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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

184 reports
30,000 miles · Jun 25, 2008
Electrical SystemTires

BOUGHT CAR IN 2006, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED VEHICLE. CAR DOES NOT CRANK, MUST WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO RESTART. SOMETIMES CAR DOES NOT START STILL, MAKES ME WAIT ANOTHER 10 MIN. HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SYSTEM KILLING THE BATTERY WHILE WAITING - ESPECIALLY IN WINTER, EVEN WITH ALL EXTRAS (INCLUDING HEAT)…

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BOUGHT CAR IN 2006, HAVE HAD PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I'VE OWNED VEHICLE. CAR DOES NOT CRANK, MUST WAIT 10 MINUTES AND TRY TO RESTART. SOMETIMES CAR DOES NOT START STILL, MAKES ME WAIT ANOTHER 10 MIN. HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SYSTEM KILLING THE BATTERY WHILE WAITING - ESPECIALLY IN WINTER, EVEN WITH ALL EXTRAS (INCLUDING HEAT) TURNED OFF. NOT SAFE TO HAVE FEMALE IN PARKING LOT WHEN CAR DOES NOT START! THIS HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES SOME DAYS, THEN WILL NOT REAPPEAR FOR A WEEK OR TWO, BUT THEFT LIGHT STAYS ON DASH CONSTANTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232253

68,000 miles · May 15, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THREE OCCASIONS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER TURNING OVER. THREE REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS WAS THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE (I.E., CARCOMPLAINTS.COM) AND EVERYTHI…

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VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THREE OCCASIONS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER TURNING OVER. THREE REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS WAS THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE (I.E., CARCOMPLAINTS.COM) AND EVERYTHING FROM REPLACING THE FUEL PUMPS, RELAY SWITCHES, BATTERIES, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS TO WASHING OUT THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN TRIED TO KNOW AVAIL. THE SHOP CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND IT WILL BE HARD TO SELL THE CAR HONESTLY WITH THE PROBLEMS IT HAS. THERE IS A MASS OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM THE FACTORY, AND ALTHOUGH I DOUBT IT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE, I AM ONE MORE PERSON IN THAT MASS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227942

95,000 miles · Apr 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

MY LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING JUST AS IS POPULAR ON THESE TYPES OF ENGINES. ALSO MY TURN SIGNAL IS WORKING OFF AND ON. I HAVE SENT LETTERS TO GM WITH NO RESPONSE OR SUCCESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223520

35,000 miles · Mar 24, 2008
Exterior LightingVisibility

BOUGHT THIS 2003 OLDS ALERO IN 2005 WITH ORIGINAL WARRANTY STILL IN FORCE, ALSO PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAD DASH PEELED BACK AND MATERIAL OVER GLOVE BOX PEELED WHEN PURCHASED, ALSO CRACKED PLASTIC ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE. MOLDING AROUND WINDSHIELD WAS COMING OFF AND HAS SINCE BLOWN AWAY. HAD TO PURCHASE BATT…

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BOUGHT THIS 2003 OLDS ALERO IN 2005 WITH ORIGINAL WARRANTY STILL IN FORCE, ALSO PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAD DASH PEELED BACK AND MATERIAL OVER GLOVE BOX PEELED WHEN PURCHASED, ALSO CRACKED PLASTIC ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE. MOLDING AROUND WINDSHIELD WAS COMING OFF AND HAS SINCE BLOWN AWAY. HAD TO PURCHASE BATTERY ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND 4 NEW TIRES AFTER PURCHASE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED TO GET INTERIOR ITEMS REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THEY DID NOT DO WARRANTY WORK ON THIS BRAND OF VEHICLE, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER WHO SOLD THIS TYPE OF CAR. I DID AND WAS TOLD THAT NONE OF THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, RUNNING LIGHTS ONLY ONE WAS WORKING, FOUND OUT IT HAD BEEN FIXED AND THE BRACKET UNDER WHICH HELD THE LIGHT WAS BROKEN. WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. NOW 2008 AND ALL ITEMS STILL BROKEN SINCE I DID NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR, ALSO CAR PULLS TO LEFT, AND BRAKES ARE GRINDING. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS MANY PROBLEMS BEFORE AT LEAST 75,000 MILES. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222124

69,833 miles · Jan 10, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214460

70,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE, SIZE P225/50R16 (NA) TIRES. THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES ARE CRACKING. BETWEEN THE SIDE AND UPPER TREAD OF THE TIRES, THE CRACKS ARE EXTENDING AND CAUSING MASSIVE TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE PLACE OF PURCHASE (WAL-MART) AND THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE, SIZE P225/50R16 (NA) TIRES. THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES ARE CRACKING. BETWEEN THE SIDE AND UPPER TREAD OF THE TIRES, THE CRACKS ARE EXTENDING AND CAUSING MASSIVE TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE PLACE OF PURCHASE (WAL-MART) AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT AND/OR RETURNS FOR DEFECTS. WAL-MART REFERRED HIM TO GOODYEAR; HOWEVER, THEY WERE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10213307

40,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE FOUR COOPER MASTERCRAFT AVENGER ZHP TIRES TREAD ON ONE OF THE TIRES FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WERE FLAT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH TIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE FOUR COOPER MASTERCRAFT AVENGER ZHP TIRES TREAD ON ONE OF THE TIRES FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES WERE FLAT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH TIRE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE TIRE RETAILER REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A TEMPORARY TIRE . NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 06T004000 WAS RELATED TO THE TIRE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE DATES ON HIS TIRE ARE NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE IS 3,000 AND THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED THREE MONTHS AGO. TIRE SIZE IS 235/35/19 . THE DOT NUMBER IS NOT AVAILABLE. ALTHOUGH ONE OF THE TIRES HAVE FAILED, THE CONTACT HAS OBSERVED THAT ALL OF THE TIRES ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 40,000. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10213869

55,000 miles · Dec 6, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE DEALER COVERED THE COST OF THE FIRST REPAIR AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE LAST TWO REPAIRS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE YET TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. THE DEALER COVERED THE COST OF THE FIRST REPAIR AND THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE LAST TWO REPAIRS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE YET TO OFFER ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,308.

NHTSA ODI #10210993

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2007
Electrical System

BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL…

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BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL HAS ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SECURITY SYSTEM CONFLICTING WITH WIRELESS INTERNET RADIO WAVES. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE MECHANIC. SOON AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN:I READ ON A AUTOMOTIVE FORUM TO PUT KEY ON THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WAIT FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND THEN START THE CAR (SHOULD WORK IT STATED) IT WORKED HOWEVER IT IS NOW SOMETIMES A DAILY PROBLEM. I NOW ALLOW 10 MINUTES LEWAY IN DEPARTURE TO ALLOW FOR THIS AGGRAVATING PROBLEM TO ARISE. THIS PROBLEM IS A HIGH SECURITY ISSUE NOT SAFE TO BE STRANDED WITH SINGLE MOM WITH KIDS IN PARKING LOTS AND AS WELL AS BEING OUT TO TOWN. HAS CAUSED TO MISS WORK. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND NOT SURE HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM, THE HORN HAS BEEN SOUNDING OFF (AS IT IT STUCK POSITION) FOR THE LAST WEEK 11/12/2007WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER OCCURRENCE 11/16/07 PARK POSITION KEY NOT IN THE IGNITION AT 2:00AM IN A APARTMENT COMPLEX. TO QUICK RESOLVE ISSUE I TAPPED THE HORN ON STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN, THEN HAD ROOMMATE DISARM THE HORN WIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209586

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2007
Electrical System

BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL…

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BOUGHT THE 2003 ALERO OLDSMOBILE IN MARCH 2007, NOT REALIZING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE STALLING AND NOT STARTING ISSUES. MANY TIMES WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR HAVE BEEN STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. FIRST TIME, REPLACED BATTERY; SECOND TIME AND THIRD TIME TOOK TO MECHANIC SPENT $390.00 TO ATTEMPT TO FIX CAR HOWEVER STILL HAS ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SECURITY SYSTEM CONFLICTING WITH WIRELESS INTERNET RADIO WAVES. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INTO THE MECHANIC. SOON AFTER A WEEK THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN:I READ ON A AUTOMOTIVE FORUM TO PUT KEY ON THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WAIT FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND THEN START THE CAR (SHOULD WORK IT STATED) IT WORKED HOWEVER IT IS NOW SOMETIMES A DAILY PROBLEM. I NOW ALLOW 10 MINUTES LEWAY IN DEPARTURE TO ALLOW FOR THIS AGGRAVATING PROBLEM TO ARISE. THIS PROBLEM IS A HIGH SECURITY ISSUE NOT SAFE TO BE STRANDED WITH SINGLE MOM WITH KIDS IN PARKING LOTS AND AS WELL AS BEING OUT TO TOWN. HAS CAUSED TO MISS WORK. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND NOT SURE HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. TO ADD TO THE PROBLEM, THE HORN HAS BEEN SOUNDING OFF (AS IT IT STUCK POSITION) FOR THE LAST WEEK 11/12/2007WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER OCCURRENCE 11/16/07 PARK POSITION KEY NOT IN THE IGNITION AT 2:00AM IN A APARTMENT COMPLEX. TO QUICK RESOLVE ISSUE I TAPPED THE HORN ON STEERING COLUMN IT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN, THEN HAD ROOMMATE DISARM THE HORN WIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209198

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.