FaultScore

1999 Oldsmobile Alero steering problems

32 of the 702 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero are about the steering — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 58,000 miles.

B

32

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 9 28.1%
Pump 6 18.8%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 5 15.6%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 4 12.5%
Rack AND Pinion 3 9.4%
ARM 2 6.3%
Hose, Piping, AND Connections 1 3.1%
TIE ROD Assembly 1 3.1%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion) 1 3.1%

Steering across every Oldsmobile Alero year

1999 32 33.7%
2000 22 23.2%
2001 17 17.9%
2002 11 11.6%
2003 13 13.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 117,000 miles Dochester, MA

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.

NHTSA complaint #11055484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles East Stroudsburg, PA Crash 1 injured

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND A CONCUSSION, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10658797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, TN

STEERING

POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION MY PART-TIME SIGNAL LIGHTS THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAD TO REPLACE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSER I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR 5 YRS MYSELF AND ITS SO NOT WORTH THE MONEY I HAVE PUT INTO IT THE DATES VARY BUT THE FIRST WAS IN 2004 AND THE LAST WAS 2009.

NHTSA complaint #10355125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,375 miles Venice, CA

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR REGULATOR AND MOTOR. IN ADDITION, THE RUBBER CHANNEL THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE WINDOW WAS NOT TIGHT AND COULD CAUSE THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT AND SHATTER. THE WINDOW FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS FAILING. HE HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STEERING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE HIS COMPLAINT TO BE A PRIORITY BECAUSE HE IS A VIETNAM VETERAN WITH MULTIPLE PHYSICAL CHALLENGES AND A LIMITED INCOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,375 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA complaint #10267483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

STEERING

I HAVE HAD AN 99' OLDSMOBILE ALERO FOR 7 YEARS. IT HAS HAD ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. IT HAS HAD AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM EVERY YEAR SINCE I GOT IT AND I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, POOR INTERIOR MANUFACTURER, AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SETTINGS FAILURE, FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, POOR SPRINGS/STRUTS, GEAR SLIPPING, HARD STARTING, WATER LEAKING IN FROM RAIN UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, OFF ALIGNMENT (SET THREE TIMES IN YEAR), POOR GAS MILEAGE, OVERHEATING OR RUNNING ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND SUDDEN OVERHEATING WITHOUT NOTICE OF GAUGE LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. HAS HAD FRONT RIGHT CALIPER FAILURE LOCKING BRAKE PADS DOWN AGAINST ROTOR CAUSING BURNOUT OF PADS,ROTOR WARPING, CALIPER CYLINDER DAMAGE. HAS HAD POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKAGE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH SELLING UNSAFE, WORTHLESS VEHICLES. THE ONLY REASON I STILL HAVE MINE RUNNING IS BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF PERSONAL AS WELL AS PAID LABOR INTO ITS UPKEEP OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THAT I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10180772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

NOTICED PLAY AND LOOSENESS IN STEERING HAD IT CHECK OUT BY MECHANIC AND FOUND IT WAS MY RACK AND PINION I AM REPLACING IT WITH ANOTHER USED PART.

NHTSA complaint #10136662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kalamazoo, MI

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

REAR DEFROSTER, STEERING, BRAKES (3X'S), ENGINE, RADIATOR, BELT, SECURITY SYSTERM, TAPE DECK, POWER WINDOWS.

NHTSA complaint #10128844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Queensbury, NY

STEERING

PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY'03. BAD VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED 4+ TIMES, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB KITS REPLACED IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, STILL OCCURS AND HAVE JUST GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO THE SHAKING. ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS: REPLACED PUMP AND "O" RING. POWER STEERING PUMP AND RETURN HOSE REPLACED. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL BACK UP(BELIEVE DEALERSHIP REPLACED PRIO TO PURCHASE). DRIVER SIDE MIRROR MOTOR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, DEALER(IN ROCHESTER) PUT ON RECEIPT OF LAST REPAIR THAT THEY REPLACED MOTOR, BUT DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE PART, BUT WAS ON ORDER. NEVER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL BACK WHEN OR IF PART CAME IN(DEALERSHIP IS OVER 300 MILES FROM MY HOME, PURCHASED CAR ON THE INTERNET).

NHTSA complaint #10098708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Lansing, MI

STEERING

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?

NHTSA complaint #10068787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Britain, CT

STEERING

WITHIN MY 36,000 OF DRIVING FROM 50,222 TO 86,119 MY INTAKE GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. MY RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT THE RACK WAS REPLACED WHILE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR. RECENTLY I REALIZED WHY WATER WAS GETTING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW SEAL IS SHIFTED CAUSING THE WINDOW TO LEAK IF THE CAR IS PARKED AT CERTAIN INCLINES. THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY MY PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WARRANTY. ALL MAJOR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY WARRANTY AND ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS HAVE BEE QUOTE "EATEN" BY REPAIR FACILITIES.

NHTSA complaint #10069523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Warrenton, MO

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID, THAT STOPPED THE NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND WHEN RIGHT TURNS WERE MADE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10059867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,479 miles East Lansing, MI

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN LINE LEAKED AND LOST ALL FLUID, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CONNECTION FROM METAL HOSE TO REINFORCED RUBBER HOSE HAD FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10049542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles NEW Hampton, NY

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

BAD VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.HAD WHEELS ALIGNED,TIRES BALANCED, TIE RODS ,BOTH FRONT AXLES, BOTH FRONT BEARINGS, FRONT DISC BRAKES(ROTORS AND PADS), BOTH FRONT STRUTS REPLACED. VIBRATION AT TIMES GETS BAD ENOUGH TO LOSE CONTROL. NONE OF THE ABOVE SOLUTIONS FIXED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10036687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,151 miles Columbus, OH

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

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.

NHTSA complaint #10005544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hanford, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER DETERMINED POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 4 FEB 2002, AT FIRST START, CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER. POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8003597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saginaw, MI

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #785716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saginaw, MI

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACKN PINION FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #785716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harbor City, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #785483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Everett, WA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

ABS SENOR LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE WITHOUT BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRUNCHING NOISE FROM BRAKES BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RELACED, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT POWER STEERING WAS NOISEY.

NHTSA complaint #894652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PHX, AZ

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

I HVE HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND THEY HAVE DID OVER 7,000 DOLLARS REPAIRS ON IT SO FAR THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS ALERO. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #744966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PHX, AZ

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

I HVE HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND THEY HAVE DID OVER 7,000 DOLLARS REPAIRS ON IT SO FAR THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS ALERO. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #744966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Alamos, NM

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

CONSUMER HAS POOR STEERING CONTROL. INFORMED BY MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V320000 FOR STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #885063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Liberty, SC

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING FAILED ON VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 41,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #742124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

THE STEERING SHAFT WAS STRIPPED, REPLACED UNIT DUE TO NOISE, DURING REPAIR WE FOUND OUT THE CONDITION OF THE SHAFT, THE RECALL (98V-320) INDICATES THE SAME FAILURE. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #784049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE GRAUDAL STOP STEERING WHEEL SHAKED, CAUSING POOR VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER NOTED A NUT WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS COME APART, CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ALSO, RECALL NUMBER 98V320000 DEALT WITH SAME PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #873142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lincoln Park, NJ

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES;MECHANIC SAID, THE ROTOR IS WARPED AND THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES UNDER NORMAL WERE./POWERSTEERING MAKES NOISE WHEN CAR IS IDLING; MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE OIL IS LOW./I FIND WATER ON THE BACK SEAT FLOOR AFTER IT RAINS

NHTSA complaint #722913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING WENT OUT DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP BEING FAULTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER HAS REPLACED PUMP, AND NOW IS ALSO REPLACING TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #853481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flowermoun, TX

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

THE STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE SLICING THNE BRAKE LINE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AF VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING ABILITY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #548896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterford, NY

STEERING

UPON HEAVY ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT AND CONTROL IS LIMITED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALER, HOWEVER, THEY SAY THIS IS "NORMAL." THIS CONDITION IS SO SEVERE THAT I FEEL IT IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION ESPECIALLY IF THE DRIVER IS NOT PREPARED FOR IT.

NHTSA complaint #714180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pocono Lake, PA

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO A GRAVEL ROAD STEERING/ WHEELS LOCKED UP, AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE, FACING OUTWARD. DEALER SAID AXLE/ SPINDLE AND STRUT WERE BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #849186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Oldsmobile Alero problems

← Full 1999 Oldsmobile Alero report