Model year record

1999 Oldsmobile Alero recalls & problems

The 1999 Oldsmobile Alero has 4 safety recalls and 462 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (126 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints462filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 11reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths14 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 3, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V4000005,877,718 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

StructureMay 18, 2000

Body

Recall 00V140000487,400 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

SteeringDec 15, 1998

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 98V320000217 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1999 Oldsmobile Alero 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Alero

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Alero

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	126	4	0	1	65,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; 12v/24v/48v battery	95	3	5	2	89,100 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	89	0	3	0	63,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	59	0	2	0	63,360 mi
Exterior lightingHazard flashing warning lights › Switch; Turn signal	55	0	0	0	59,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front › Wheel bearing	49	1	0	1	72,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	34	0	0	0	55,544 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist system	32	1	1	1	58,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	32	0	0	0	50,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system; Fuel injection system	27	0	0	0	52,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	14	2	0	3	58,588 mi
Air bagsFrontal	14	6	1	5	82,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Feb 24, 2017 · 117,000 miles
Air bagsCrashFire1 injury
WHEN I GOT ACCIDENT NOVEMBER 3 2004 AND AIRBAG NOT COME BLOW YET. I GOT INJURY HEAD AND BROKE LEG ON RIGHT.
Nov 3, 2004 · 45 miles
Suspension
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING! THIS HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH! *TR
Jan 19, 2017 · 85,000 miles
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
Oct 3, 2016
Electrical system
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN. HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD OFTEN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHAT WAS MORE DISTURBING, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY POSITION. NUMEROUS TIMES THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB
Jul 15, 2015
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Jul 6, 2015 · 170,000 miles
Electrical system
I WANT TO REPORT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1999 OLDS ALERO V6. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW SINCE AUG. 2013. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECASUE MY SECURITY LIGHT COME ON AND MY AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COME ON. SO I HAD IT TESTED AND ITS NOT GETTING ANY ELECTRICAL TO IT TO COME ON. AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENS EVERTIME. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WOULD THEY BE ONE IN NEAR FUTURE.... BECASUE I DONT 300-400 EVERYTIME IT GOES OUT.
Aug 19, 2014 · 280,000 miles
Electrical system
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY ISSUES. *SMD
Jun 1, 2015

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TURN SIGNAL FAILURESClosed
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS…
RQ04005 · opened Jun 18, 2004 · closed Nov 30, 2004