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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
52,000 miles · Nov 5, 2007
Electrical System

SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES ON DASH BOARD. VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNTIL 10 MINUTES,AFTER THE LIGHT STOPS. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM A YEAR AGO IN HAD IT FIX AT A GM DEALER FOR ABOUT $360.00. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207985

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2007
Visibility

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC REAR WINDOW FALLS DOWN, AND WON'T ROLL UP EXCEPT BY HAND. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING, AND SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR, SO I'M STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. IF I GO ON LONG TRIPS, I H…

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DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC REAR WINDOW FALLS DOWN, AND WON'T ROLL UP EXCEPT BY HAND. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING, AND SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR, SO I'M STUCK WITH THE PROBLEM. IF I GO ON LONG TRIPS, I HAVE TO TAPE THE WINDOW UP AND THE WINDOW IS AN EYE-SORE BECAUSE OF IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10206841

51,848 miles · Oct 19, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE VEHICLE INSPECTION TWICE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS 50 DEGREES; HOWEVER, THE PEDAL WOULD STICK WHEN THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE VEHICLE INSPECTION TWICE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS 50 DEGREES; HOWEVER, THE PEDAL WOULD STICK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS MUCH WARMER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,848.

NHTSA ODI #10206296

37,800 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Electrical System

THE HORN HAD NEVER BEEN EASY TO USE, NOR DID IT ALWAYS FUNCTION, BUT SUDDENLY IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THEN IT COMPLETELY DIED. ON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED A SHORT-CIRCUIT AND PRONOUNCED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,390.00 + TAX TO REPAIR, AS THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG IN ADDITION TO THE 2 HORNS THAT …

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THE HORN HAD NEVER BEEN EASY TO USE, NOR DID IT ALWAYS FUNCTION, BUT SUDDENLY IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THEN IT COMPLETELY DIED. ON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED A SHORT-CIRCUIT AND PRONOUNCED THAT IT WOULD COST $1,390.00 + TAX TO REPAIR, AS THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG IN ADDITION TO THE 2 HORNS THAT THE CAR APPARENTLY HAS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199597

50 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ACTIVATED WITHOUT PROVOCATION AND HE HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO SHUT IT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HORN WIRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL PAD WAS S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ACTIVATED WITHOUT PROVOCATION AND HE HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO SHUT IT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HORN WIRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL PAD WAS STUCK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. THE CONSUMER STATED GM EXPLAINS THE HORN CONTACT IS INTEGRAL TO THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY WHICH MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE HORN AT THE SUM OF $800. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED INFORMATION FROM A WEBSITE PERTAINING TO THE SAME DEFECT AS THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION. UPDATED 08/20/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196725

85,000 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193740

75,000 miles · May 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

OUR 2003 OLDS ALERO GL 4-DR WITH 3.4L V-6 AND 75,000 MILES HAD A BLOWN INTAKE GASKET. WE WERE HAVING TO ADD COOLANT TO THE CAR ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AND FIGURED WE HAD SOME KIND OF A LEAK IN THE RESERVOIR. IT BEGAN TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE, WHICH WAS WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR CAR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT …

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OUR 2003 OLDS ALERO GL 4-DR WITH 3.4L V-6 AND 75,000 MILES HAD A BLOWN INTAKE GASKET. WE WERE HAVING TO ADD COOLANT TO THE CAR ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AND FIGURED WE HAD SOME KIND OF A LEAK IN THE RESERVOIR. IT BEGAN TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE, WHICH WAS WHEN WE TOOK IT TO OUR CAR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT COOLANT HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE ,AND WILL NOW HAVE TO SPEND $1300 TO REPLACE THE GASKET. THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190600

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2007
Electrical System

THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT BEING RESET. I HAVE TRIED UNLOCKING AND LOCKING THE CAR REPEATEDLY. I TRIED CLEANING THE IGINITION SWITCH, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, AIR FILTER, ETC. THE KEYS DO NOT HAVE THE MICRO CHIP IN THEM, SO I KNOW IT IS NOT THE KEY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187797

51,000 miles · Dec 26, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

2003 OLDS ALERO. AT 35K MILES, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WORK, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES ALSO NEEDED REPLACING. THE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE WERE BILLED $400+ FOR BRAKES AND ROTORS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND OLDS (AFTER MULTIPLE …

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2003 OLDS ALERO. AT 35K MILES, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WORK, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES ALSO NEEDED REPLACING. THE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE WERE BILLED $400+ FOR BRAKES AND ROTORS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND OLDS (AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS) REIMBURSED US FOR HALF OF THE BRAKE WORK. I WAS LATER TOLD BE A MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT WHEEL BEARING, ROTOR AND PAD FAILURES WERE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ALERO AND GRAND AM. APPARENTLY GM DID NOT FEEL IT WAS WORTH STANDING BEHIND. NOW WE HAVE ADDED 15K MILES SINCE THE REPAIR, AND THE NEW FACTORY REPLACEMENT ROTORS ARE ALREADY WARPED AND CAUSING UNEVEN BRAKING AND STEERING SHIMMY. STAY AWAY FROM THIS VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177016

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2006
Electrical System

CAR DASH LIGHTS, CD PLAYER, AND AC UNIT DO NOT TURN ON WHEN CAR STARTS. THIS USUALLY OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND IS WARM. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND THEN STARTING THE CAR AGAIN THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS. THE DELAY FOR THE STARTING OF THE DASH AND ACCESSORIES IS ANYWHERE FROM…

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CAR DASH LIGHTS, CD PLAYER, AND AC UNIT DO NOT TURN ON WHEN CAR STARTS. THIS USUALLY OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND IS WARM. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND THEN STARTING THE CAR AGAIN THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS. THE DELAY FOR THE STARTING OF THE DASH AND ACCESSORIES IS ANYWHERE FROM 5 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176234

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.