2001 Oldsmobile Alero: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 364 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (25% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car will shut off while driving/idling. There are no check engine lights. Took it to get the latest recall fixed that had to do with this and they just gave us new keys. It did not remedy the situation! Now we are paying to fix it because it is still shutting off while driving.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2023
“The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The consumer stated the vehicle was junked 3 or 4 yrs ago because of the computer going out on the vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2022
“For some time the turn signals would only work intermittently. It seemed like I had more trouble with them if it was very hot and humid outside. Then, the turn signals triggered the hazard lights to come on. The turn signals are now inoperable. Sometimes the hazard lights come on by themselves and I am unable to turn them off.the turn signals quit working as I was driving down the road. The turn signals are completely inoperable now.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Air coming into the intake manifold and my low trac light comes on every time I have to do a turnaround or back around in a slow position from a start posistion. So im not getting my gas mileages worth nor can I do a uturn in a fast acceleration. It will get slower thats dangerous if upcoming traffic starts to proceed making it liable for an accident. Im scared for my life. Im in california in los angeles.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2019
“Just got this car from the dealer and there is a gas leak also the key comes out of the ignition with the car on acceleration I have to put it back in and wiggle it to get it off and there's a o-ring sensor leak can't pass the echeck. I've had this car since august and the estimate to get the car fixed to pass the check is over the amount for the car and I am still paying a note when the car is station is leaking gas when it is motion it barely leaks when I park it, it pours out”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2017
“I was at the gro. Store came out and the car would not start 1/2 tank of gas had some one to try a jump start to no avail. The next day it started went to work same thing it tries to start but will not and that is where I am now. Went on the internet and see that I'm not the only one. I'm just looking for help. As many other americans I don't have much money as a single mom. I just need a answer thanks”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“2001 oldsmobile alero. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition coil recall notice states same problem as consumer brake and steering failure accident. *ld the consumer stated while driving over bumpy patch in the road the ignition was inadvertently switched out of the "run" position resulting in an accident.*js”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“I believe it's the security system or something to do with the ignition. I'm not able to start my, all the lights on dash board come on n ac kicks on but the car won't start. When it was the only lights on was the service engine soon, trac off, security light & tire pressure light.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2017
“I recently had my 2001 oldsmobile alero key ignition fail me. I had the recall done on the keys. All they did was put a plastic key cover on my keys. I got stranded due to my "new" keys not allowing my key ignition to turn over at all. I started to do research and have found many complaints that gm won't fix the ignition problem just drills a hole in the top of the key to make it seem lighter in weight and then just covers the original key with plastic. I can't afford this kind of thing happening. I was stranded for several hours due to this. What if this happens to someone with children?”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2017
“My vehicle turn signals are working intermittently. Upon researching this issue, I see that there has since been a recall. However, my VIN doesn't fall into their criteria, but the exact same thing is happening to my vehicle. They refuse to repair at their expense. This is very unsafe and I have a young teenager driving that cannot be without the use of turn signals. The recall number is 03v327000. I indicated the date this occurred as the date the vehicle was given to my daughter. However, it has been an ongoing issue with the previous owners.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Alero by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
NHTSA has 364 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The most complained-about area is electrical system (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:manual transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.