2002 Oldsmobile Alero: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 278 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (38% of complaints); the 2004 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 278 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Kept cutting off won't stay crunk long ignition is jammed loud screeching noises from the springs alternator might be the reason electrical issues fuel pump I had to leave my car at a friend's place I'm not working due to the COVID pandemic not able to afford repairs I really need my transportation someone referred me to this site”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2021
“"takata recall" I own a 2002 oldsmobile alero and my blinkers only work maybe 2 time a month when I use my turning signals in either direction I just hear a buzzing sound sometimes it is only in one direction and sometimes there is no sound and no blinker at all. Now my gas gauge says empty and I just put $30 of gas in it and once I ran out of gas and and was stuck on the hwy for 4 hours because my gas gauge said full tank b”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2019
“Car often stalls starting. Easily cuts off when portable phone charger is in place or if radio is on after 5 minutes with discontinuing engine. Cut off at a stop sign recently without warning and would not restart until some time later. Has new battery less than 8 months old. Did the same things with old battery and was thought that it was the problem but continues with the same issues. Seems to have a short in the electrical system somewhere.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. While exiting a parking lot, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and it was able to drive normally; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Takata recall- I bought this car last year and have had trouble with the ignition. When I try to turn the key I feel the ignition move. I also have a hard the keeping it started. When I'm driving with my seat belt on my no seat belt light flashes on and off as if it wasn't on.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. The contact stated that the vehicle had aftermarket struts installed by an independent mechanic. The struts caused premature wear and pulled apart the control arms at the center bushings, which caused the geometry of the suspension to change. As a result, it was dangerous when making turns. The part manufacturer denied any failures with the struts. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 230,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2018
“My tensor pulley is going out and my safety sensors like anti lock, trac off and now service engine soon keep coming on had it in shop and found nothing wrong. Now its making loud noises.it happens when im stopped and moving”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
“It just started after the security got lock and had to be over drive. When you drive you can feel the car idle bad when you have to stop for a light or stop sign or if you have to stop to turn and you get below 1 mga turns off. Yesterday it did this and turn off and all it would do is just turns but doesn't start. In the middle of the road. It sounds to me like it's not get fuel or air where it needs to be. You can drive the speed limit and watch the mga, I think, 1,2,3, ildel down a little. Started end of sept or no troubler”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. The contact heard a whining noise when turning the steering wheel from right to left. The "service vehicle soon" indicator illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (jerry seiner chevrolet, 1530 s 500 w, salt lake city, ut 84115) and was informed that the original key was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 141,111.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2016
“Alero cuts off while driving and won't start back for hours. Dealership and mechanics can't find out why this is occurring. Extremely dangerous, the car randomly cuts off without warning. I have searched online and found this forum where others have encountered the very same issue: http://www.carcomplaints.com/oldsmobile/alero/2000/engine/engine_cuts_off_while_driving.shtml.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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 2002 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
NHTSA has 278 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The most complained-about area is electrical system (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Oldsmobile Alero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.