Oldsmobile ALERO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,926 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
69,833 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,055 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 406 of 1,926 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 372 | 19.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 202 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 155 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 125 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 73 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 51 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 406 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 119 |
| Exterior Lighting | 103 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 101 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 97 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 95 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 92 |
| Air Bags | 66 |
Electrical System: 406; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 119; Exterior Lighting: 103; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch: 101; Engine And Engine Cooling: 97; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 95; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 92; Air Bags: 66
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 101 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 199 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 276 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 187 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 192 |
| 150,000 and above | 100 |
Under 25,000: 101; 25,000 to 49,999: 199; 50,000 to 74,999: 276; 75,000 to 99,999: 187; 100,000 to 149,999: 192; 150,000 and above: 100
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (276). 871 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 100 |
| 2001 | 141 |
| 2002 | 172 |
| 2003 | 200 |
| 2004 | 267 |
| 2005 | 173 |
| 2006 | 103 |
| 2007 | 85 |
| 2008 | 83 |
| 2009 | 68 |
| 2010 | 56 |
| 2011 | 41 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 195 |
| 2015 | 80 |
| 2016 | 37 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2000: 100; 2001: 141; 2002: 172; 2003: 200; 2004: 267; 2005: 173; 2006: 103; 2007: 85; 2008: 83; 2009: 68; 2010: 56; 2011: 41; 2012: 36; 2013: 26; 2014: 195; 2015: 80; 2016: 37; 2017: 26; 2018: 10; 2019: 8; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 372 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 202 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 155 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003121 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
FEEL BRAKES ON VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE REQUIRING MULTIPLE REPAIRS AS A RESULT. DO NOT THINK THEY ARE SAFE EVEN AFTER REPAIRED GIVEN THE REPEAT FREQUENCY OF SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, GLASS PANES ON ALL FOUR SIDE WINDOWS HAVE LONG MECHANICAL SCRATCH MARKS, WHICH SOMETIMES CATCH GLARE OF SUN/HEADLIGHTS WHEN LOOKING OUT THOSE WINDOWS DURING LANE CHANGES. SCRATCHES APPEAR TO BE RESULT OF DEFECTIVE WINDOW HOUSING/MECHANICALS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008521 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
TOOK VEHICLE OFF OF LOT AND NEXT DAY HAD SEVERE BRAKE VIBRATION. REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS. SAME THING HAPPENED IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1999. PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068787 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT AT 52000 MILES. BATTERY TERMINAL POST BROKE OFF. BRAKE CALIPER MELTED AT 51000 MILES. TWO POWER STEERING LINES BURST AT 59000. THE COST OF THE REPAIR FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM IS AN ESTIMATE I GOT FROM A MECHANIC, BUT I HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED. I'M HOPING FOR A RECALL BEFORE I TAKE ANY ACTION. MY COMPLAINTS ARE BASED ON THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO GOOD REASON FOR ANY OF THOSE THINGS TO NEED REPAIR THAT SERIOUS. AREN'T WHEEL BEARINGS AND POWER STEERING LINES SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR A WHILE?
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069930 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
2 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, DASH PULLED TO CORRECT CORR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, NO DASH LIGHT, NO HIGH BEAM LIGHT, ALL WITHING FIRST 6 MONTHS, 1-03 WATER PUMP REPLACED, AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. ONLY 21000. MILES ON THE CAR..
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005544 · 2003-02-09 (February 9, 2003)
POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE FOR GRINDING NOISE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN FOR WHINING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SINCE OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP CLOSED THEIR DOORS AFTER 36 YEARS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED THROUGH THEM IS NOT VALID AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. BBB AND STATE ATTY GENERAL'S OFFICE WERE OF NO HELP WITH FINDING/HAVING DELAERSHIP HONOR THE WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,151 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049542 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN LINE LEAKED AND LOST ALL FLUID, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CONNECTION FROM METAL HOSE TO REINFORCED RUBBER HOSE HAD FAILED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 40,479 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103725 · 2004-12-14 (December 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS PERTAINED TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,457 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067625 · 2004-04-21 (April 21, 2004)
DUE TO GM DEFECT TO DATE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, SERPENTINE BELT AND AM NOW LOOKING AT REPLACING GAS TANK AND HEATER CORE. . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 119,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072611 · 2004-05-14 (May 14, 2004)
1. CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHT 2. #2 INJECTOR ELECTRICALLY FAILED 3. #2 INJECTOR REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010237 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, ANYMORE. ROARS LOUDLY RATHER THAN SHIFTS. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AT 30+ MPH CAR ACTS LIKE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON - DECELERATES EXTREMELY SLOW. RPMS STAY AT 2200+ AT 35 MPH. ALSO NOW A LITTLE HIGHER ON TEMPERATURE GAUGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 65,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039085 · 2003-09-17 (September 17, 2003)
CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. AT THE TIME I WAS ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED AND WAS CONSEQUENTLY REPLACED WITH USED TRANSMISSION SUPPLIED BY PURCHASED WARRANTY TO AUTO SHOP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,339 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039085 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1998: 0; 1999: 3; 2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1