MYRModel Year Report

1999 Oldsmobile Alero

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Oldsmobile Alero
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
462
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 2 complaints 1998 1999: 462 complaints 1999 462 2000: 557 complaints 2000 2001: 364 complaints 2001 2002: 279 complaints 2002 2003: 184 complaints 2003 2004: 109 complaints 2004
1998: 2 complaints 1998 1999: 462 complaints 1999 462 2000: 557 complaints 2000 2001: 364 complaints 2001 2002: 279 complaints 2002 2003: 184 complaints 2003 2004: 109 complaints 2004
1998: 2 complaints 1998 1999: 462 complaints 1999 462 2000: 557 complaints 2000 2001: 364 complaints 2001 2002: 279 complaints 2002 2003: 184 complaints 2003 2004: 109 complaints 2004

1999: 462 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19982
1999462
2000557
2001364
2002279
2003184
2004109

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

28% · 131 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the brakes failed to engage. As a result, the vehicle rolled over three times. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-15

Also filed under Air bags and vehicle speed control

Electrical system

21% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While parking power steering assit went out. Smoke began to come from under the hood and a fire started in the engine compartment. The fire was put out by the fire department. The car was towed to the dealershp.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-08

Also filed under Steering

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 89 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

FIRE

Visibility

13% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and glass, side/rear.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving home from work, the backseat of my car started on fire. This was due to the rear defogger modular. Thank god no one was in the back. It cost 4,000 to repair.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-13

Exterior lighting

12% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing switch and turn signal.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1998-12-23Steering98V320000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel can come loose from the steering shaft because the steering wheel retaining nut could have been improperly tightened.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel retaining nut for correct tightness and tighten if necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 462 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2000-06-09Structure00V140000 Vehicle description: these vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of FMVSS No. 201, "Occupant protection in interior impact." The console cover on these vehicles does…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the console latch mechanism.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2004-06-18Recall queryClosed 2004-11-30 Turn signal failures
  5. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Oldsmobile Alero — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 131 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 95 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 89 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V320000 · Steering
  • Recall 00V140000 · Structure
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.