RoadVitals

2003 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
184
Latest Jan 5, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
19

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

103
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone

NHTSA ID 11444480 · filed Dec 20, 2021

CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES HER AND THERE HAS HAD A FUEL LEAK FOR AWHILE NOW AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT START..

NHTSA ID 11022049 · filed Sep 7, 2017
All 103 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CALLED DEALER AND ASKED WHAT I SHOULD DO. COAST OUT OF THE CANYON WITH THE ENGINE OFF. TURN ENGINE ON AFTER SEVERAL MILES AND NO MORE PROBLEMS. DRIVE HOME CAREFULLY. NEXT DAY THROWS SEVERAL CODES AND RUNNING SLUGGISH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CODES ARE GONE RIGHT BEFORE IT GOES TO DEALER. THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IF CAR HAS NO ACTIVE CODES OR SYMPTOMS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER TURN CAR ON AND CAR IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND HAS SEVERAL PENDING CODES. CAREFULLY DRIVE HOME. CODES DIDN'T SAVE. FINALLY ABLE TO TAKE TO DEALER AROUND JUNE 25TH WHILE CAR IS MAKING THE KNOCKING NOISE BUT NO CODES AND THEY THINK IT'S A LIFTER BUT NOT SURE. I LEFT THE CAR AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. LITERALLY THE SAME DAY I PICK THE CAR UP IT IS KNOCKING AND CONSISTENTLY DOES SO FOR THE NEXT WEEK AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP. JULY 5 ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BEING HIT BY A HAMMER AND THROWS P0011 CAM TIMING ADVANCED. OIL PRESSURE IS 5PSI AT IDLE AND 40PSI AT 5000RPM. HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T MAKE THE DRIVE AND THEY SAY IT IS PISTON SLAP WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE ENGINE THEY DETERMINE IT IS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH THE TIMING COVER, OIL PAN AND ONE VALVE COVER OFF AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEM TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE AFTER THE RECALL. I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET THE DEALER TO ACTUALLY TEAR IT DOWN TO DIAGNOSE IT.. CODES THROWN SO FAR ARE P0011 P219A P0301 P000A P0420 KNOCKING SEEMS TO BE WHEN OIL WARMS UP AND OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO ABOUT 30PSI AND BELOW.

NHTSA ID 11233626 · filed Jul 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID 10984370 · filed May 8, 2017
All 29 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and crossing an intersection, a speeding police vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the front driver's side wheel was bent. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact hit her chest against the steering wheel. Additionally, the left side of the contact' body hit the driver's side window. The contact was knocked unconscious for approximately 30 minutes. The police officers removed the driver's side door and assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where she spent one night. The contact was then transported to another hospital where she spent two weeks. The contact sustained severe head, collarbone, neck, and back pain. Additionally, the contact sustained chest pain bruises, and a broken left foot. The contact was then sent to a rehabilitation center where she spent one week. The contact was then transported to her residence by emergency units. The contact stated that she had not been able to work properly and she had been depressed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID 11563760 · filed Jan 5, 2024

Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone

NHTSA ID 11444480 · filed Dec 20, 2021
All 24 reports naming airbags

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ID 10863470 · filed May 5, 2016

UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. ONE ISSUE BEING IT WOULD NOT START. I LET THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM LOOK AT IT AND HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT HE USUALLY DEALS WITH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTED GOING OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY ONE DAY AND NOW THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE IS THAT OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, FORCING ME TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE CAR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE TURNING SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER 7PM THROUGH 8AM I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET THE SIGNALS TO TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T WORK IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10689505 · filed Feb 20, 2015
All 15 reports naming exterior lighting

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES HER AND THERE HAS HAD A FUEL LEAK FOR AWHILE NOW AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT START..

NHTSA ID 11022049 · filed Sep 7, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CAR RANDOMLY BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO TRY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING BUT THAT DID NOTHING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN OFF ONTO A SIDE STREET WHERE I WAS ABLE TO SHUT OF THE ENGINE AND MAKE THE CAR STOP BEFORE HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. THE CAR'S ENGINE REVVED UP SO HIGH THAT IT SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO BLOW UP THE ENGINE. NOW THERE IS OIL LEAKING SEVERELY UNDER THE CAR AFTER THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 10960022 · filed Mar 10, 2017
All 15 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014 I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH IT. ONE ISSUE BEING IT WOULD NOT START. I LET THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM LOOK AT IT AND HE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT HE USUALLY DEALS WITH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. HOWEVER, I'M ALMOST POSITIVE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE HORN RANDOMLY STARTED GOING OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY ONE DAY AND NOW THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE IS THAT OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON, FORCING ME TO HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I LEAVE THE CAR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE TURNING SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER 7PM THROUGH 8AM I WON'T EVEN BE ABLE TO GET THE SIGNALS TO TURN ON. OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T WORK IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10689505 · filed Feb 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID 10640527 · filed Oct 1, 2014
All 14 reports naming brakes

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TOP PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ID 10863470 · filed May 5, 2016

MY IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT INVOKE THE ENGINE. IT HAS HAPPENED COUPLE OF TIMES WITH MY ALERO. LAST YEAR AS PER THE RECALL NOTICE GM DEALER CHANGED THE KEYS AND NOT THE ENTIRE IGNITION MODULE. HAVE SPENT OVER USD 350 IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND AGAIN TODAY THE OLDS ALERO IS STOP WORKING. THE IGNITION DOES NOT SEEM TO TURN ON.

NHTSA ID 10809363 · filed Dec 9, 2015
All 13 reports naming steering

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS IN USE DURING CITY DRIVING, WHEN AN ODOR SIMILAR TO EXHAUST WAS NOTICED. DRIVER CONTINUED FOR 3 MORE BLOCKS, WINDOWS DOWN, THEN STOPPED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PINK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BEHIND A PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR PILLAR. SMOKE ENDED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING STOPPED WITH ENGINE OFF. INSPECTION SHOWED BURNT AND MELTED DEFOGGER UNIT, DAMAGED INSULATION, AND PARTLY MELTED PLASTIC PANEL. FUSE FOR THE UNIT WAS REMOVED AND CAR INTERIOR CLEANED. NO OTHER REPAIRS. EVENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE.

NHTSA ID 10863155 · filed May 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10640548 · filed Oct 1, 2014
All 12 reports naming visibility

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES HER AND THERE HAS HAD A FUEL LEAK FOR AWHILE NOW AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT START..

NHTSA ID 11022049 · filed Sep 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN FAILED. THE HORN WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID 10641132 · filed Oct 3, 2014
All 11 reports naming fuel system

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUSPENSION AREA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE ONLY RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN

NHTSA ID 10616721 · filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING BUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF CONSTANT ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID 10579641 · filed Apr 14, 2014
All 10 reports naming suspension

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONTINUATION OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT (10908068). ON 9/20/16, PRIOR DEFECTIVE STARFIRE RS-C ULTIMATE TOURING TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SIMILAR STARFIRE TIRE (U30H LDJ) AT PEP BOYS. PAID $42.41 (TIRE HANDLING CHARGE, WHEEL BALANCE, ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY, AND VALVE STEM). ON 10/13/16 NOTICED NEW TIRE WAS FLAT/LOW, TIRE PRESSUE WAS DOWN TO 18LBS; INFLATED TO 34LBS. ON 10/14 TIRE WAS FLAT AGAIN DOWN TO 19LBS. USED FIX-A-FLAT TYPE PRODUCT AND INFLATED TO 34LBS, APPEARS TO BE HOLDING. SCHEDULING APPT WITH PEP BOYS TO CHECK TIRE AND POSSIBLY RESEAL. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO THIS TIRE BRAND? IS THERE A DEFECT?

NHTSA ID 10916243 · filed Oct 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500.

NHTSA ID 10637273 · filed Sep 18, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRUNK ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE THIRD TIME, SINCE SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE GATE RELEASE ON THE TRUNK LID HAS FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LID WOULD COME DOWN WITH NO WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10703680 · filed Feb 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD, WHICH HOUSES THE AIR BAG, SEPARATED AND EXPOSED THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID 10654711 · filed Nov 13, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONTINUATION OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT (10908068). ON 9/20/16, PRIOR DEFECTIVE STARFIRE RS-C 2.0 ULTIMATE TOURING TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SIMILAR STARFIRE TIRE (U30H LDJ) AT PEP BOYS. PAID $42.41 (TIRE HANDLING CHARGE, WHEEL BALANCE, ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY, AND VALVE STEM). ON 10/13/16 NOTICED NEW TIRE WAS FLAT/LOW, TIRE PRESSUE WAS DOWN TO 18LBS; INFLATED TO 34LBS. ON 10/14 TIRE WAS FLAT AGAIN DOWN TO 19LBS. USED FIX-A-FLAT TYPE PRODUCT AND INFLATED TO 34LBS, APPEARS TO BE HOLDING. SCHEDULING APPT WITH PEP BOYS TO CHECK TIRE AND POSSIBLY RESEAL. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO THIS TIRE BRAND? IS THERE A DEFECT?

NHTSA ID 10916245 · filed Oct 15, 2016

WHILE DRIVING ON I-295 NORTH NEAR HAMILTON TWP, NJ AT AROUND 6:45PM AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A 2-INCH SQUARE HOLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL AND THE DRIVING SURFACE WAS DRY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PEP BOYS, BEVERLY NJ WHERE I PURCHASED ALL FOUR STARFIRE TIRES (RS-C 2.0 225/50/R16) ON 12/27/2015. EACH TIRE HAS THE ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID 10908068 · filed Sep 19, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO START AND THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID 10678892 · filed Jan 26, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10638019 · filed Sep 22, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR SEEMED TO BE FINE..ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE.. TOOK IT TO A CLOSE SHOP AND HE SAID A SLEEVE WITHIN THE DRIVEN SPROCKET ASSEMBLY HAD SHIFTED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT, BLOCKING THE OIL FEED HOLE FOR THE SECOND CLUTCH....HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO ANYTHING!ESTIMATE WAS 1500-2000!!!I HAVE A CAR THAT I STILL OWE 7000 FOR THAT I CAN DO NOTHING WITH!MAYBE GOD WILL SEND ME 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. *NM

NHTSA ID 10149372 · filed Feb 3, 2006

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE RPM'S INCREASED WHEN BRAKING AT 37-40 MPH. *NM

NHTSA ID 10115896 · filed Jun 20, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SLID DOWN AN ICE COVERED HILL, STRUCK A TREE AND THE SEAT BELTS RELEASED.*MR THE REAR SEAT BELTS SECURED TWO CHILD SAFETY SEATS, 1 BOOSTER SEAT AND ONE CHILD SEAT, WHICH WERE THROWN ABOUT DURING THE ACCIDENT. BOTH CHILDREN SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS TO THE FOREHEAD. *NM

NHTSA ID 10118917 · filed Apr 18, 2005

LAST SUMMER MY FAMILY AND I LOADED INTO MY 2003 OLDS ALERO GL FOR A TRIP. THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD CLICK BUT NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE FIRST TIME I TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT SLID FORWARD WITH MY WIFE IN IT. I'VE BEEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THIS STILL HAPPENS. NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED I DON'T LET ANYONE SIT IN THAT SEAT OR I USE MY WIFE'S CAR WHEN CARRYING PASSENGERS TO AVOID THE REPAIR COSTS.*AK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK AND AND BROKE THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE GLASS, THE REPAIR BILL WAS ALMOST $400. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THE WINDOW HAS STARTED SQUEAKING AND RATTLING. I HAVE STOPPED USING IT UNTIL I CAN GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE REPAIRS. A WEEK AND A HALF BACK I NOTICED A RATTLING NOISE IN MY FRONT SUSPENSION AND A WEEK AGO I HAD TO SPEND ALMOST $450 TO REPLACE MY BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS AND HAVE MY SUSPENSION INSPECTED. NOTHING WRONG WAS FOUND WITH THE SUSPENSION, BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND MEINEKE 3 TIMES TOTAL OVER THE LAST YEAR COMPLAINING OF GRINDING AND REDUCED STOPPING POWER. BOTH TOLD ME THAT VISIBLY THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES AND I HAD 15-20,000 MILES OF WEAR LEFT, THAT WAS LESS THAN 6,000 MILES AGO. NEW ISSUE. 3 DAYS AGO MY WINDSHIELD WASHER STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I TRIED TO OPERATE THE WASHER FLUID SHOT OUT OF THE TOP OF THE RESEVOIR AND SOAKED THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ID 10114163 · filed Mar 16, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRUNK ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE THIRD TIME, SINCE SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE GATE RELEASE ON THE TRUNK LID HAS FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LID WOULD COME DOWN WITH NO WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10703680 · filed Feb 3, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .