MYRModel Year Report

1999 Oldsmobile Alero

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Oldsmobile Alero
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Oldsmobile Alero Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1998: 2 complaints 1998 1999: 462 complaints 1999 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%

28% of complaints: service brakes — 131 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20140915

Also filed under AIR BAGS and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 95 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
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, 19990608

Also filed under STEERING

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 89 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

FIRE
VISIBILITY 13%

13% of complaints: visibility — 59 distinct reports on file, 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, 20030213

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12%

12% of complaints: exterior lighting — 55 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and turn signal.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19981223 — steering

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.

Campaign 98V320000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 462
R 20000609 — structure

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 NOT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

Campaign 00V140000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040618 — RQ (closed 20041130)

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Oldsmobile Alero — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (131 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (95 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (89 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V320000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V140000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ▲ 2003 ● 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ◆ 2001 ● 2002

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.