MotorDeets

Oldsmobile Alero problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Alero from 1998 to 2004: 1,957 owner complaints and 15 recalls across 7 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2000 (557), 1999 (462), 2001 (364). Best fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (2004).

Oldsmobile Alero
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Electrical601
Exterior lights356
Brakes (hydraulic)315
Engine & cooling257
Visibility (wipers, glass)170
Suspension107
Airbags101
Steering98

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199802–
1999346223
2000455723
2001436423
2002127925
2003218425
2004110927

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Oldsmobile Alero.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Oldsmobile Alero?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2000 (557), 1999 (462), 2001 (364).

How many recalls has the Oldsmobile Alero had?

Across 1998–2004, NHTSA lists 15 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).