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2003 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 279.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

128 reports with mileage · 56 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 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

Equipment complaints

3 reports
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88,500 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500.

NHTSA ODI #10637273

82,000 miles · Apr 7, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment

I HAVE A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, CHECKED FUSE AND THAT WAS FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HORN IS ATTACHED TO AIRBAG MODULE, TO GET HORN TO WORK AGAIN I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE AIRBAG MODULE, APPROXIMATE COST $1100.00. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR REPAI…

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I HAVE A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, CHECKED FUSE AND THAT WAS FINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HORN IS ATTACHED TO AIRBAG MODULE, TO GET HORN TO WORK AGAIN I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE AIRBAG MODULE, APPROXIMATE COST $1100.00. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR REPAIR. I NEED A HORN.....NOT A NEW AIRBAG MODULE! WHY REPLACE A PERFECTLY GOOD AIRBAG MODULE TO GET THE HORN TO WORK? DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW. COSTLY ONE AT THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395177

25 miles · Apr 14, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Other

03 OLDS ALERO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED AND MODULATOR SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING OR WON'T START FLASHERS HAVE A PROBLEM TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS CONTINUES INTERMITTENT START CAR IN DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS NOW STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT SURGES THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD CAR BUT NOT. …

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03 OLDS ALERO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED AND MODULATOR SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING OR WON'T START FLASHERS HAVE A PROBLEM TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS CONTINUES INTERMITTENT START CAR IN DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS NOW STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT SURGES THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD CAR BUT NOT. CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265329

Official recalls

2

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.

04V528000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.