Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 OLDSMOBILE Alero

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 294 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 04V528000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
92,863
Reported to NHTSA
2004-11-01
Owners notified
2004-12-20

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Safety risk

FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system7997,000 mi
Air bags2285,000 mi
Engine1791,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1175,000 mi
Unknown or other1180,000 mi
Steering1095,740 mi
Vehicle speed control10120,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition945,000 mi
Exterior lighting980,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls935,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline784,527 mi
Service brakes793,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module560,790 mi
Engine and engine cooling580,000 mi
Power train4113,000 mi
Suspension: front434,500 mi
Tires440,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal431,700 mi
Equipment382,000 mi
Structure342,925 mi
Suspension378,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing343,500 mi
Air bags: frontal2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch227,865 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2750 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine242,925 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system258,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal285,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch215,000 mi
Fuel system, other225 mi
Fuel/propulsion system298,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads234,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor251,000 mi
Visibility280,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module119,200 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator120,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly155,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe195,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1237,907 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit195,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump169,833 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: manual transmission169,298 mi
Seat belts1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint134,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1105,897 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic120,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar115,021 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system120,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly143,000 mi
Structure: body180,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Tires: sidewall170,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer134,500 mi
Wheels197,700 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 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.