RoadVitals

2002 Oldsmobile Alero Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
15
Latest Sep 4, 2008
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.
5%
of 278 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 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 visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Sep 4, 2008

I HAVE HAD MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SINCE 2002. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HAVING THIS CAR THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT BAD AND WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AND IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM BECAUSE THE COMPANY THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WENT BANKRUPT. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE A GASKET IN THE ENGINE THAT KEEPS ENGINE COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL FROM MIXING TOGETHER BECAUSE THE GASKET THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH THE CAR WAS NOT THE RIGHT THICKNESS. (SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY MECHANICS WHY WASN'T THIS RECALLED OR A SERVICE BULLETIN INITIATED?) I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER DOOR CONTROL PANEL THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS AND THE SIDE MIRRORS AND WINDOW LOCKS. THE WINDOWS IN MY CAR CAN ONLY BE CONTROLLED BY THE DRIVER BECAUSE THE WINDOW LOCK IS STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS FALLING DOWN INTO THE DOOR AND HAVE HAD ONE WINDOW REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2007 BUT NOW IN SEPTEMBER 2008 THE PASSENGER WINDOW IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND NOW WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THIS WINDOW AS WELL. RIGHT NOW THE MOST ANNOYING THING ABOUT THIS CAR IS THE TURN SIGNALS. THEY FUNCTION AS THEY SHOULD BUT THE CLICKING NOISE FOR THE TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN I HAVE MADE A TURN (IT ACTUALLY MAKES A CLICKING NOISE ABOUT 3 TIMES AS FAST AS THE REGULAR TURN CLICK). I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE HAZARD LIGHT RECALL WHICH MY CAR FALLS UNDER SO IT WAS NOT FIXED. IT IS A VERY DISTRACTING PROBLEM AND THE ONLY TIME I CAN GET RELIEF FROM THE CLICKING NOISE IS WHEN I ACTUALLY GET READY TO MAKE A TURN BY TURNING ON THE ACTUAL TURN SIGNAL. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. I AM HOPING THAT SOME THING IS DONE ABOUT THE WINDOWS AND THE ENGINE GASKET. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR POOR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN. GM SHOULD MAKE THINGS RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240999
Incident
May 1, 2003
Visibility
Filed Jul 6, 2008

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO FAILS TO ROLL UP. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE A "MANY" COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM, IN ADDITION TO THE ELEVEN (11) NHTSA AND SERVICE BULLETINS YOU ALREADY HAVE ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233295
Incident
Jul 3, 2008
Mileage
96,900 mi
Other / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Jun 6, 2008

OUR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN IT FELL INTO THE DOOR. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT ONTO THE MOTOR WAS BROKEN, AND WE HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. SO WE REPLACED IT IN AUGUST 2007. IT STARTED GIVING US PROBLEMS AGAIN IN APRIL 2008. THE PART IS NOW TOTALLY BROKEN AND WE ARE AGAIN REPLACING THE MOTOR AND BRACKETS. IN THE MEANTIME WE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR PASSENGERS SIDE WINDOW. WE HARDLY EVER ROLL DOWN OUR WINDOWS AND ARE VERY UPSET TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH 3 SEPARATE UNITS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230139
Incident
Jul 24, 2007
Mileage
86,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 1, 2008

REAR DEFROSTER CIRCUIT FAILURE. FUSE OK, RELAY OK, WINDOW IMPRINT OK. REAR ELECTRICAL DEFROST AND ANTENNA MODULE FAILS. REAR VISIBILITY IN COLD CLIMATE COMPLETELY BLOCKED WHEN REAR. WINDOW FROSTED. *TR MANY CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME HAVE REPORTED THAT THE CONNECTOR TO THE ELECTRICAL MODULE INSIDE THE REAR-COLUMN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS OVERHEATING AND MELTING, BREAKING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT.

NHTSA ID
10216688
Incident
Jan 31, 2007
ElectricalFuel systemVisibility
Filed Jan 7, 2008

ON 9/26/2007 MY 2002 OLDS ALERO REFUSED TO START, I FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE AT AT MY JOB, IT STARTED THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER (I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM DRIVETIME) IN NOV 2006, THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO BRING IT TO THEIR APPROVED MECHANIC, I TOOK IT THERE, THEIR MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WOULD COST 755.00. THAT INCLUDED THE DRIVERS WINDOW WHICH FELL INTO THE DOOR FOR THE SECOND TIME, I CALLED DRIVETIME WHO THEN PUT ME ON A REPAIR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, I DROVE THE CAR HOME, THAT SAME DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN, IT IS NOW JANUARY 2008 AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE A WORKING VEHICLE AND AM REFUSING TO PAY FOR IT. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT IT IS THE COMPUTER AND HE CANNOT FIX IT I NOW HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO MAY OR MAY NOT FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. I THINK ITS A DISGRACE, THAT A COMPANY CAN MAKE SUCH A PIECE OF JUNK HAVE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ON IT AND NOTHING IS DONE. I FOR ONE AM NOT GOING TO PAY ONE MORE CENT, THE DEALER COULD KEEP THE CAR, AND DO WITH IT WHATEVER HE WANTS, I REALIZE THIS IS A REPOSESSION BUT I AM NOT A RICH PERSON AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT PROBLEMS WILL ONLY GET WORSE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM, OLDS, DRIVETIME FOR SELLING THE LEMON KNOWING ALL THE PROBLEMS THESE VEHICLES HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214132
Incident
Sep 26, 2007
Mileage
56,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 7, 2008

DRIVER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214003
Incident
Jan 7, 2008
Visibility
Filed May 4, 2007

1. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW START TO SLOW DOWN WHEN BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN, WITHIN WEEKS OF NOTICING THAT THE WINDOW WILL EITHER FALL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR OR GET STUCK ON THE TRACK. HAVE REPLACED EACH WINDOW MOTOR TWICE AND NOW REPLACING THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE WINDOW ALSO HAS TO BE REPLACED THIS TIME, BECAUSE OF CRACKS. THEY HAVE TOLD ME NOW, THAT OLDSMOBILE HAS CHANGED THE WINDOW MOTOR AND FRAME. MEANING THAT THE ENTIRE THINGS HAS TO BE REPLACED. COSTING WELL OVER 600 DOLLARS. IF GM WANTED TO CHANGE THE WINDOW SETTINGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE SENT OUT A RECALL FOR THIS. WAS ALSO TOLD BY A GM DEALER IN PARTS THAT THE WINDOWS WERE NOT LASTING FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10189793
Incident
Apr 30, 2007
Visibility
Filed Apr 29, 2007

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS CONSTANTLY SHORT CIRCUIT SO THEY CAN NOT BE OPENED. THE DRIVER WINDOW SOUNDS LIKE IT IS OFF TRACK AND HAS TROUBLE CLOSING. THE PASSENGER WINDOW STOPS WORKING FOR NO REASON. THE MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10189184
Incident
Jun 15, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 3, 2006

I HAVE A 2 DOOR 2002 OLDS. ALERO THAT HAS MANY PROBLEMS. MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS,MY WINDOWS FALL INTO THE DOOR AND HAVE NO WORKING CAPABILITY. I WENT TO AN OLDS. DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING I DID. IT COSTS A LITTLE OVER 1000.00 TO FIX BOTH WINDOWS ON EVERY OCCASION THAT THEY BREAK. I HAVE PAID THIS AMOUNT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND I FEEL THAT IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR ME TO BE PAYING ANYTHING AT ALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THEM FIXED AGAIN NOR DO I FEEL THAT I HAVE TO. I CONTINUALLY DRIVE AROUND IN THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER W/BROKEN WINDOWS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE SOMEONE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON JUST THIS PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION PLENTY OTHERS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10175016
Incident
Nov 29, 2004
Mileage
51,000 mi
ElectricalTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Mar 2, 2006

2002 ALERO WINDOW REGULATOR IS BRITTLE AND DISINTEGRATING CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL DOWN. *TS THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOOSE AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR MESSAGE CAME ON. *JB

NHTSA ID
10152990
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
41,360 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jun 20, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT IF THE FUSE IS IN THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONSTANTLY RUN. WHEN HE FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE DEALER CLAIMED HE FIX IT. THE SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE SEEM TO BE GOING TOO FAST, AND IT SMELLS LIKE THE WIRES ARE BURNING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10125955
Incident
Mar 4, 2005
Visibility
Filed Jun 6, 2005

DT: TWO DOOR VEHICLE. THE POWER WINDOWS MECHANISM THAT SUPPORTS THE WINDOW BROKE. THE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL UP. CONSUMER HAD ONE SIDE REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. *TT

NHTSA ID
10124357
Incident
Jul 16, 2004
Mileage
35,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 6, 2005
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATED THE DEFOGGER LINES EXPLODED. AS A RESULT, A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK...CONSUMER DIDN'T CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT OR REPORT IT TO POLICE DEPARTMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10106941
Incident
Jan 4, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 29, 2004

FOR THE FIFTH TIME THE WINDOW ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. USUALLY THE WINDOW REGULATOR GOES OUT AND THE BRACKETS BREAK ALONG WITH MY WINDOW. THIS TIME, ONLY THE BRACKETS BROKE AND NOT THE REGULATOR. PROBLEM IS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE MY CAR IS A 2002 MODEL AND THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE SITUATION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10104736
Incident
Dec 23, 2004
Body & structureInterior & seatsSuspension+1 more
Filed Dec 3, 2003

LEATHER ON FRONT DASHBOARD AND BACK PASSENGER DOOR IS DETACHING FROM SURFACE AND BUBBLING. IT IS RATHER SEVERE ON THE FRONT DASH. CIGARETTE LIGHTER (ONE NEAR FRONT PASSENGER FOOT) WAS POORLY INSTALLED. IT POPS OUT ALL OF THE TIME. FRONT END MAKES LOUD SCRATCHING NOISE WHEN MOVING SLOWLY OR BREAKING AND TURNING. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING TODAY. IT WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. TRUNK SMELLS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKS. I'VE FOUND INTERIOR TRUNK TO BE DAMP ON OCCASION. OCCASIONAL WATER LEAKS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE (AT FEET). APPEARS TO BE CONDENSATION OF SOME SORT. BACK CUP HOLDER POPS OUT OF PLACE. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT, DRINK SPILLS RESULTED IN STAINED CARPETING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10049159
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
29,000 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .