO, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A INTAKE MANIFOLD GOING BAD ON A CAR WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE DASH WHERE THE LEATHER HAS COME APART FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #10129708

50,000 miles · Jul 21, 2005
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsStructure

I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS IN FEB. OF THIS YEAR(2005). THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. 3 DAYS LATER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY THEN REPLACED THE HOUSING. BEGINING OF JUNE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURE AGIAN. TOWED IT BACK TO THE DEALER…

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I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS IN FEB. OF THIS YEAR(2005). THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. 3 DAYS LATER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY THEN REPLACED THE HOUSING. BEGINING OF JUNE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURE AGIAN. TOWED IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. OF COURSE IT STARTED AT THE DEALER. 2 WEEKS LATER AND IT STILL WILL NOT START AGIAN. THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS COMMING ON BEFORE IT STOPED RUNNING. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. IF YOU GO TO WWW.AUTOMOTIVEHELPER.COM AND GO UNDER ALERO, YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA ODI #10129646

50,000 miles · Jul 19, 2005
SteeringCrashInjury

AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 496 FROM WAVERLY RD IN LANSING HEADED EAST MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN SHAKING TERRIBLY AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW THE VEHICLE JUST SHOT TO THE RIGHT AT INCREASED SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT A NUMBER OF TREES BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. ONCE TH…

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AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY 496 FROM WAVERLY RD IN LANSING HEADED EAST MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN SHAKING TERRIBLY AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW THE VEHICLE JUST SHOT TO THE RIGHT AT INCREASED SPEED CAUSING ME TO HIT A NUMBER OF TREES BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. ONCE THE TOW TRUCK CAME HE DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE ROD BROKE ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS A 2002 ALERO STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED JULY 14, 2005 FOR OIL CHANGE TIRE PRESSURE CHECK AND SO FORTH.

NHTSA ODI #10129342

25,000 miles · Jul 14, 2005
Wheels

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THREE NEW WHEEL BEARINGS, TWO ON THE RIGHT AND ONE ON THE LEFT IN LESS THAN 57,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10128788

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT IF THE FUSE IS IN THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONSTANTLY RUN. WHEN HE FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE DEALER CLAIMED HE FIX IT. THE SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE SEEM TO BE GOING TOO FAST, AND IT SMELLS LIKE THE WIRES ARE BURNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10125955

67,000 miles · Jun 20, 2005
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2002 OLDS ALERO GLS. THE 2001 OLDS ALERO HAS THIS RECALL: HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. …

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I HAVE A 2002 OLDS ALERO GLS. THE 2001 OLDS ALERO HAS THIS RECALL: HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. GM WAS THE WOST HELP EVER. THEY HUNG UP ON ME. IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THEY HAVE QUIT WORKING MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REAMBER. I HAVE ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY GAGE CLUSTER. ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A MONTH IT DOSENT OPPERATE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ECT OR SPEDO RPM ECT WORK THERE JUST "DEAD" UNTIL U RESTART THE CAR. THE OLDS BRAVADA HAS A RECALL FOR IT. WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAN IS HOW AN 01 ALERO HAVE RECALLS AND A 03 HAVE RECALLS BUT NOT AN 02. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY TURN SIGNALS QUIT. I DONT KNOW HOW LONG THEY WERE OUT BEFORE I THEY WERENT WORKING. I DID HAVE A FRIND OF MINE LOOK AT THE CAR WHO IS A CERTIFIED GM TECH AND SAID IT WAS A LOSSE WIRE UP IN THE DASH.

NHTSA ODI #10125791

63,480 miles · Jun 14, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

ON MAY 26TH, 2005 I STARTED MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROSTER. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN "EXPLOSION" IN THE REAR OF MY CAR. THE REAR DEFROSTER HEATING MECHANISM THAT HOOKS UP TO THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE TO THE ENTIRE REAR OF MY CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A…

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ON MAY 26TH, 2005 I STARTED MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND TURNED ON MY REAR DEFROSTER. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES OF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE WAS AN "EXPLOSION" IN THE REAR OF MY CAR. THE REAR DEFROSTER HEATING MECHANISM THAT HOOKS UP TO THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE TO THE ENTIRE REAR OF MY CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST, MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED MY CAR. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND NO MAJOR WORK HAS EVER BEEN PERFORMED. GM WILL NOT GET INVOLVED DUE TO THE FACT THAT LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10125212

115,000 miles · Jun 12, 2005
Exterior Lighting

BASICALLY I OWN A OLDSMOBILE 2000 INTRIGUE AND AN 2002 ALERO. MY WIFES INTRIQUE HAZARD SWITCH CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS TO FAIL RAMDOMLY. I TOOK IT IN DURING WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT "REPRODUCE" THE FAILURE. AFTER WARRANTY WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A STATE INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD US THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS DEFEC…

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BASICALLY I OWN A OLDSMOBILE 2000 INTRIGUE AND AN 2002 ALERO. MY WIFES INTRIQUE HAZARD SWITCH CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS TO FAIL RAMDOMLY. I TOOK IT IN DURING WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT "REPRODUCE" THE FAILURE. AFTER WARRANTY WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A STATE INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD US THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. SO I PAID THE $18 SINCE THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. NOW MY 2002 ALERO IS DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THING. WHEN I GO TO USE MY TURN SIGNALS THEY DONT WORK BUT IF I PUSH ON THE HAZARD SWITCH IN/OUT OR WIGGLE IT THEY START WORKING. I BELIEVE GM HAD A RECALL ON THE HAZARD SWITCH BACK AROUND 1998?? I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUE. OBCVIOUSLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND PREPARING TO INITIATE A TURN AND YOUR SIGNALS DONT WORK CAN EASILY CAUSE A COLLISION. I AM IN MY MID 40'S AND HAVE HAD MANY CARS, SO HAVE MY PARENTS FROM THE 1960'S AND NEVER HAVE I SEEN A HAZARD SWITCH FAIL. I HAVE SEEN BULBS FAIL THAT WILL CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS TO NOT FLASH BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT GM HAD A RECALL IN THE LATE 1990'S AND I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT CARS HAVE THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. I AM GOING TO GO AND BY ANOTHER SWITCH BUT BECAUSE IT INVOLVES A CRITICAL SAFTEY FEATURE I FELT COMPELLED TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE SEEN. I BELIEVE YOU CAN CHECK THE FAILURE RATE BY REQUIRING GM TO PRODUCE THEIR SALES DATABASE ON SALES OF HAZARD SWITCHES FROM THE 1990'S TO 2005 SINCE THIS ITEM IS NOT USUALLY REPRODUCED OR SOLD BY 3RD PARTIES.

NHTSA ODI #10125040

35,000 miles · Jun 6, 2005
Visibility

DT: TWO DOOR VEHICLE. THE POWER WINDOWS MECHANISM THAT SUPPORTS THE WINDOW BROKE. THE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP. CONSUMER HAD ONE SIDE REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10124357

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.