2003 Oldsmobile Alero: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 184 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (43% of complaints).
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 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile alero. While the key was in the ignition, the engine failed to engage without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
“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 keep the car from accelerating but that did nothing. I was barely able to turn off onto a side street where I was able to shut of the engine and make the car stop before hitting other vehicles. The car's engine revved up so high that it sounded as if it were going to blow up the engine. Now there is oil leaking severely under the car after this incident.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Continuation of a prior complaint (10908068). On 9/20/16, prior defective starfire rs-c 2.0 ultimate touring tire replaced with another similar starfire tire (u30h ldj) at pep boys. Paid $42.41 (tire handling charge, wheel balance, road hazard warranty, and valve stem). On 10/13/16 noticed new tire was flat/low, tire pressue was down to 18lbs; inflated to 34lbs. On 10/14 tire was flat again down to 19lbs. Used fix-a-flat type product and inflated to 34lbs, appears to be holding. Scheduling appt with pep boys to check tire and possibly reseal. Why is this happening to this tire brand? Is there a defect?”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2016
“Continuation of a prior complaint (10908068). On 9/20/16, prior defective starfire rs-c ultimate touring tire replaced with another similar starfire tire (u30h ldj) at pep boys. Paid $42.41 (tire handling charge, wheel balance, road hazard warranty, and valve stem). On 10/13/16 noticed new tire was flat/low, tire pressue was down to 18lbs; inflated to 34lbs. On 10/14 tire was flat again down to 19lbs. Used fix-a-flat type product and inflated to 34lbs, appears to be holding. Scheduling appt with pep boys to check tire and possibly reseal. Why is this happening to this tire brand? Is there a defect?”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2016
“While driving on I-295 north near hamilton twp, nj at around 6:45pm at a speed of about 65 mph, the right rear tire blew out completely. There was a 2-inch square hole on the outside of the tire. Conditions were normal and the driving surface was dry. Vehicle was towed to pep boys, beverly nj where I purchased all four starfire tires (rs-c 2.0 225/50/r16) on 12/27/2015. Each tire has the road hazard warranty.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2016
“Car has been having acceleration issues her and there has had a fuel leak for awhile now and now all of a sudden the car will not start..”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2016
“Ignition lock cylinder failure resulting in the device stocking and becoming stuck inoperable. At first it was difficult to turn to the run possition. It would feel stuck and took some wiggling and shaking in order to start the vehicle. Which progressed to being stuck permanently.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile alero. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but the technician could not get the vehicle started. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the body control module and battery were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also towed to another independent mechanic who was briefly able to get the vehicle started, but the failure recurred. The failure occurred over ten times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile alera. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the temperature gauge increased and white smoke or mist emitted from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine block was cracked and recommended that the vehicle be taken to a radiator specialist, who diagnosed that there was a crack in the block and the engine manifold. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 215,015. The VIN was not available. ....updated 07/05/16 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2003 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
NHTSA has 184 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The most complained-about area is electrical system (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Oldsmobile Alero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal. 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.