2003 Oldsmobile Alero

▲ Better than typical

2003 Oldsmobile Alero
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:16:13.492Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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

2003: 184 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1998	2
1999	462
2000	557
2001	364
2002	278
2003	184
2004	109

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 43%

43% of complaints: electrical system — 79 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TODAY I STARTED MY CAR WITH MY AUTOMATIC STARTER THEN 7 MINUTES LATER I HEAR A HORN NON STOP BEEPING I LOOKOUT MY DOOR AND MY CAR IS SMOKING AND IN FLAMES FROM HOOD. INVESTIGATOR TELLS ME IT TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140227

Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone

NHTSA ODI report, 20211220

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and crossing an intersection, a speeding police vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the front driver's side wheel was bent.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240105

TODAY I STARTED MY CAR WITH MY AUTOMATIC STARTER THEN 7 MINUTES LATER I HEAR A HORN NON STOP BEEPING I LOOKOUT MY DOOR AND MY CAR IS SMOKING AND IN FLAMES FROM HOOD. INVESTIGATOR TELLS ME IT TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140227

Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone

NHTSA ODI report, 20211220

ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TODAY I STARTED MY CAR WITH MY AUTOMATIC STARTER THEN 7 MINUTES LATER I HEAR A HORN NON STOP BEEPING I LOOKOUT MY DOOR AND MY CAR IS SMOKING AND IN FLAMES FROM HOOD. INVESTIGATOR TELLS ME IT TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140227

1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190720

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20041220 — vehicle speed control

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 M

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 CH

Campaign 04V528000 — check if this car was fixed

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