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2004 Oldsmobile Alero Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, most often about the electrical (52% of complaints, typically around 97,000 miles). It is 5th of 5 Alero model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Electrical
57 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
The turn signals randomly stop functioning. They can go from working to not working and back in any given drive. I have replaced the fuses multiple times, but it quickly starts doing it again.
Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the battery was replaced; however, the failure…
Lights
21 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights.
Vehicle turn signals work intermittently. The hazard lights, and turn signals will stop functioning going down the road, and will randomly start functioning again. Often in the middle of traffic I will be unable to signal because they have stopped functioning. I feel that this is very dangerous, as well as causes the…
The turn signals randomly stop functioning. They can go from working to not working and back in any given drive. I have replaced the fuses multiple times, but it quickly starts doing it again.
Engine
17 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
I was driving on the freeway and my car turned off without warning. My car turned off (power sheering locked up) I made it to the side of the road but not before almost getting hit by a 2 different semi-trucks. I was stranded on the freeway for 4 hours with a new born baby. I have yet to be able to fix my car due to…
Failure happen again. The vehicle as taken to the dealer. The dealer replace. The cam sensor and crank sensor modulator. The vehicle was repaired however the failure happen again. The dealer then stated that could not duplicate the failure again. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure persisted. The failure was…
Air bags
13 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 142,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the security and air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The technician stated that the power control…
My granddaugher to be ran into the back of another can going only about 25 MPH. The airbags came out but did not deflate. They had a cut in them. She did not get hurt but if she had been going faster or if I had been driving and had a wreck it could have caused major damage. She was on a side street
Brakes
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
When my vehicle reached 49,000 miles I had to have the front wheel bearings and brakes replaced. My car is now at 59,000 miles and the front wheel bearings need to be replaced again.
The contact owns a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled without warning and the power steering and brakes failed. The vehicle restarted after multiple attempts, but the failure recurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the failure could be due to a faulty ignition switch…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
"takata recall" I was having trouble startting my car so I went to auto dealership and bought a key which cost $38.. It worked great for maybe a month. Then I took my car to car wash and turned the ignation switch off and got out of car. When I was ready to go, the car would not start. Had to hire a wreaker to haul it…
2004 Oldsmobile Alero ongoing problems with turn signals and hazards inoperable most of the time. Most electrical components fail at times. Window regulator failed. Rear door locks have to play with remote locks before door opens acts as though child safety locks are on can not open door from in or out. Eventually…
Transmission
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Dt: beginning in november 2004 the consumer began to have problems with the electrical system in the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. When the vehicle was purchased the air bag light came on. The consumer was concerned that the air bag light will cause the air bags not to deploy in case of an accident. Also, she was concerned…
June 2010(irving, tx) - the gear shaft button popped out which made shifting from park to reverse or drive almost impossible without sticking something hard inside, like a pen . Vehicle would become difficult to start, typically after third try it would start. . The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent…
Suspension
6 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
Dt: beginning in november 2004 the consumer began to have problems with the electrical system in the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. When the vehicle was purchased the air bag light came on. The consumer was concerned that the air bag light will cause the air bags not to deploy in case of an accident. Also, she was concerned…
When my vehicle reached 49,000 miles I had to have the front wheel bearings and brakes replaced. My car is now at 59,000 miles and the front wheel bearings need to be replaced again.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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.
Questions about the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (57 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); lights (21 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles); engine (17 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 a bad year for the Oldsmobile Alero?
- It is 5th of 5 Alero model years by number of complaints, with 109 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.