Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 OLDSMOBILE Alero

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 702 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-03
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V140000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
487,400
Reported to NHTSA
2000-05-18
Owners notified
2000-06-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V320000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
217
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-15
Owners notified
1998-12-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4519,000 mi
Electrical system38109,451 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3252,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2988,498 mi
Engine and engine cooling2462,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2421,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1655,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1456,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1450,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1348,536 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1362,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1363,360 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1378,903 mi
Suspension1275,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1149,000 mi
Structure: body: door1112,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1026,000 mi
Structure1050,000 mi
Unknown or other1051,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe973,500 mi
Steering951,000 mi
Exterior lighting870,000 mi
Seats842,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic875,000 mi
Air bags790,000 mi
Air bags: frontal753,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline715,772 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing765,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear747,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights647,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit658,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump639,151 mi
Vehicle speed control658,588 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module577,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system5—
Power train: axle assembly565,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system5—
Structure: body510 mi
Suspension: front: hub556,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5110,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4—
Electrical system: ignition: switch4122,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash425,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch452,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system449,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors4—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4119,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads419,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut463,580 mi
Suspension: rear461,561 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system441,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel349,000 mi
Electrical system: horn375,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring3129,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood360,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly374,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys378,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system349,000 mi
Equipment332,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch366,000 mi
Fuel system, other393,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3170,000 mi
Parking brake3—
Parking brake: conventional310 mi
Power train34,777 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)348,750 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Steering: rack and pinion3134,000 mi
Suspension: front3116,171 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control349,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Wheels351,000 mi
Wheels: hub332,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor260,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery249,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly268,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light279,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Structure: frame and members2—
Tires2—
Visibility299,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Wheels: rim2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings170,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer1161,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit139,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump156,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch184,990 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1—
Power train: axle hubs135,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1—
Seat belts: front160,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust16,118 mi
Service brakes1—
Service brakes, air1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections140,479 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly165,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs172,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1119,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor163,360 mi

The 1998 model has 351 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.