2002 Oldsmobile Alero problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (56) · Exterior Lighting (26) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal (21)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Oldsmobile Alero model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
183 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-07-03 · campaign 14V400000 · 5,877,718 vehicles
Defect: 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, 1998-200
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.
Service bulletins (446)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Electrical System 2024-08-26 · General Communication · Service Campaign
vehicle wide programming (vwp) is a new process to update software on gm vehicles. it provides the ability via a single selection within techline connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). the updating of modules is com
Showing the 6 most recent of 446 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-17 · Engine“2002 oldsmobile alero was driving on interstate and very low on fuel when i exited the interstate at the street light it turned green and as i was accelerating my car stalled out and since then ive pur 2 gallons of fuel in it and now it cranks but wont start up and now it back fires when trying to start it and my security light is off and i'm getti…”
2022-02-02 · Steering“1. security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from being able to move to c…”
2022-01-02 · Suspension“kept cutting off won't stay crunk long ignition is jammed loud screeching noises from the springs alternator might be the reason electrical issues fuel pump i had to leave my car at a friend's place i'm not working due to the covid pandemic not able to afford repairs i really need my transportation someone referred me to this site…”
2020-05-18 · Unknown Or Other · 187,037 mi“2002 olds alero,present mileage@5/17/20-187,037. where do i start? okay,the trunk has started to arbitrarily decide to pop open...apparently during rain/thunderstorms...i wonder if this has anything to do with the door locks recently deciding to not lock the passenger side when using switch on dr,side door...and now since the trunk's been popping o…”
2019-09-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System“"takata recall" i own a 2002 oldsmobile alero and my blinkers only work maybe 2 time a month when i use my turning signals in either direction i just hear a buzzing sound sometimes it is only in one direction and sometimes there is no sound and no blinker at all. now my gas gauge says empty and i just put $30 of gas in it and once i ran out of gas…”
2019-08-20 · Suspension · 230,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. the contact stated that the vehicle had aftermarket struts installed by an independent mechanic. the struts caused premature wear and pulled apart the control arms at the center bushings, which caused the geometry of the suspension to change. as a result, it was dangerous when making turns. the part man…”
2019-06-20 · Engine · 203,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. while exiting a parking lot, the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact was able to restart the vehicle and it was able to drive normally; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. t…”
2018-07-19 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 97,000 mi“car often stalls starting. easily cuts off when portable phone charger is in place or if radio is on after 5 minutes with discontinuing engine. cut off at a stop sign recently without warning and would not restart until some time later. has new battery less than 8 months old. did the same things with old battery and was thought that it was the prob…”
2018-05-06 · Electrical System · 167,000 mi“takata recall- i bought this car last year and have had trouble with the ignition. when i try to turn the key i feel the ignition move. i also have a hard the keeping it started. when i'm driving with my seat belt on my no seat belt light flashes on and off as if it wasn't on.…”
2018-03-22 · Steering · 141,111 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. the contact heard a whining noise when turning the steering wheel from right to left. the "service vehicle soon" indicator illuminated. the contact called a local dealer (jerry seiner chevrolet, 1530 s 500 w, salt lake city, ut 84115) and was informed that the original key was needed. the vehicle was no…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.