NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
24 reportsClear category filter125,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemService BrakesCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10639807
170,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A SIDE WALL AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO I…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A SIDE WALL AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10633613
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2014
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/24/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10633174
93,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Air BagsEngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAG…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING BUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF CONSTANT ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10579641
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE IN THE GM RECALL. WHEN STARING THE CAR AT TIMES THERE IS A DELAY WITH DASH BOARD LIGHTS COMING ON. ALSO WINDOWS NOT WORKING ,RADIO, AND SENSOR LIGHTS. I WAS TOLD BY TECH IT MAY BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM BUT WHEN IT WAS ON THE COMPUTER SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT. MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON THEN HE SAID…
Read full complaint
I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE IN THE GM RECALL. WHEN STARING THE CAR AT TIMES THERE IS A DELAY WITH DASH BOARD LIGHTS COMING ON. ALSO WINDOWS NOT WORKING ,RADIO, AND SENSOR LIGHTS. I WAS TOLD BY TECH IT MAY BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM BUT WHEN IT WAS ON THE COMPUTER SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT. MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON THEN HE SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN WHICH HE WOULD NEED TO BREAK MY STEERING COLUMN THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 152000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573195
100,900 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngineFire
TODAY I STARTED MY CAR WITH MY AUTOMATIC STARTER THEN 7 MINUTES LATER I HEAR A HORN NON STOP BEEPING I LOOKOUT MY DOOR AND MY CAR IS SMOKING AND IN FLAMES FROM HOOD. INVESTIGATOR TELLS ME IT TOTALED. AFTER THEY PUT THE FIRE OUT I LOOK IN CAR AND ONLY ONE AIR BAG CAME OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566241
80,000 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Air BagsElectrical System
APPROXIMATELY 2 PLUS YEARS AGO MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED, HOWEVER I DID PURCHASE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE HORN WAS CONNECTED TO AIRBAG MODULE AND THAT THE CONTACTS WERE SHOT. TO GET MY HORN BACK I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A PE…
Read full complaint
APPROXIMATELY 2 PLUS YEARS AGO MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED, HOWEVER I DID PURCHASE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE HORN WAS CONNECTED TO AIRBAG MODULE AND THAT THE CONTACTS WERE SHOT. TO GET MY HORN BACK I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A PERFECTLY GOOD, I HOPE, AIRBAG MODULE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1100.00. THIS A B.S. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A NEW AIRBAG MODULE. I AM STILL WITHOUT A HORN. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN HAVING A HORN IS IMPORTANT. IN MY MIND THIS IS SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM? TO ME THIS IS A 'BLATANT' SAFETY HAZARD. WILL MY AIRBAG WORK PROPERLY IF I EVER NEED IT???? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430794
85,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COVERING FOR THE AIR BAG WAS SHIFTING AND THAT 2/3 OF THE COVERING WAS UP IN THE AIR. THE SURFACE WAS NO LONGER SMOOTH. THE CONTACT HAD A SEAMSTRESS INSPECT THE SURFACE. THE SEAMSTRESS ADVISED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COVERING FOR THE AIR BAG WAS SHIFTING AND THAT 2/3 OF THE COVERING WAS UP IN THE AIR. THE SURFACE WAS NO LONGER SMOOTH. THE CONTACT HAD A SEAMSTRESS INSPECT THE SURFACE. THE SEAMSTRESS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD POTENTIALLY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10355464
75,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Air BagsElectrical System
MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE HORN/AIRBAG ASSEMBLY FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT STARTED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE HORN, IN COLD WEATHER, HONKS. IT WOULD GO OFF AND CONTINUE IN A CONSTANT HONK (NOT A PULSING HONK) AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE RELAY UNDER THE HOOD IS PULLED. IF THE RELAY IS REPLACED AND THE WEATHER IS STILL COLD IT WOULD GO OFF/…
Read full complaint
MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE HORN/AIRBAG ASSEMBLY FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT STARTED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE HORN, IN COLD WEATHER, HONKS. IT WOULD GO OFF AND CONTINUE IN A CONSTANT HONK (NOT A PULSING HONK) AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE RELAY UNDER THE HOOD IS PULLED. IF THE RELAY IS REPLACED AND THE WEATHER IS STILL COLD IT WOULD GO OFF/HONK WHILE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD. THE WHOLE HORN/AIRBAG ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACE. I REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY 2 YEARS AGO. NOW THE NEW HORN ASSEMBLY GOES OFF EVEN IN WARM WEATHER. SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, GOING DOWN THE ROAD, WHENEVER, CAUSING UN-NEEDED ATTENTION AND DISTRACTING OTHER DRIVERS. THE ONLY SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO TOTALLY DISABLE THE HORN/AIRBAG BY REMOVING THE RELAY UNDER THE HOOD LEAVING ME WITH NO HORN AT ALL. THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS OVER $900. MONEY I CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE THIRD UNIT WON'T DO THE SAME THING AS THE OTHER TWO. WHEN I ENTER A SEARCH ON-LINE THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ALERO OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281817
42,925 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2003 ALERO IGNITION SHORTED CAUSING CONSUMER NOT BE ABLE TO START VEHICLE, ALSO FOUND A LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *TS THE PASSLOCK SENSOR IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER SHORTED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE INTAKE GASKETS AND OIL DRIVE O-RING LEAKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, RO…
Read full complaint
2003 ALERO IGNITION SHORTED CAUSING CONSUMER NOT BE ABLE TO START VEHICLE, ALSO FOUND A LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. *TS THE PASSLOCK SENSOR IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER SHORTED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE INTAKE GASKETS AND OIL DRIVE O-RING LEAKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, ROCKER COVER GASKETS AND OIL PUMP DRIVESHAFT COVER SEAL. THE AIR BAG COVER WARPED. THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS WRINKLED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAN WAS PEELING FROM IT'S BACKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY AND TRANSFERRED ALL COMPONENTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148670
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
Nov 1, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗