IllustrationRECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LAMPS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR BECAME INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER SAW THIS RECALL ON NHTSA WEBSITE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
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 reportsCONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BONDING. *AK......THE INSIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD LININGS SEPARATED FROM BACKING PLATE, LEFT PAD WORE OUT MORE THAN RIGHT. DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING. THEY CLAIME DIT WAS A WORN OUT PART NOT A DEFECT. CALLED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CANTER. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME TO DEALER AN…
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CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BONDING. *AK......THE INSIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD LININGS SEPARATED FROM BACKING PLATE, LEFT PAD WORE OUT MORE THAN RIGHT. DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING. THEY CLAIME DIT WAS A WORN OUT PART NOT A DEFECT. CALLED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CANTER. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME TO DEALER AND CLAIMED IF THIS WOULD HAV EHAPPENED AT 24,000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FACTORY DEFECT. AN INDEPENDENT PARTS DEALER SAID THAT THE BONDING SHOULD NEVER FAIL, NOMATTER OF MILEAGE. *AK
2002 OLDS ALERO V6 WITH 24,000 MILES BEGAN DEVELOPED PULSATION AND NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES. DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS AND RESURFACED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER WARRANTY WORK, CREAKING NOISE DEVELOPED IN FRONT BRAKES. DEALER DIAGNOSED CLIPS ON BRAKE PADS AS CULPRIT AND REFUSED WARRANTY REPAIR. BRAKE PADS HAVE 5MM+ REMAINING AND…
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2002 OLDS ALERO V6 WITH 24,000 MILES BEGAN DEVELOPED PULSATION AND NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES. DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS AND RESURFACED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER WARRANTY WORK, CREAKING NOISE DEVELOPED IN FRONT BRAKES. DEALER DIAGNOSED CLIPS ON BRAKE PADS AS CULPRIT AND REFUSED WARRANTY REPAIR. BRAKE PADS HAVE 5MM+ REMAINING AND SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACEMENT UNDER "WEAR PARTS" AT 24,000 MILES. EXCESSIVE CREAKING CONTINUES.*AK
TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IF I PUSH THE EMERGENCY FLASHER IN AND OUT, THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WORK NORMALLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE ABOUT JUNE 04. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER 29 DECEMBER 2004. IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT (2) TIMES PREVIOUSL…
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TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IF I PUSH THE EMERGENCY FLASHER IN AND OUT, THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WORK NORMALLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE ABOUT JUNE 04. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER 29 DECEMBER 2004. IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT (2) TIMES PREVIOUSLY. *JB
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 7 MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY, THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT COUNTLESS TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED THE PLANT WHERE THE CAR CAME FROM AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A CAR SERVICE THAT SPECIALIZES IN OLDSMOBILES. …
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 7 MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY, THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT COUNTLESS TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED THE PLANT WHERE THE CAR CAME FROM AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A CAR SERVICE THAT SPECIALIZES IN OLDSMOBILES. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, AND THEY FIXED IT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT COULD BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL, HOWEVER THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THE CAR TEARS ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO START, HOWEVER, IT TAKES THREE TRIES BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY STARTS. SOMETIMES, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. I HAVE ALSO HAD OCCASSIONS WHERE THE CAR HAS CUT OFF AS I AM PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAVE 49,900 MILES ON IT. IT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OR THE SEVERITY OF IT, HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER THE CAR WILL BREAKDOWN TO A POINT WHERE IT WILL CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.*AK
TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHER WORK ONLY ONCE IN AWHILE ALL OF A SUDDEN. *LA
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE SHOOK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED STEERING BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $900.00 *AK
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
I OWN A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING A NOISE AT 15,000 MILES AND I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICEMAN THAT IT WAS COMMON BECAUSE THE ROTORS WERE MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL AND DO NOT HOLD UP DUE TO SALT BEING USED ON THE ROADS.*AK
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED THE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENTS: A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, INTAKE MANIFOLD, MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH, AND AN ENGINE OIL FLUSH. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT TURN, BUT DID NOT KNOW THAT VEHICLE…
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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED THE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENTS: A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, INTAKE MANIFOLD, MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH, AND AN ENGINE OIL FLUSH. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT TURN, BUT DID NOT KNOW THAT VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW SWITCH. ALSO, THERE WAS TICKING NOISE WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. *AK
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.