2003 Oldsmobile Alero problems
The 2003 Oldsmobile Alero has 294 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (37%) concerns electrical system. After that come engine (9%) and air bags (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 294 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 37% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 27 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 26 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 203 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 | 17 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 29 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 26 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 26 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 45 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 21 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 19 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 11 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Among the 203 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 83,000 miles (70 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 27 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 26 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 2003 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Oldsmobile Alero with enough data (119 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 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.
Consumer is writing in regards to 2003 oldsmobile alero. Stating that son was killed in single car crash, roll over. Wondering if the key fob was the cause. The consumer stated the air bag did not deploy.
Purchased 2003 alero on oct 8, 2009 on oct. 9th car would not start or jump, ABS and security light was on, radio turned off. Had it towed back to dealer who looked at it the next day and the car started right up and they could not duplicate the problem so they did not do any work to it. On oct 15 while my daughter was driving the vehicle onto the interstate the ABS light and security light came on and the steering wheel turned sharply to the left and she could not control the vehicle.
Vehicle encountered a problem with the steering wheel. The air bag deployed from within the steering wheel setting off a fuse which shorted out the air bag module. In case of an accident, air bags may or may not deploy.
2003 alero ignition shorted causing consumer not be able to start vehicle, also found a leak in intake manifold gasket. The passlock sensor in the ignition cylinder shorted and as a result the vehicle would not start. The intake gaskets and oil drive o-ring leaked. The dealer replaced the lower intake manifold gasket, rocker cover gaskets and oil pump driveshaft cover seal. The air bag cover warped. The top of the dash was wrinkled and the instrument panel pan was peeling from it's backing.