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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
125,000 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.…

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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

18,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Electrical SystemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638846

30,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER TEN MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT TURNED OFF. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER TEN MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT TURNED OFF. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638201

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10638019

139,000 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637481

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

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…

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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

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T START.....UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF IT WAS DETERMINED, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/11/14

NHTSA ODI #10621751

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2014
Electrical System

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, FOR THE PAST YEAR I'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE IT'S BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALSO MY BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON, AND ASSUMING THAT MY BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I REPLACED THE PARTS WITH NEW ONES AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING, THE BATTE…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, FOR THE PAST YEAR I'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE IT'S BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ALSO MY BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON, AND ASSUMING THAT MY BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I REPLACED THE PARTS WITH NEW ONES AND STILL DOING THE SAME THING, THE BATTERY LIGHT IS STILL ON. NOW MY CAR DOES NOT TURN ON AT ALL IT'S DEAD!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620945

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.