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2001 Oldsmobile Alero Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 364 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, most often about the electrical (36% of complaints, typically around 86,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Alero model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Electrical
130 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, horn.
2001 Oldsmobile Alero - randomly shuts down while driving. Dealer indicates that the gm passlock system is faulty $600 to replace. This is a common problem on all gm and is very dangerous. I have 2 teenage daughters that have each been stranded various times as the car just randomly shuts down while driving. Very…
1. Security lights flashes 2. Then when I turn off my car and go to turn it off it will not start it is because of the passlock system no work..which cause my car to not work and be to be stuck where I am!! And I am a under female in college, so this worries me that one day my car will not start and I am going to get…
Lights
68 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights, brake lights, fog lights.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, she noticed that the engine would turn; however, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact also noticed that the turn signals began to make a buzzing sound. The current mileage was…
Hard starting. Vehicle just keeps on cranking but does not start unless you pump accelerator several times. This happens daily,- every time you attempt to start the vehicle. We also have a problem with the hazard warning switch and directional lights,- police flashed me down and gave verbal warning.
Engine
61 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2001 Alero (2 dr. Coupe) I have been on several sites and am finding many Alero owners having the same problems that I have encountered over the last couple of years. Fuel pump, wheel hub assemblies, intake manifold gaskets, power window failure(grinding/breaking clips/regulators), serv engine and traction control…
Lower intake gasket went at 70,000 both front wheel hubs went when we bought at 60000 an windows came off track all dash lights on fuel pump replaced an now head gasket is blown an heater core replaced at 80,000 now has 100,000 an is a lemon.
Brakes
53 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, disc.
Problem with brakes,had to have new front brakes and front rotors put on car, still have dragging problem underneath car.now car having problems in starting and low tire pressure lights comes on even when tire pressure has been checked and corrected.
I have owned this 01 Alero for 7 months now and have had problems since day one. I first had to replaced the front brakes, calipers & pads & rotors. Then my ABS speed sensor went so I had to replace that too. Now whenever I hit the brakes they grind and sometimes fail to work. For a 01 this car has given me way too…
Fuel system
41 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.
The fuel pressure regulator failed. This is a safety device that could have caused a fire. I reported the defective part to my dealer but they would not fix it at no cost because the car was over warranty by 2,000 miles. The dealer suggested to contact gm cares hotline. Gm did not care they would not authorize to…
: the contact stated the service engine soon light illuminated on the dash of the vehicle. The dealership determined the filler neck was corroded which allowed gasoline to leak out.
Visibility and wipers
35 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, rearview mirrors/devices.
2001 Alero (2 dr. Coupe) I have been on several sites and am finding many Alero owners having the same problems that I have encountered over the last couple of years. Fuel pump, wheel hub assemblies, intake manifold gaskets, power window failure(grinding/breaking clips/regulators), serv engine and traction control…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The module that controls the rear window defogger, located underneath the back panel by the rear window, becomes very hot and melts. It melted the connection and the box that contains the module. As a result, the defogger does not work. The vehicle has not been to a dealer or…
Suspension
18 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Front hub (drivers side) went bad at around 48,000 miles, dealer replaced under warranty. Aprox. One year later both front hubs went bad (at just over 60,000 miles with less then 12,000 miles on drivers side hub) cost was around $500.00 each to replace.
Consumer complained that front wheel bearing had to be replaced three times with less then 59,000 miles on vehicle. Dealer was notified.
Steering
17 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: column locking, rack and pinion, column, hydraulic power assist system.
While backing out of a parking space, steering ability had severely reduced to nil. . There was no warning in feel, just a clunk sound. After immediate stop, steering was checked again by turning steering wheel. No response in either direction. Vehicle had to be towed from area which was semi blocking traffic due to…
The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving 5 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle to inspect it when he noticed that the steering rack had separated from the frame. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic who informed the contact that…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Oldsmobile Alero recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on september 9, 2014. Gm's number for this recall is 14350.
Full defect summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on july 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 chevrolet impala and monte carlo, 1997-2003 chevrolet malibu, 2004-2005 malibu classic, 1999-2004 oldsmobile alero, 1998-2002 oldsmobile intrigue, 1999-2005 pontiac grand am and 2004-2008 pontiac grand prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Lights: switch
Risk: When the turn signals are inoperative, the driver cannot use them to signal intent to turn that could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on february 5, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that may experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: In this situation, the key can be removed from the ignition while the transmission is in a forward gear, which is not permitted by the standard.
Fix: Dealers will disable the 5th/reverse inhibitor by removing a retaining pin and replace the shifter assembly.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transaxles (rpo m86) fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." when a driver attempts to shift from 5th gear to reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be mechanically in 4th gear even though the shift lever indicates reverse gear.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Turn signal failures
Summary
By letter dated august 27, 2003, gm notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03v327) involving certain model year (my) 2000-2001 chevrolet malibu, oldsmobile alero, and pontiac grand am.gm's recall covers 670,740 vehicles manufactured beginning february 1, 2000 through may 1, 2001 (alero and grand am) and february 1, 2000 through may 31, 2001 (malibu).gm reports that turn signal failure is due to solder joint cracking in the hazard switch, and has identified rapid temperature transitions of the hazard switch and the soldering process as the cause of cracking.electrical current to the turn signals flows through the hazard switch and an open circuit
Erratic fuel gauge
Summary
Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of the circuit card) will cause incorrect readings to register on the fuel gauge.gm reported in their response to odi dated january 13, 2003 that the primary cause of erratic fuel gauge operation is excess elemental sulfur in fuel.gm reported that abnormal levels of sulfur sporadica
Erratic fuel gauge
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Questions about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (130 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles); lights (68 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); engine (61 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Oldsmobile Alero?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Alero model year since 2000, with 364 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.