2004 Oldsmobile Alero: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 109 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (42% 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 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have exhaust coming into the car through the vent when thermostat is in use, my back seats are not in the clip and flip up with no problem and I have a 8 year old son who sits back there, my break pedal will lock and I cannot apply pressure, my dash lights just stopped working I believe the ECM is bad, my headlights go from bright to dim, car does not seem to keep acceleration power very well”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2024
“Friendly Chevrolet 62704 has refused the open recall on my vehicle after being on schedule for tommrow 8a.m Service Manager Sir Richard said it's a waste of time and not my issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2024
“The contact owns a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while turning the key the vehicle failed to start. The blinkers were inoperable at times. There was an abnormal grinding sound detected while turning the ignition. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who test drove the vehicle and determined the failure was due to the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Lo que debes resaltar en el reporte: Kilometraje: 60,000 millas (especifica que el daño grave se notó a las 40,000). Componente: "Structure: Frame and Members" (Estructura: Chasis y travesaños). Riesgo: "Complete structural failure" (Fallo estructural completo”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2022
“Airbag no deployment Loss of power steering Brakes to floor Car died Recall ignored prior and still today after set up now off their schedule Friendly Chevrolet rich Gardner”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2022
“The hazard and turn signals doesn't work at all. I bought a new turn switch, put a new fuse in and everything and nothing works. When I drive on the road the turn signal doesnt come on and sometimes it causes a lot of problems.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 oldsmobile alero. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to autonation chevrolet amarillo (2200 e I-40, amarillo, tx 79103) to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The contact received two new keys from the dealer, but they did not start the vehicle and the security indicator flashed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
“Recently started financing a vehicle through car hop. They had me sign a form saying that there was a possibility of a recall on the vehicle, but didn't specify what. Reading it over now the form states they will not be responsible to correct this recall. Recall number is 14v400.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 oldsmobile alero. While driving 30 mph, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belts failed to lock. The contact sustained a leg injury and a concussion, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 oldsmobile alero. After driving and arriving at her destination, the contact stated that the vehicle key came out of the ignition switch on its own. The contact stated that this was an every day occurrence ever since the vehicle was repaired for an ignition switch recall issued by the manufacturer in april of 2017. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and case number: 8-2930117201 was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The NHTSA campaign number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - 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 2004 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
NHTSA has 109 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. The most complained-about area is electrical system (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Oldsmobile Alero problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,781 miles or less.
Does the 2004 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.