NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
184 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 20, 2012
Electrical System
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECURITY SYSTEM STARTED FLASHING FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR AND CONNECTOR. *JB UPDATED 12/03/12. *JB UPDATED 04/03/14 *JB UPDATED 12/03/14. …
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2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECURITY SYSTEM STARTED FLASHING FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR AND CONNECTOR. *JB UPDATED 12/03/12. *JB UPDATED 04/03/14 *JB UPDATED 12/03/14. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10471122
160,000 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Electrical System
THE ODOMETER FADED OUT. CAME BACK ON WHEN I KNOCKED ON THE DASH. THIS WORKED 2 OR 3 TIMES. NOW NO ODOMETER. THE OTHER DASH LIGHTS ARE WORKING FINE. JUST THE ODOMETER. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462853
81,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THIS CAR OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. THERE ARE SOME DAYS IT WON'T START, THEN THERE ARE SOME DAYS THAT WHEN IT STARTS, AS I'M DRIVING IT WILL DIE..... SOMETIMES IT WILL START AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FIRST (GM DEALER) THEY FIRST CLEANED OUT THE IGNITERS, THAT WORKED…
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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THIS CAR OFF AND ON FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. THERE ARE SOME DAYS IT WON'T START, THEN THERE ARE SOME DAYS THAT WHEN IT STARTS, AS I'M DRIVING IT WILL DIE..... SOMETIMES IT WILL START AGAIN AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FIRST (GM DEALER) THEY FIRST CLEANED OUT THE IGNITERS, THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THEN THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW FUEL PUMP, HAD THAT REPLACED, THAT LASTED ABOUT A YEAR, THEN MY MACHANIC REPLACED MY IGNITION SWITCH, SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSOR GONE BAD....GUESS WHAT...GOOD FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS..... NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR WITH LITTLE MONEY TO FIX IT. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462780
96,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10453859
135,999 miles · Feb 15, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AT 55MPH AND MY CAR DIED I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF ROAD LUCKY I DIDN'T GET IN A WRECK IT HAS HAPPEN 2 TIMES SO FAR AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE ROAD FOR 20 MINUTES IT STARTED BACK UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448078
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…
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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
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
THIS ALL STARTED ESTIMATED IN APRIL 2010. WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON I KNOW IT WILL NOT START THE NEXT TIME I GET IN IT. IT COULD NOT START ONCE OR 3 TIMES. IT VERY SCARY SITTING IN MY CAR WITH THE KEY TURNED ON FOR 10 MINUTES. THEN I CAN TURN IT OFF AND TURN BACK ON AND IT WILL START. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND HE…
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THIS ALL STARTED ESTIMATED IN APRIL 2010. WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON I KNOW IT WILL NOT START THE NEXT TIME I GET IN IT. IT COULD NOT START ONCE OR 3 TIMES. IT VERY SCARY SITTING IN MY CAR WITH THE KEY TURNED ON FOR 10 MINUTES. THEN I CAN TURN IT OFF AND TURN BACK ON AND IT WILL START. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND HE PUT A NEW FUEL PUMP ON IT, THEN IT DID IT AGAIN AND THE NEXT TIME HE FIRXED IT BY RESETING THE COMPUTER BUT IT DID LAST. I TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WAY I FOUND OUT HOW TO FIX WAS I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HE TOLD ME WHAT TO DO. HAVE YOU HAD ANY COMPAINTS LIKE THIS? *TT
NHTSA ODI #10425807
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2011
Electrical System
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK, WENT TO THE DMV TO TAKE A DRIVING TEST AND THE HORN WOULD NOT START. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK HOME, CHECKED THE FUSE BOX. THE HORN FUSE HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. PUT A NEW FUSE IN AND THE HORN WOULD NOT STOP. I MUST ALSO INCLUDE THAT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, MY KEYLESS CAR ENTRY/LOCK WI…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK, WENT TO THE DMV TO TAKE A DRIVING TEST AND THE HORN WOULD NOT START. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK HOME, CHECKED THE FUSE BOX. THE HORN FUSE HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. PUT A NEW FUSE IN AND THE HORN WOULD NOT STOP. I MUST ALSO INCLUDE THAT DUE TO THIS FAILURE, MY KEYLESS CAR ENTRY/LOCK WILL NOT BEEP. ALSO, I ASSUME THAT MY CAR ALARM WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BROUGHT CAR TO THE MECHANIC, APPARENTLY IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THE AIRBAG MUST BE REMOVED, COSTING APPROXIMATELY $1800 TO REPAIR. OBVIOUSLY, I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY THIS PRICE AND NOW WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A MAKESHIFT HORN OPTION. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416347
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2011
Electrical System
2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSE MY CAR NOT TO START, I HAVE TO RESET WHICH TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES, AND PRAYING IT WILL START AFTER THAT. BUT AT TIMES THE BATTERY WENT DEAD BEFORE THE SECURITY LIGHT QUIT FLASHING AS ALOT LONGER THEN 10 MINUTES HAVE A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. 4-09-2011 WAS IN A PARKING LOT WAS …
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2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSE MY CAR NOT TO START, I HAVE TO RESET WHICH TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES, AND PRAYING IT WILL START AFTER THAT. BUT AT TIMES THE BATTERY WENT DEAD BEFORE THE SECURITY LIGHT QUIT FLASHING AS ALOT LONGER THEN 10 MINUTES HAVE A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. 4-09-2011 WAS IN A PARKING LOT WAS THE 6TH TIME THIS HAPPEN. THEN ON 4-11-2011 WHEN GOING TO TAKE MOM FOR DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. AGAIN NEXT DAY AFTER A FUNERAL WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ON 4-13-2011 TOOK TO CAR DEALER AND THEY HAD TO PUT IN A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WHICH COSTS ME $575. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS SO MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS MAY END ME BUYING ANOTHER OLDSMOBILE OR CHEVY I WAS GETTING SO AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT ANY MORE AND BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE, HAVE NOT BEEN TAKING MY GREAT GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR AS THE ARE AGES 5 AND UNDER. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL WITH SO MANY OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396050
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
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 ↗