IllustrationTHE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER HAD A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
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 reportsMY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND TRAC LIGHT STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED WITH THE RESULT BEING "MY GAS CAP WAS NOT TIGHT." I FEEL THERE IS MORE TO THIS THAN THEY SAY DUE TO KNOWING 3 OTHER ALERO OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK
THE ACCELERATOR (THROTTLE) GOT STUCK WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 45 MILES PER HOUR AND CAUSED THE CAR TO RUN FAST CAUSING HER NOT TO BE ABLE TO STOP AT A INTERSECTION SENDING THE VEHICLE OVER A DITCH AND HURTING HER AND THE PASSENGER.*AK WE HAVE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES, NO OTHER CAR WAS INVOLVED.
PROBLEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON WEDNESDAY 8/20/03 JUST ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATE 30 MILES WHEN THIS LIGHT CAME ON. CALL THE DEALER FROM WHICH I BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM CAR.CALL:BACON AUTOPLEX IN PALESTINE TEXAS . PURCHASED 7/14/03 WITH 14, 016 MILES…
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PROBLEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON WEDNESDAY 8/20/03 JUST ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATE 30 MILES WHEN THIS LIGHT CAME ON. CALL THE DEALER FROM WHICH I BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM CAR.CALL:BACON AUTOPLEX IN PALESTINE TEXAS . PURCHASED 7/14/03 WITH 14, 016 MILES. CALLED THEM ABOUT 3PM ON 8/20/03. I FILLED UP WITH GAS ( WHICH GAUGE INDICATED 1/2/ FULL) PRIOR TO THE 30 MILES THEN LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULDN'T HURT TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE NO ONE WAS THERE(BACON) TO TEST FOR THE CAUSE ON 8/20/03. TOLD(BACON ) THAT I WAS GOING TO DRIVE OVER 140 ON 8/21/03. SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT HURT. THE LIGHT WENT OFF 8/21/03 1/2 MILES FROM MY HOME. 8/22/03 ABOUT 11 AM THE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE AGAIN 15699 MILES. CALL BACON 8/22/03 REGARDING THE PROBLEM ONCE AGAIN. THEY SAID THAT I COULD BRING IT OVER FOR TESTING WHICH I DID. FOUND A CODE 440? WHAT EVER THAT WAS. BACON SAID IT COULD BE SEVERAL THINGS. DID NOT MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO FURTHER TEST. I DID TALK TO THE MANAGER OF BACON, STILL NO ATTEMPT TO TEST IT FURTHER. MANAGE DID ASK IF I WANTED ANOTHER CAR. WHY WOULD I WANT ANOTHER OLDS ALERO ? IWAS MORE THEN UP SET: I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THIS CAR. FAIL TO DO THE TESTING FOR EXACT CAUSE. APPOINTMENT MADE BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IT WILL BE DONE AT THIS TIME SINCE FOR NOW THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE CAUSE. THE LIGHT COMES ON WITH FUEL IS 1/2/ FULL BOTH TIMES.
MY CAR HAD SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE INTAKE GASKETS TO WHERE THE PLASTIC MELTED TO THE ENGINE, THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT AND CLEANED AND ALL OF THE INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED OR CLIMB A HILL THE CAR DO…
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MY CAR HAD SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE INTAKE GASKETS TO WHERE THE PLASTIC MELTED TO THE ENGINE, THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT AND CLEANED AND ALL OF THE INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED OR CLIMB A HILL THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AND AT TIMES LOOSES SPEED. THIS CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, THE DEALER STATES NOTHING IS WRONG. THE GAS NEEDLE WILL READ FULL AND THEN THE CAR WILL RUN OUT OF GAS THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY LEAVING ME STRANDED AND SEVERAL TIMES AROUND TOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE GAS SENSORS. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY WITH LESS THAN HALF A TANK OF GAS. THE DEFROSTER, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT STILL AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS IN DO NOT HEAT UP OR COOL DOWN THE CAR. ONE DAY I HAD STARTED THE CAR HALF AN HOUR BEFORE LEAVING AND ON THE WAY TO WORK THE WINDSHIELD FROZE UP, THE DEFROST HAD BEEN AND STILL WAS ON HIGH.
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FAILED ON FEBRUARY 5 AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE THE MORNING OF THE 6TH. GM IS UNABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT PART. THIS PART IS ALSO USED ON THE 2002 GRAND AM WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION. AS THIS RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE (WON\\'T SRART AND CAN\\'T SHIFT GEARS). I FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT THERE ISN\\'T ON…
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CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FAILED ON FEBRUARY 5 AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE THE MORNING OF THE 6TH. GM IS UNABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT PART. THIS PART IS ALSO USED ON THE 2002 GRAND AM WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION. AS THIS RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE (WON\\'T SRART AND CAN\\'T SHIFT GEARS). I FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT THERE ISN\\'T ONE TO BE FOUND IN THE US
WHEN MY 2002 ALERO TURNED 37,500 THE FUSE TO THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS BLEW LEAVING ME DRIVING AFTER DARK WITH NO TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS. *AK SO FAR THE MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRACE DOWN THE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP PUTTING IN NEW FUSES AND THEY JUST KEEP BLOWING. THEY H…
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WHEN MY 2002 ALERO TURNED 37,500 THE FUSE TO THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS BLEW LEAVING ME DRIVING AFTER DARK WITH NO TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS. *AK SO FAR THE MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRACE DOWN THE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP PUTTING IN NEW FUSES AND THEY JUST KEEP BLOWING. THEY HAVE ORDERED A SWITCH, AND IT IS TO GO BACK INTO THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN, AND TO TRY ONCE MORE TO TRACK DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT IS CAUSING THE FUSE TO BLOW THAT TAKES OUT THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS. I CAN'T DRIVE THIS 2002 ALERO AFTER DARK EVEN IF I HAVE JUST PUT IN A NEW FUSE BECAUSE IT WILL JUST BLOW AGAIN. IF IT DOESN'T BLOW WHILE I AM DRIVING IT, IT WILL JUST BE BLOWN THE NEXT TIME I START IT. IT MAKES DRIVING THIS 2002 ALERO VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AFTER DARK.
LTR FM JULIE ZAWADZKI (NY) REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN SECURING A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SHE RENTED FM BUDGET RENT-A-CAR, HER HUSBAND WAS INJURED IN A VEHICLE CRASH WHEN THE SEATBELT & AIRBAG FAILED. *MR THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW BANK, WENT UP AND THEN ROLLED 60 FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. *SCC *JB *CB
WHILE BRAKING, THE FRONT END WOULD WOBBLE. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
I TOOK A LONG ROAD TRIP VACATION THIS PAST SUMMER. THE 2002 ALERO TURNED OVER 36,000 MILES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I DIDN' T DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS UPON MY RETURN. *AK WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR A FEW DAYS LATER, THE GLUE HAD COME UNGLUED FROM THE LEATHER ON THE DASH AND THREE OF THE DOOR PADS UNDER THE WINDOWS AND THE LEATHE…
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I TOOK A LONG ROAD TRIP VACATION THIS PAST SUMMER. THE 2002 ALERO TURNED OVER 36,000 MILES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I DIDN' T DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS UPON MY RETURN. *AK WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR A FEW DAYS LATER, THE GLUE HAD COME UNGLUED FROM THE LEATHER ON THE DASH AND THREE OF THE DOOR PADS UNDER THE WINDOWS AND THE LEATHER WAS BUCKLED VERY BADLY. YOU CAN VIEW PICUTERS OF THE DASH AND DOOR PADS IF YOU WILL GO TO HTTP://WWW.DILLOWS.COM/ALERO.HTM ON THE INTERNET BECAUSE AS THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE WHO REFUSED TO FIX IT AFTER KEEPING ME WAITING THREE MONTHS TO HEAR THEIR REFUSAL. I CONTACTED GM VIA EMAIL WHO EMAILED BE BACK AND TOLD ME TO NEVER CONTACT THEM AGAIN CONCERNING MY CLAIM # 1-143309922 FOR THE DASH AND DOOR PADS COMING UNGLUED AND BUCKLED BECAUSE OF THEIR FACTORY DEFECTS IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IT IS NOT RIGHT AND SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW FOR GM TO BE ALLOWED TO HAVE SOLD US THE ALERO FULL OF FACTORY DEFECTS AND FOR THEM JUST TO SHUT DOWN THE OLDSMOBILE LINE AND BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE CUSTOMERS WHO PIRCHASED THE ALERO WHICH IS A SERIES OF FACTORY DEFECTS INSIDE AND OUT WITHOUT BEING HELT RESPONSIBLE.
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.