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2002 Oldsmobile Alero Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 279 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, most often about the electrical (48% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Alero model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Electrical
133 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Blinker is very intermittent and dangerous. Sometimes it works, other times nothing. When it is not working the hazard or blinker sound seems to be going off and on constantly. The repair shop said that they would have to tear apart the whole dash just to troubleshoot the problem. This is a very scary problem and can…
I have a 2002 olds Alero that has alot of electric problems (or so I assume) the turn signal noise turns on while I'm driving and my signal isn't on. This happens daily and is hard to determine if my flasher is actually on or not. Also my car wont always start. My track control light, service engine & low tire…
Lights
78 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights, tail lights.
The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the audible sound that accompanies the turning signal continuously chimed after the turn was completed. The sound would increase before stopping sporadically. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage…
: the contact stated the vehicle warning lights failed. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03v327000, regarding the hazard flashing warning light switch. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The dealership replaced the hazard flashing warning…
Engine
41 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The lower intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced in my car 2002 Alero with 67,500 miles, come to find out gm knows about this and it is a common replacement, design flaw with gm vehicles even the repair shops have knowledge about this. Is there a r-emarket rebate for this problem. It will vcost me about 700 to…
Car was being driven when a loud explosion came from the engine compartment. The car then immediately cut off and had to be towed in for service. Upon inspection, it was found that the timing chain had broke and that there was other internal valve and engine component damage. The engine is a 2.2l gm motor that was…
Brakes
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
Consumer stated brake lining separated from the bonding. ......the inside front brake pad linings separated from backing plate, left pad wore out more than right. Dealer would do nothing. They claime dit was a worn out part not a defect. Called Oldsmobile customer assistance canter. A factory representative came to…
Brake complaint: front and rear brake problems continue including abnormal accelerated wear, brake noises and rotor corrosion. Front and rear rotors have been replaced twice, turned on numerous occasions and the front and rear pads have been replaced several times in less than 32,000 miles. In total, more than $1,000…
Fuel system
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
The car shuts off while driving. It is horrible , steering wheel locks, and I practically have to brake my arms and back trying to turn it to get out of traffic. When it shuts off it makes and awful bussing noise and all display lights are lit up. I believe it maybe weather related because it mostly happens when it is…
Car cut off while driving, would not start, security light flashing, took to shop cost 800.00 for new fuel pump, then a month later same deal come to find out it: it's the ignition switch having to due with the security, sometimes the car will not start sometimes it cuts off while driving. They need to recall this its…
Visibility and wipers
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system, rear window wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices.
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…
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…
Other or unspecified
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles.
I have a 2002 olds Alero gls. The 2001 olds Alero has this recall: 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…
I started having problems in feb. Of this year(2005). The car would not start. Towed it to a dealer and they replaced the ignition cylinder. 3 days later was having the same problem. Took it back to the dealer and they then replaced the housing. Begining of june had the same problem occure agian. Towed it back to the…
Steering
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, linkages, rack and pinion.
As I was merging onto the highway 496 from waverly rd in lansing headed east my car suddenly began shaking terribly and the next thing I knew the vehicle just shot to the right at increased speed causing me to hit a number of trees before finally stopping. My 5 year old son was in the backseat of the vehicle at the…
The car turns off while I am driving resulting in loss of all electrical and power components. No power brakes or steering. It does this all the time and I've taken it in and they can not find the problem.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 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.
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
In december 2004, gm issued a special policy for my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03v327. The policy covered turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurred first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch. Gm sent letters to owners starting december 30, 2004.in january 2006, gm will update the special policy to include my 2002 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03v-327.the policy covers turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurs first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch.gm will send letters to o
Questions about the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (133 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); lights (78 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles); engine (41 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have?
- 1 recall 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 2002 a bad year for the Oldsmobile Alero?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Alero model year since 2000, with 279 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.