2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems
The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero has 549 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (25%) concerns electrical system. After that come lighting (13%) and brakes (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 549 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 25% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 28 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 25 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 65,000 miles 313 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 23 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 39 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 66 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 69 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 24 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 25 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 35 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 11 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 7 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 8 |
| 200k+ miles | 6 |
What the data shows
Among the 313 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 65,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 88,000 miles (87 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 28 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 25 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Oldsmobile Alero with enough data (313 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 oldsmobile alero. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and crashed. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. Medical attention was received, but the crash resulted in the death of the driver. The vehicle was destroyed and included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/29/14 updated 4/23/2015
Picked up car 1/30/2001 on 4/9/car flat bedded in for brake problems, said it was rear park brake hanging up from rust proofing they replace both rear cables. 5/15 flat bedded again roto on rt. Glazed they replace and adjusted brakes and road tested. 6/19 going shopping with cousin was at a complete stopnext thing the car lunged into the rear of the car in front of us and I still had my foot on the brake. We we all shook up cause it was a sudden jar that we and the people the car hit we all sore from it .
The tires were defective. The tire pressure will not sustain. The tire pressure light stays on, and the consumer had to add air daily. The dealer refused to cooperate. The left front door body side was falling, the solder joints in the hazard warning flasher switch may crack, the coolant light had come on, there was an erratic sound when the ignition was first turned on, the driver window had a water leak, the left power window won't seal, the regulator was broken, and the key would get stuck in the ignition…
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 oldsmobile alero. While traveling 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle immediately accelerated to 80 MPH and then slowed back down. When the contact stopped to get fuel, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was determined that the fuel pump failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic who stated that the ignition switch, casing, and relay switch needed to be replaced.