135 of the 549 complaints about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero are about the electrical system — 25% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,500 miles.
135
Complaints
5
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car will shut off while driving/idling. There are no check engine lights. Took it to get the latest recall fixed that had to do with this and they just gave us new keys. It did not remedy the situation! Now we are paying to fix it because it is still shutting off while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11517655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The consumer stated the vehicle was junked 3 or 4 yrs ago because of the computer going out on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11475958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving the vehicle the car shut off while ignition was on. No warning whatsoever
NHTSA complaint #11424287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical ground wire to Alternator burnt out; caused battery to lose charged replaced twice within 2 years.
NHTSA complaint #11421472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR SOME TIME THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD MORE TROUBLE WITH THEM IF IT WAS VERY HOT AND HUMID OUTSIDE. THEN, THE TURN SIGNALS TRIGGERED THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO COME ON. THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOW INOPERABLE. SOMETIMES THE HAZARD LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND I AM UNABLE TO TURN THEM OFF.THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE TURN SIGNALS ARE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11342676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR COMING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DO A TURNAROUND OR BACK AROUND IN A SLOW POSITION FROM A START POSISTION. SO IM NOT GETTING MY GAS MILEAGES WORTH NOR CAN I DO A UTURN IN A FAST ACCELERATION. IT WILL GET SLOWER THATS DANGEROUS IF UPCOMING TRAFFIC STARTS TO PROCEED MAKING IT LIABLE FOR AN ACCIDENT. IM SCARED FOR MY LIFE. IM IN CALIFORNIA IN LOS ANGELES.
NHTSA complaint #11180134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COIL RECALL NOTICE STATES SAME PROBLEM AS CONSUMER BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPY PATCH IN THE ROAD THE IGNITION WAS INADVERTENTLY SWITCHED OUT OF THE "RUN" POSITION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11021949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
JUST GOT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER AND THERE IS A GAS LEAK ALSO THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR ON ACCELERATION I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN AND WIGGLE IT TO GET IT OFF AND THERE'S A O-RING SENSOR LEAK CAN'T PASS THE ECHECK. I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE AUGUST AND THE ESTIMATE TO GET THE CAR FIXED TO PASS THE CHECK IS OVER THE AMOUNT FOR THE CAR AND I AM STILL PAYING A NOTE WHEN THE CAR IS STATION IS LEAKING GAS WHEN IT IS MOTION IT BARELY LEAKS WHEN I PARK IT, IT POURS OUT
NHTSA complaint #11048846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS AT THE GRO. STORE CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START 1/2 TANK OF GAS HAD SOME ONE TO TRY A JUMP START TO NO AVAIL. THE NEXT DAY IT STARTED WENT TO WORK SAME THING IT TRIES TO START BUT WILL NOT AND THAT IS WHERE I AM NOW. WENT ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. I'M JUST LOOKING FOR HELP. AS MANY OTHER AMERICANS I DON'T HAVE MUCH MONEY AS A SINGLE MOM. I JUST NEED A ANSWER THANKS
NHTSA complaint #11011534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, WHEN FLASHING CAR WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #11011462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I RECENTLY HAD MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO KEY IGNITION FAIL ME. I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THE KEYS. ALL THEY DID WAS PUT A PLASTIC KEY COVER ON MY KEYS. I GOT STRANDED DUE TO MY "NEW" KEYS NOT ALLOWING MY KEY IGNITION TO TURN OVER AT ALL. I STARTED TO DO RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS THAT GM WON'T FIX THE IGNITION PROBLEM JUST DRILLS A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE KEY TO MAKE IT SEEM LIGHTER IN WEIGHT AND THEN JUST COVERS THE ORIGINAL KEY WITH PLASTIC. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENING. I WAS STRANDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS DUE TO THIS. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE WITH CHILDREN?
NHTSA complaint #10971545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10935091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE TURN SIGNALS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I SEE THAT THERE HAS SINCE BEEN A RECALL. HOWEVER, MY VIN DOESN'T FALL INTO THEIR CRITERIA, BUT THE EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND I HAVE A YOUNG TEENAGER DRIVING THAT CANNOT BE WITHOUT THE USE OF TURN SIGNALS. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 03V327000. I INDICATED THE DATE THIS OCCURRED AS THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN TO MY DAUGHTER. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10924505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TURN SIGNALS WORK SOMETIMES BUT IF IT RAINS THEY DON'T WANT TO.
NHTSA complaint #10876040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TURNING SIGNAL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE TRAC OFF AND ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE OPENED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10820205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK AND THEN NOT WORK AT RANDOM AND THIS CONCERNS ME, IT CAN CREATE A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION
NHTSA complaint #10808294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS NEEDED WERE NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,991.
NHTSA complaint #10794880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PLUGGED IN THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS AFTER I LIT MY CIGARETTE THE WIRES BEHIND THE DASH(INSTRUMENT PANEL) BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE WIRE COVERINGS WAS BURNT OFF TO SHOW BARE WIRES SHORTING MY ENTIRE CAR. THE FUSE LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD IN THE FUSE RELAY CENTER THAT WENT TO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS MELTED AND BURNT INTO THE RELAY BOX. NO ELECTRICAL IN MY ENTIRE CAR WORKS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10788464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH AND THEN SLOWED BACK DOWN. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED TO GET FUEL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH, CASING, AND RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURES CEASED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017
NHTSA complaint #10723178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10721969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #10722056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE KEY REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION AND FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 6/30/15*CN THE ENGINE AND FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/02/15
NHTSA complaint #10715142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY KEY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED AND A NEW FACTORY KEY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10713408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO KEY AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY NEEDED THE TWO ORIGINAL KEYS. THE CONSUMER STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL KEYS; DUPLICATES WERE MADE BY THE DEALER AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA complaint #10694547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SIGNAL TURN DON'T WORK, WORK ON AND OFF CAUSING HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10691955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I NOTICED DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 2014 THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO . I WAS TURNING RIGHT AND MY MOM WAS RIDING WITH ME WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WAS NOT WORKING LEFT OR RIGHT. SO WE MADE IT TO OUR DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN WE WERE LEAVING THEY WORKING . IT'S WEIRD BECAUSE BY CHANGING THE BULBS THE TURN SIGNALS ARE STILL GOING IN AND OUT WHEN THEY WANT TOO. AND WE NOTICED LIGHT FLUID LEAKAGE BUT IT WAS NOT LEAKING IN NOVEMBER WHEN I BROUGHT MY VERY OWN FIRST CAR FOR CASH AND I HAD THE OIL CHANGED SO I TOOK IT BACK TO JIFFY LUBES AND THE TECH COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, THIS WEEK JANUARY 21, 2014 MY STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING THIS STRANGE WHISTLING NOISE WHEN I MAKE A TURN, AND MY SECURITY LIGHT HAS CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK THE SAFETY GM RECALL LISTING FOR HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10678734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER HAVING RECALL OF IGN. KEY PERFORMED, THE KEY BECAME HARD TO TURN ON, CATCHING AND HAVING TO WIGGLE TO START THE ENGINE. VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING 3 TIMES, LOOSING POWER BREAKS AND STEERING, COAST TO STOP, AND VEHICLE STARTS AGAIN. FEEL THIS IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED AND CAUSED BY THE FAULTY KEY AND IGNITION SYSTEM, APPEARS THE FAULTY KEY HAS CAUSED THE TUMBLER TO WEAR-OUT, AND ANY JARRING OF THE KEY AND OR DASH RESULTS IN IGNITION TO SHUT OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, SAYING THIS RECALL WOULD NOT CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO FAIL.. SAYING BECAUSE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, IT IS NOT THERE FAULT. AND I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR.. BUT I PRAY TO DIFFER, IF THE DEFECTIVE KEY AND IGN. UNIT WERE NOT AT FAULT, THEN THE KEY/TUMBLER WOULD NOT HAVE WORN-OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10670972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,961.
NHTSA complaint #10667612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO IGNITION SWITCH. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2010, DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. ALSO, NONE OF THE GAUGES AND DASH LIGHTS WORKED, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND HEAD GASKET WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10658463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON ONLY THE MAIN KEY AND NOT ON THE REMAINING TWO KEYS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM ON THE RECALL REMEDY ON THE REMAINING TWO KEYS DUE TO THEM BEING AFTERMARKET KEYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10662356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.