NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition Problems

6.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Oldsmobile Alero electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Comments

problem #11

May 102006

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Locked up ignition switch cruise control fell apart gear shift shifter not secure and slides up the shift.. both oxygen sensors failed all four windows electric motors, and racks have been replaced front end vibration when stopped or parked on incline dash board leather cover came loose and rolled up like a used rug original fuel filter have to be pried out of line and then pieces left had to be removed with needle nose pliers. Fuel gauge as never worked. Now its running about 4 miles and then quits, sets for 30 minutes and drive another 4 miles then quits. Code reader says engine running lean, (problem is 4 to 5 sensors including the injectors could be causing this, no way to tell with replacing them until it runs. The expense of this could be 1000 to 3000 dollars. Electric door locks failed, replace switch, only works part of the time.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #10

May 042006

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The failure is General Motors passlock theft deterent system. My car does not start on numerous occations because of this problem that should be recalled. My car has been in a General Motors repair shop five times with this problem and it still occurs. It has left me stranded, late for school, late for work, among other things because it will not start for 10 minutes until it resets. It is a safety issue and is embarrrassing when you cant move your car for 10 minutes after refueling at a gas station causing other people to get angry.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #9

Jul 012004

Alero

  • miles
The power window motor has burned out twice. There was an accident. The vehicle was in park automatically put itself in reverse, rolled back hitting another vehicle. Also, the ignition switch. Upon putting the key into the ignition the consumer has to spray it with 40/40 wd before the vehicle will start.

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #8

Mar 162004

(reported on)

Alero

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, but it wouldn't start. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate or resolve the problem.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #7

Apr 062003

Alero

  • miles
The ignition key would not turn. The dealer claimed it was torque lock but the consumer disagreed. The vehicle has not been repaired.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #6

Mar 062003

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
This complaint is similar to complaint numbers 563702, 712756, 724936. Late last year, I had to have the key lock cylinder and security chip in the ignition/key system replaced to the tune of several hundred dollars (problem with fidelity warranty service) and now the key cylinder which was reported to have been replaced was apparently not replaced. Now I can't start my car with the key. The key will not turn, like putting your car key in another car. It wouldn't turn the lock. I have noticed several times when I couldn't turn the car off all the way but the key would come out. I have also found the same problem in other GM cars that I use professionally. The car key comes out from time to time when the car is running, or when the car isn't turned all the way off.... it's not a constant problem but it is a problem.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #5

Jul 012002

Alero

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

One failed due to the others failure.no safety defect listed.

- Roland, OK, USA

problem #4

Aug 192001

Alero

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Kinston, NC, USA

problem #3

May 232000

Alero

  • miles
1)the ABS braking system feels weak and a substantial vibration of the entire steering wheel and front panel of the car occurs when brakes are applied. Car does not stop sufficiently unless brakes are fully depressed. 2)the car has not been able to successfully start multiple times and is currently unable to start. The battery has been checked and is fine. No recharging of battery occurs even after jump-starting and running the engine for a lengthy period of time. 3) left rear door panel has parts that are falling off and loose. 4) parking brakes are weak and fail to prevent rolling on inclines. Additionally, there has been a recall placed on this model for failure to conform to federal/Canada motor vehicle saftey standard 201, "occupant protection in interior impact."

- Rosemead, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 031999

Alero

  • miles
The vehicle is equiped with an ignition system, that has a security chip inside the key, which is read by the ignition system, and then the car is started. I have experienced two problems with the system, in which the car will not start and the "security" light on the dash starts blinking, this happens with both original keys. When I called the road side assistance people they tell me to leave the keys in the ignition for 15 minutes. I have talked to other people who own GM vehicles, and they seem to have had the same problem, I think it deserves to be looked into. Thank you

- Clawson, MI, USA

problem #1

Dec 231998

Alero

  • miles
No summary

- Arco, ID, USA

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