RoadVitals

1999 Oldsmobile Alero Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
86
Latest Oct 25, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 462 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 86 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 86, in the owner's own words

AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED

NHTSA ID
10918720
Incident
Oct 3, 2016
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2016

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN. HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD OFTEN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHAT WAS MORE DISTURBING, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY POSITION. NUMEROUS TIMES THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10913533
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10733043
Incident
Jul 6, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2015

I WANT TO REPORT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1999 OLDS ALERO V6. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW SINCE AUG. 2013. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECASUE MY SECURITY LIGHT COME ON AND MY AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COME ON. SO I HAD IT TESTED AND ITS NOT GETTING ANY ELECTRICAL TO IT TO COME ON. AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENS EVERTIME. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WOULD THEY BE ONE IN NEAR FUTURE.... BECASUE I DONT 300-400 EVERYTIME IT GOES OUT.

NHTSA ID
10732502
Incident
Aug 19, 2014
Mileage
280,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 15, 2015

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY ISSUES. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10694536
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2015

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10715865
Incident
Feb 7, 2013
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2015

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY GAVE HER A NEW KEY ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION, WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED FOR FREE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10692449
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2015

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER RECEIVED REPAIR FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT WAS DONE IN AUGUST 2013. *TA

NHTSA ID
10667981
Incident
Aug 22, 2013
Electrical
Filed Feb 23, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10689996
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2015

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE FIXED DUE TO A RECALL AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. *TA

NHTSA ID
10667973
Incident
Feb 2, 2015
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2015

I HAD THE RECALL DONE BUT MY CAR KEEPS DYING AND WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING I CAN NOW REMOVE MY KEY AND ENGINE STAYS RUNNING. THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT AT LEAST 10 MIN FOR CAR TO START. I HAVE A BABY AND WITH THIS COLD WEATHER PLUS BEING STRANDED IS NOT SAFE. I WAS TOLD ALL THE DEALER DID WAS A NEW KEY/INSERT. THE WHOLE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A NEW RECALL. THE DEALER TOLD ME FOR $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE THAT COULD LOOK AT THE CAR. NEVER DID THIS UNTIL THE DEALER DID THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671135
Incident
Dec 3, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID
10664249
Incident
Dec 14, 2014
Mileage
122,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2014

WHEN TRYING TO START THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND BLINKS YOU MUST WAIT 10 MINS TO RESTART AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL START OR YOU HAVE TO WAIT THE RECYCLE TILL AGAIN. GM DID A RECALL ON THE KEY ITSELF TO ADD A HOLE IN THE KEY FOR THE WEIGHT SITUATION, BUT DID NOT HELP THE IGNITION PROBLEM OF STARTING THIS VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESS YET? I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664060
Incident
Dec 13, 2014
Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. HOWEVER, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE THE ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WENT OUT. *MW THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10654422
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Nov 4, 2014

I HAVE A 1999 OLDS ALERO AND AM JUST NOW GETTING A RECALL FOR THE KEY SWITCH. AS SOON AS I GOT IT I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE OUT OF PARTS AND MY NAME WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST. I WAS ALSO ADIVED IT MAY TAKE THREE TO FOUR WEEKS. I ALSO ASKED IF THE CAR WAS SAFE TOLD RIVE AND WAS TOLD YES. IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE WHY THE RECALL. IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE KEY SWITCH HOW CAN IT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. WHY DOESN'T THE DEALER HAVE THE PARTS AND WHY SHOULD IT TAKE THREE TO FOUR WEEKS. WHAT HAPPEN DURING THE WAIT TIME IF THERE IS AND ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. WHY DOES THE AUTO DEALERS PLAY GAMES WITH OUR LIFES. PLEASE LOOK INOT THIS OR AT LEAST FILE THIS COMPLAINT, THEN IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY FIX IT I'LL HAVE PROVE I FILED A COMPLAINT. ALSO I HAD TO PUT BRAKES FOR THE CAR PART IT WOULD NOT TAKE KEY SWITCH, WHICH IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. SO DISREGARD BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652566
Incident
Nov 27, 2013
Mileage
109,451 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 4, 2014

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10651199
Incident
Jun 22, 2014
Electrical
Filed Oct 23, 2014

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL #14350. * LD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND LOCK CYLINDER SHE HAD REPLACED ON JUNE 5, 2013. *JB

NHTSA ID
10648112
Incident
Jun 5, 2013
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD INADVERTENTLY FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10644636
Incident
Oct 2, 2014
Electrical
Filed Oct 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE A PRIVATE MECHANIC RESET THE SECURITY SYSTEM BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID
10643885
Incident
Apr 16, 2014
Mileage
210,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 22, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10638014
Incident
Oct 5, 2005
Electrical
Filed Sep 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR TO DEACTIVATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10637462
Incident
May 1, 2014
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Feb 1, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DURING THE FAILURE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO DISPLAY RANDOM SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0 MPH TO 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,213.

NHTSA ID
10379803
Incident
Jan 28, 2011
Mileage
97,213 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 12, 2011

I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, SEVERAL TIMES MY SECURITY LIGHTS AND CAME ON AND YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR, IT WILL FLASH FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN HOPEFULLY IT WILL START AND NOT START FLASHING AGAIN. I HAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, AND SPEND $$$$$ MANY DOLLARS AND STILL I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM , I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH NOW BECAUSE I AM SCARE THAT IT WANT START, GMC NEEDS TO DOI A RECALL . *TR

NHTSA ID
10376376
Incident
Jun 13, 2002
Mileage
130,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Sep 13, 2010

POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION MY PART-TIME SIGNAL LIGHTS THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAD TO REPLACE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSER I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR 5 YRS MYSELF AND ITS SO NOT WORTH THE MONEY I HAVE PUT INTO IT THE DATES VARY BUT THE FIRST WAS IN 2004 AND THE LAST WAS 2009. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355125
Incident
Dec 3, 2009
Electrical
Filed Sep 24, 2009

FOR UNKNOWN REASONS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS AND THE CAR WILL EITHER NOT START OR WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY TIME CUTTING POWER TO THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. CAUSING A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285098
Incident
Sep 11, 2009
Mileage
34,494 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .