2002 Oldsmobile Alero
Safety ratings
2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
2002 Oldsmobile Alero 4-DR
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (2)
- FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICESCampaign 07E021000 · 12/03/2007
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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONCampaign 14V400000 · 03/07/2014
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.
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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM133
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING78
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING30
- SERVICE BRAKES21
- VISIBILITY15
- HYDRAULIC14
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
- ENGINE13
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SINCE 2006, ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND TWO TO THREE DAYS LATER THE SYSTEM LOCKS DOWN AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. I AM STRANDED AND HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $600-$800. TOWING FEES, TAXIS TO AND FROM WORK, AND USE OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS' CARS ARE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. I ONLY TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME A DIFFERENT FEATURE ON THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER REPEATEDLY TO DISMANTLE THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT. WHO IS GOING TO STEAL A 2002 ALERO? I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN IN TWO DIFFERENT COLLEGES. THIS ALERO IS OUR ONLY CAR. TO DATE I HAVE SPENT $3000 ON THIS "SOPHISTICATED" ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. HELP ME PLEASE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. *TR
- 12/30/2003· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash
LTR FM JULIE ZAWADZKI (NY) REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN SECURING A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SHE RENTED FM BUDGET RENT-A-CAR, HER HUSBAND WAS INJURED IN A VEHICLE CRASH WHEN THE SEATBELT & AIRBAG FAILED. *MR THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW BANK, WENT UP AND THEN ROLLED 60 FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. *SCC *JB *CB
- 12/29/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL CUSTOMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION REPAIR. *MW THE IGNITION PASSLOCK CYLINDER AND MODULE WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. *JB
- 12/29/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY FIRST PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM .THE CAR WOULD NOT START. LEARNED THROUGH THE INTERNET HOW TO RESET SYSTEM, FOR MY USED CAR NOT HAVING AN OWNERS MANUAL. THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS MY BLINKERS NOT WORKING, BE IT INTERMITTENTLY. I'VE SEEN ALL THE POSTS ON THESE CONDITIONS AND I AM APPALLED THAT THESE CONCERNS HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED. SHAME ON THESE MONEY GRABBERS. WE PAY ENOUGH FOR VEHICLES ...THE MANUFACTURER'S MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. FIX OUR VEHICLES. *TR
- 12/29/2004· VISIBILITY
FOR THE FIFTH TIME THE WINDOW ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. USUALLY THE WINDOW REGULATOR GOES OUT AND THE BRACKETS BREAK ALONG WITH MY WINDOW. THIS TIME, ONLY THE BRACKETS BROKE AND NOT THE REGULATOR. PROBLEM IS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE MY CAR IS A 2002 MODEL AND THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE SITUATION. *NM
- 12/27/2017· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
MY TENSOR PULLEY IS GOING OUT AND MY SAFETY SENSORS LIKE ANTI LOCK, TRAC OFF AND NOW SERVICE ENGINE SOON KEEP COMING ON HAD IT IN SHOP AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW ITS MAKING LOUD NOISES.IT HAPPENS WHEN IM STOPPED AND MOVING
- 12/27/2006· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASH HAD BEGUN PULLING AWAY AND COMING UNGLUED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. BUT THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST WITH ME -MY END WOULD BE $650. I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO RUMPLE AND BUBBLE UP. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. IT IS A DEFECT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS. ESPECIALLY, SINCE MY WARRANTY WILL BE UP WITH IN A MONTH OR TWO. I JUST GOT TIRED OF FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER TO DO SOMETHING. I HAVE GIVEN UP AND WILL NOT BE PURCHASING A GM CAR AGAIN. THANKS FOR NOTHING -MY LOYALTY IS GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE. *JB
- 12/21/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING NOTHING ON DASH WORKS.
- 12/21/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
RECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LAMPS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR BECAME INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER SAW THIS RECALL ON NHTSA WEBSITE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
- 12/20/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINING SEPARATED FROM THE BONDING. *AK......THE INSIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD LININGS SEPARATED FROM BACKING PLATE, LEFT PAD WORE OUT MORE THAN RIGHT. DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING. THEY CLAIME DIT WAS A WORN OUT PART NOT A DEFECT. CALLED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CANTER. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME TO DEALER AND CLAIMED IF THIS WOULD HAV EHAPPENED AT 24,000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FACTORY DEFECT. AN INDEPENDENT PARTS DEALER SAID THAT THE BONDING SHOULD NEVER FAIL, NOMATTER OF MILEAGE. *AK
- 12/16/2003· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE BRAKING, THE FRONT END WOULD WOBBLE. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
- 12/15/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TURN LIGHTS,HIGH LIGHTS,HORN DOESN'T WORK. WORK SOMETIMES. I TOOK IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE MECHANIC AND HE DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. *TR
- 12/15/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKER BUT FAIL TO COME ON IN BACK OF VEHICLE, OR THEY JUST DON'T WORK AT ALL. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I MAY START OUT DRIVING AND THEY ARE FINE, THEN THEY COMPLETELY STOP WORKING, AND BY THE END OF THE TRIP THEY WORK AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WORK THE WHOLE TRIP, SOMETIMES NONE AT ALL. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. *NM
- 12/14/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SIGNAL LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME ON MY 2002 ALERO. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR REGULARLY AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE HER TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT. WE CANNOT SEEM TO GET ANYONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *TR
- 12/13/2003· STRUCTURECrash
I TOOK A LONG ROAD TRIP VACATION THIS PAST SUMMER. THE 2002 ALERO TURNED OVER 36,000 MILES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I DIDN' T DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS UPON MY RETURN. *AK WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR A FEW DAYS LATER, THE GLUE HAD COME UNGLUED FROM THE LEATHER ON THE DASH AND THREE OF THE DOOR PADS UNDER THE WINDOWS AND THE LEATHER WAS BUCKLED VERY BADLY. YOU CAN VIEW PICUTERS OF THE DASH AND DOOR PADS IF YOU WILL GO TO HTTP://WWW.DILLOWS.COM/ALERO.HTM ON THE INTERNET BECAUSE AS THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO FIX IT. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE WHO REFUSED TO FIX IT AFTER KEEPING ME WAITING THREE MONTHS TO HEAR THEIR REFUSAL. I CONTACTED GM VIA EMAIL WHO EMAILED BE BACK AND TOLD ME TO NEVER CONTACT THEM AGAIN CONCERNING MY CLAIM # 1-143309922 FOR THE DASH AND DOOR PADS COMING UNGLUED AND BUCKLED BECAUSE OF THEIR FACTORY DEFECTS IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IT IS NOT RIGHT AND SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW FOR GM TO BE ALLOWED TO HAVE SOLD US THE ALERO FULL OF FACTORY DEFECTS AND FOR THEM JUST TO SHUT DOWN THE OLDSMOBILE LINE AND BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE CUSTOMERS WHO PIRCHASED THE ALERO WHICH IS A SERIES OF FACTORY DEFECTS INSIDE AND OUT WITHOUT BEING HELT RESPONSIBLE.
- 12/07/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLINKERS FAIL ESPECIALLY DURING HUMID WEATHER. IT BEGAN DURING THE SUMMER. BLINKERS SOMETIMES WORK, BUT THEN WILL FAIL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THE 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, BUT NOT FOR THE 2002 EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
- 12/04/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I MADE A LONG VACATION TRIP IN OCT. OF 2002 AT WHICH TIME MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TURNED OVER 36,000 MILES. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME, IT HAD TURNED 37,000. I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS UPON MY RETURN. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO DRIVE IT NEXT, I SAW THAT THE DASH AND THREE OF THE DOOR PADS HAD COME UNGLUED AND BUCKLED REALLY BADLY. I TOOK IT BACK TO DAN CUMMINS IN PARIS, KY AS SOON AS I DISCOVERED THAT THE INTERIOR WAS FALLING APART. THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR SINCE IT HAD GONE OVER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY DURING MY VACATION BEFORE I RETURNED HOME. HE SUGGESTED I CALL GM AND COMPLAIN TO THEM ABOUT IT. I DID CALL THEM AND THEY TOOK MY COMPLAINT. THEY GAVE ME AN COMPLAINT NUMBER, BUT HAVE SINCE REFUSED TO ANSWER THEIR PHONE WHEN I CALL, OR TO CALL ME BACK AFTER I LEAVE THEM A VOICE MAIL ON THEIR MACHINE. I HAVE CREATED A WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.ALERO.INFO IN ORDER FOR INTERESTED PERSONS TO BE ABLE TO VIEW THE PICTURES OF THE POOR FACTORY WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS USED TO BUILD MY 2002 ALERO. THE PICTURES SAY IT ALL AS TO WHAT MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT WITH THE DASH AND DOOR PADS COMING UNGLUED AND BUCKLING. AT 37,500 MILES WHILE IT IS STILL ONLY TWO YEARS OLD, IT HAS DEVELOPED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AS SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE FUSE TO THE TAIL AND INTERIOR LIGHTS TO BLOW WHILE DRIVING IT AT NIGHT. *NLM
- 12/03/2006· VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2 DOOR 2002 OLDS. ALERO THAT HAS MANY PROBLEMS. MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS,MY WINDOWS FALL INTO THE DOOR AND HAVE NO WORKING CAPABILITY. I WENT TO AN OLDS. DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING I DID. IT COSTS A LITTLE OVER 1000.00 TO FIX BOTH WINDOWS ON EVERY OCCASION THAT THEY BREAK. I HAVE PAID THIS AMOUNT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND I FEEL THAT IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR ME TO BE PAYING ANYTHING AT ALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THEM FIXED AGAIN NOR DO I FEEL THAT I HAVE TO. I CONTINUALLY DRIVE AROUND IN THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER W/BROKEN WINDOWS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE SOMEONE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON JUST THIS PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION PLENTY OTHERS. *NM
- 12/03/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2002 OLDS ALERO V6 WITH 24,000 MILES BEGAN DEVELOPED PULSATION AND NOISE FROM FRONT BRAKES. DEALER FOUND WARPED FRONT ROTORS AND RESURFACED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER WARRANTY WORK, CREAKING NOISE DEVELOPED IN FRONT BRAKES. DEALER DIAGNOSED CLIPS ON BRAKE PADS AS CULPRIT AND REFUSED WARRANTY REPAIR. BRAKE PADS HAVE 5MM+ REMAINING AND SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACEMENT UNDER "WEAR PARTS" AT 24,000 MILES. EXCESSIVE CREAKING CONTINUES.*AK
- 12/03/2003· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
LEATHER ON FRONT DASHBOARD AND BACK PASSENGER DOOR IS DETACHING FROM SURFACE AND BUBBLING. IT IS RATHER SEVERE ON THE FRONT DASH. CIGARETTE LIGHTER (ONE NEAR FRONT PASSENGER FOOT) WAS POORLY INSTALLED. IT POPS OUT ALL OF THE TIME. FRONT END MAKES LOUD SCRATCHING NOISE WHEN MOVING SLOWLY OR BREAKING AND TURNING. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING TODAY. IT WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. TRUNK SMELLS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKS. I'VE FOUND INTERIOR TRUNK TO BE DAMP ON OCCASION. OCCASIONAL WATER LEAKS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (AT FEET). APPEARS TO BE CONDENSATION OF SOME SORT. BACK CUP HOLDER POPS OUT OF PLACE. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT, DRINK SPILLS RESULTED IN STAINED CARPETING.*AK
- 12/01/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE HEARD A NOISE AND THE SERVICE, LOW TRACTION AND ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ANTI LOCK SENSOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AGAIN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER ANTI LOCK SENSOR. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
- 12/01/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
LEAK OF COOLANT ON GROUND - INTAKE AND HEAD GASKETS LEAKING . *AK
- 11/29/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WEATHER: APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES AND RAINING. I HAVE THE HEAT AND DEFROST (INCLUDING REAR WINDOW) ON. I HEAR A POP FROM THE BACK AND I THINK SOMEONE HAS JUST LIGHTLY REAR-ENDED ME. I LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, AT APPROXIMATELY THE RIGHT-HAND SHOULDER IS ON FIRE. I PULLED-OVER, TURNED-OFF THE CAR, AND TRIED TO DOWSE THE FLAMES TO NO AVAIL. ALL I COULD DO WAS WATCH IT BURN UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED-UP ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. FIRE DEPARTMENT AGREED LIKELY CAUSE WAS REAR DEFROSTER SHORT-CIRCUIT. REAR SEAT AND REAR WINDOW DESTROYED. WATER AND SMOKE DAMAGE. CAR IS LIKELY TOTALED DUE TO AGE (11 YEARS) AND MILES (124K). *KB
- 11/28/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,EQUIPMENT
I PURCHASED A 2002 ALERO FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAD A CERTIFIED STICKER AND A WARRANTY ON THE WINDOW. AFTER SIGNING ALL PAPERS AND PUTTING $2,000 DOWN ON IT, THE SALES MAN INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEH. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. 9-5-07 THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKING AND MAKING LOUD NOISES. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON 9-10-07, THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SHAKE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF. THIS HAPPENED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS I WAS GOING TO WORK. I DROPPED IT OFF AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THEY SAID IT WAS THEIR FAULT DUE TO A FEW NUTS OR BOLTS FELL OFF. 5-6-08 IS WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LEFT ME STRANDED. TURN THE KEY, ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND SEAT BELT ALERT CAME ON. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO START BUT IT WOULDN'T. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT COST ME $588.00 TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASS LOCK SENSOR. 9-3-08 MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN. IT HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE FIRST TIME. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WANTED TO START BUT IT WOULDN'T. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY QUOTED ME $350 FOR REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE MANAGER, I PAID A $50 DEDUCTIBLE AND THE VEH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED. ON ABOUT 5-9-09 THE VEH LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN. IT DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE PRIOR 2 INCIDENCES. I HAD THE VEH TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME THEY SAID AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC, IT WAS THE BCM AND WOULD BE APPROX $480 TO REPAIR IT. A FEW DAYS LATER, I HAD A FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW IT TO MY HOME. I TURNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED UP FINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD IT IS THE BCM AND IF THE VEH SITS LONG ENOUGH, IT MAY RESET AND START UP. HE ALSO SAID IT MAY LEAVE ME STRANDED AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEH LOCALLY AND ON 11-27-09, THE VEH WILL NOT START. *TR
- 11/27/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 02 ALERO DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. THEY WILL COME ON AND OFF ON RANDOM OCCASIONS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO FIX IT. ALSO THE CAR SECURITY SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS ALLOW THE CAR TO START. WHEN THE ENGINE DOESN'T START I HAVE TO STICK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING THEN IT WILL START. I HAD THE TRY TO FIX IT AND THE ONLY SOLUTION THEY THINK MIGHT WORK (BUT NOT SURE) IS TO TURN OFF THE SECURITY SYSTEM COMPLETELY. *TR
- 11/27/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS & LAMPS FAIL ERRATICALLY......THEN OPERATE REGULARLY BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. *TR
- 11/27/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNALS DASH AND TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN AUTO LIGHTS TRY TO TURN ON. *JB
- 11/26/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WATER LEAK FROM INTAKE GASKET. *LA
- 11/22/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
THERE ARE SEVERAL DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST STARTED IN 2004. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK, WILL NOT SHUT OFF, OR START AGAIN WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION AND STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CREATES A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY - STARTLES YOU, THEN BLOCKS VISION. NEXT, THE SECURITY FEATURE IS MALFUNCTIONING. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND PROBLEM IS FIXED WITH LEAVING THE CAR IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 TO 20 MINUTES (RESETS THE SECURITY). THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY AND IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE NOW BEGUN TO WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS OBVIOUSLY. THE WINDOW CONTROLS SOMETIMES DON'T WORK, THE SIDE-MIRROR CONTROLS ALSO DO NOT WORK SOMETIMES. THE HEAT/AC CONTROLS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - MOST OF THE POSITIONS DO NOT BLOW. YOU CAN HEAR THE MUFFLED SOUND OF THE AIR WHEN ON HIGH, BUT AIR DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE VENTS. THESE ARE THE COMBINATION SETTINGS, THE INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS WORK, SO IT CANNOT BE CLOGGED VENTS. LASTLY, THE REAR DEFROST RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING AND, WHEN TURNED ON, EMITS A BURNING SMELL. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND DRIVEN DAILY OUT OF NECESSITY. *NM
- 11/22/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IF I PUSH THE EMERGENCY FLASHER IN AND OUT, THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WORK NORMALLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE ABOUT JUNE 04. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER 29 DECEMBER 2004. IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT (2) TIMES PREVIOUSLY. *JB
- 11/21/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS DON'T WORK AT TIMES. THEY GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE I'M DRIVING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I TRIED TO TURN THE HAZARDS ON TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT THE HAZARDS OUT MOST OF THE TIME ALSO. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND MAKES ME NERVOUS TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT OR TICKET. I HAVE CONTACTED GM DEALERS AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL BUT I HAVE READ THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 MODELS. I HAVE HEARD OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2002 MODELS AND WOULD HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
- 11/20/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD INDEPENDENTLY COME OUT OF THE SWITCH WHILE IN THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- 11/19/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. VEHICLE BURNED IN THE YARD, NOTICED SMOKE STARTING TO COME THROUGH THE FUSE PANEL.*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING, OF ANY TYPE OF PROBLEM. THE MOMENT SHE TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF, THE PROBLEM STARTED. *JB
- 11/19/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL LETTER *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
- 11/19/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MULTIPLE INTERMITTENT TURN-SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS IN 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SINCE PURCHASE IN 2003. MALFUNCTION CAN SOMETIMES BE CONTROLLED BY LIGHTLY PUSHING IN ON HAZARD WARNING SWITCH LOCATED ON DASH. *NM
- 11/17/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO YEARS AGO, MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE ON MY SECURITY SYSTEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST MORE THAN $700. LAST FRIDAY, 11/14/2008, MY CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME GM DEALER AGAIN AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? AND NOW, AGAIN, THIS WILL COST ANOTHER $700 TO FIX, IF THAT IS ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED BEFORE WHEN THE COMPUTER MODULE WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME SINCE I HAD MY CAR AT HOME WHEN THIS BCM WENT OUT. THE BCM ONLY HAS A YEAR WARRANTY. *TR
- 11/16/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO PURCHASED IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE ADHERED TO THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE PROCESS WAS TOO LENGTHY TO ATTEMPT EACH TIME SHE HAS TO START THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER NOT TO INVEST IN CORRECTING THE FAILURE SINCE IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 118,000.
- 11/14/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FROM GM FOR "UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION". I HAD PREVIOUSLY CONTACTED GM INDICATING ISSUES WITH IGNITION SWITCH; GM THEN ISSUED "UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION" LETTER. I HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, YET ISSUE CONTINUED. I CONTACTED GM; I WAS INFORMED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AS VEHICLE WAS "OUTSIDE OF PARAMETERS OF 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES", "WHICHEVER COMES FIRST". MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 WITH APPROX. 95,675 MILES. I WAS INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP "SUSPECTED" ISSUE WAS "WORN OUT IGNITION SWITCH". DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM MECHANICAL DIAGNOSTICS, ONLY VOICED "SUSPECTED". NHTSA INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE TO DETERMINE IF THESE 2002 VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME GM IGNITION PART NUMBERS,IF SO, OUR VEHICLES MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. GM DESCRIBED IN THEIR RECALL WHAT THE MECHANICAL ISSUES ARE IN THIS IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, MY CAR HAS THOSE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS; YET GM REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL LETTER FOR "IGNITION SWITCH" CITING THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED BECAUSE NHTSA SET PARAMETERS OF "10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST." TO MEET THE CRITERIA THAT GM MUST ISSUE RECALL LETTERS FOR IGNITION SWITCH. IF THE DEFECTIVE PART IS THE SAME ON THESE MAKE MODELS AND CUSTOMERS ARE DOCUMENTING THEY HAVE THIS MECHANICAL ISSUE, THEY MUST BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND WE MUST NOT BE HELD AT A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND BE LEFT WITH DRIVING KNOWN UNSAFE VEHICLES. TO THOSE OLDS OWNERS THAT READ MY COMPLAINT, IF YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR A ISSUE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU AS WELL FILE A COMPLAINT SO THAT THE DATABASE WILL INCLUDE OUR MAKE/MODEL YEARS AND GM AND NHTSA WILL BE REQUIRED TO EXPAND THEIR PARAMETERS TO INCLUDE OUR MADE/MODEL VEHICLES IN THIS IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. UPDATED 12/10/14.*JB
- 11/14/2002· AIR BAGSCrash
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING A DEER WAS LAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD. TO AVOID THE DEER SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A MOUNTAIN. AND THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR
- 11/12/2014· STEERING,ENGINEFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147.
- 11/11/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
- 11/10/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION KEY RECALL NOTICE AND CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER WERE REPLACED ON APRIL 3, 2010. *JB
- 11/10/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SECURITY LIGHT STARTED COMING ON IN MY CAR IN 2004. MY CAR IS A 2002. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, SO I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE LIGHT UNTIL ONE DAY MY CAR REFUSED TO START. AS I HAD JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE LIGHTS/RADIO WORKED, MY HUSBAND ASKED AROUND AND A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED OLDSMOBILE VEHICLES STATED THAT IF YOU LEAVE THE CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10-12 MINUTES THAT IT WILL RESET THE SECURITY LIGHT AND THE CAR WILL START. IT WORKED AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A SECOND GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED A DIAGNOSTIC RUN TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START, BUT THEY TOO DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS IN OCTOBER 2006, BUT INSTEAD OF RESETTING FOR A FEW MONTHS, LIKE BEFORE, THE CAR REFUSED TO START THE VERY NEXT TIME I TRIED TO START IT. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS (1999-2002, AT LEAST) THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM TO NOTIFY THEM OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT ONLY OCCURRING TO MY CAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK... YET? I NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT MY CAR IS RELIABLE. FOR THE TIME BEING, I USE THE METHOD, BUT NOW THAT I AM PREGNANT AND WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING (I LIVE IN MINNESOTA), I NO LONGER FIND THIS SOLUTION ACCEPTABLE. I DO NOT WANT TO JEOPARDIZE MY CHILD'S LIFE BY HAVING TO REMAIN IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER FOR TEN MINUTES IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO "RESET ITSELF," SO I AM CURRENTLY RESEARCHING ALTERNATIVE CARS TO PURCHASE. *JB
- 11/10/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE TURN SIGNAL IS FLASHING IN AND OUT OF USE. SOMETIMES IT WORKS WHEN YOU TURN THE SIGNAL ON, AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING AFTER IT HAS STARTED WORKING, AND IT GOES OUT BEFORE THE TURN IS COMPLETED. THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH YET, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE SIGNAL STOPS WORKING. I HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE I THOUGHT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AND I WAS WAITING ON THE LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
- 11/09/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ON MY 2002 ALERO HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE THE FIRST YEAR I HAD IT. I HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINUTES WITH KEY IN ON POSITION BEFORE IT WILL START. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN FOR ME, AND AS I OBSERVED ONLINE, FOR MANY OTHERS. I HAD IT TOWED AND LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS AND UNTIL I GET A 100% ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS ON SOMETHING, I DON'T PAY OUT MONEY FOR ASSUMPTIONS. I FOUND OUT ON MY OWN AND BY READING THE OWNERS MANUAL, WHAT THE EXACT PROBLEM WAS. I REALIZE I MUST DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED FOR ANY THING TO BE DONE. SAD TO SAY THAT IS HOW THINGS WORK IN THIS DWINDLING ECONOMY. I HAVE THE FEAR THAT STALKERS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST MAY CATCH UP WITH ME AT A TIME WHEN MY CAR WON'T START. SHOULD I TELL THEM "HEY WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE YOU CAN ATTACK ME THEN I CAN GET AWAY." PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOU CAN GOOGLE TO SEE THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR
- 11/05/2014· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
- 11/01/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING, BUT HAZARDS WORK FINE. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY (EITHER WAY) THE ABS LIGHT AND LOW TRACTION OFF LIGHT COME ON WHICH CLEAR AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTING, BUT DOES IT AGAIN OR MAYBE NOT FOR A WHILE. *NM
- 10/31/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH HER VEHICLE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS LOCKED TWICE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE AND RECENTLY FAILED AGAIN. SHE IS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION BECAUSE IT LOCKED IN PLACE. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,273.
- 10/30/2014· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY IGNITION KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE MY CAR IS RUNNING. CALLED ON 10/30/14 @ 2:51 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT I SPOKE TO [XXX] & WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T GET ME IN UNTIL 12/1/14 AND HE ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAVE SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS BUT THEY ONLY ACCEPT 35 CARS AND IF I WAS NUMBER 36 I WOULD BE TURNED AWAY. THIS IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE & I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE EXACT THING YOUR COMPANY HAS RECALLED MY VEHICLE FOR AND THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- 10/30/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000 AND 2001 MODELS, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2002. *NM