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2003 Oldsmobile Alero Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 184 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, most often about the electrical (56% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 4th of 5 Alero model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Electrical
103 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the security system caused the vehicle to stall repeatedly without warning. The contact stated that the failure would occur sporadically and oftentimes, the vehicle would restart immediately and other times it would not. The vehicle was…
Came out after work to start my car and turned the key and got nothing. Had the car towed before I was told it was due to the security system in this model. After researching the internet and a call to the dealer where I purchased the car I was told to leave the car in the on position for 10-15 minutes then turn it…
Engine
29 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
I used my horn to let someone know that they were in my lane, and all of a sudden my horn was stuck. The window clips on my car broke off, as I have read of these same complaints of other 2003 Oldsmobile Alero owners. I believe that there are serious defects of these two parts, and gm will not issue a recall to fix…
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…
Air bags
24 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag was failing. The contact stated that the covering for the air bag was shifting and that 2/3 of the covering was up in the air. The surface was no longer smooth. The contact had a seamstress inspect the surface. The seamstress…
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…
Lights
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights, tail lights.
I own a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero that has an intermittent problem with the turn signals/hazard switch. The turn signals will fail to operate without prior notification. Last friday this almost resulted in an rear-end accident as I was making a left turn from a two lane highway. When I referred to Alero problems and fixes…
My lower intake manifold is leaking just as is popular on these types of engines. Also my turn signal is working off and on. I have sent letters to gm with no response or success.
Brakes
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
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…
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and continued to accelerate even after the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple…
Speed control
14 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and continued to accelerate even after the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple…
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…
Steering
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, steering wheel/handle bar, linkages.
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…
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the vehicle was extremely difficult to steer and upon making a turn, the vehicle stalled multiple times. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the electrical ignition switch needed to be…
Visibility and wipers
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer.
2003 Oldsmobile Alero, I have only had this car approximaytely 9 months, the driver's side power window has stopped working. Dealer has told me that warranty is out bacause of mileage. I drive about 700 miles a week for my job, that doesn't mean I sit and play with my power window, with the car being so new, it should…
Bought this 2003 olds Alero in 2005 with original warranty still in force, also purchased extended warranty. This vehicle had dash peeled back and material over glove box peeled when purchased, also cracked plastic on back passenger side. Molding around windshield was coming off and has since blown away. Had to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: Failure to return to idle could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the accelerator pedal arm and replace the accelerator and brake pedal assembly with a new assembly, if necessary. The recall began on december 20, 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 fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' in hot ambient conditions, the accelerator pedal arm may stick at the attachment to the bracket and not return to the engine idle position when the operator lifts his foot from the accelerator pedal.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (103 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); engine (29 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); air bags (24 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have?
- 2 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 2003 a bad year for the Oldsmobile Alero?
- It is 4th of 5 Alero model years by number of complaints, with 184 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.