Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 OLDSMOBILE Alero

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 549 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 03V327000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
670,740
Reported to NHTSA
2003-08-28
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.

Safety risk

WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V250000

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

Component
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,707,825
Reported to NHTSA
2003-07-15
Owners notified
2003-08-20

Defect description

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V372000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
216
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-13
Owners notified
2000-12-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (RPO M86) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO REVERSE, A SHIFT INHIBITOR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE MECHANICALLY IN 4TH GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATES REVERSE GEAR.

Safety risk

IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system89102,329 mi
Exterior lighting20106,285 mi
Engine and engine cooling1785,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1761,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1645,000 mi
Engine15110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1534,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1456,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1384,632 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1251,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1259,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1172,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1065,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe945,167 mi
Air bags865,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump870,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system843,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic818,000 mi
Steering8125,000 mi
Unknown or other863,680 mi
Air bags: frontal738,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner77,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit646,642 mi
Power train: automatic transmission630,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Tires67,000 mi
Vehicle speed control640,003 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights557,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch569,000 mi
Structure: body532,000 mi
Suspension: front54 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing559,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system5117,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator443,000 mi
Electrical system: horn448,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition4—
Electrical system: wiring440,000 mi
Equipment442,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system453,401 mi
Power train4125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads411,234 mi
Structure473,000 mi
Suspension472,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub431,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal420,600 mi
Visibility: windshield4—
Electrical system: ignition: module345,000 mi
Seats324,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3—
Structure: body: door314,600 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control343,000 mi
Visibility346,642 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window3100,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear322,000 mi
Wheels360,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash224,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)25 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system264,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors232,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap261,133 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift217,000 mi
Seat belts224,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock240,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light273,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device274,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion2110,000 mi
Structure: frame and members250,300 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems246,642 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2134,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger117,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor132,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1135,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights140,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights189,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit148,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system114,600 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: evaporative emissions: hoses/valves/sensors1—
Fuel system, other162,000 mi
Interior lighting189,000 mi
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: manual transmission168,600 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other145,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes1178,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor147,200 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper142,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads142,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module166,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring172,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm141,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Visibility/wiper11,177,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1—
Wheels: hub122,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.