NHTSA — Electrical System: Ignition: Anti-Theft: Control Module Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,191 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.

2001 Oldsmobile Alero electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Comments

problem #13

Sep 212009

Alero

  • 131,000 miles

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

While driving my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, everything seemed fine until I made a left turn at a light and the car suddenly dies while driving about 25 mph. This is the very first time the car has died, period. Luckily it did not happen during my 30 mile drive to work on the interstate. After several minutes of sitting in the car with the ignition off, the car dings about 6 times. No lights are on, not even the security light, (nothing that is indicative to a malfunction). It does not seem to be an electrical issue. When I took the vehicle to a friend's shop, the fuel pump tested fine. He came up with a passlock issue, and told me that if that is the actual problem it would most likely be expensive to repair. This car has driven quite well for months up until yesterday. If you let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour it will start right up but then die again within 10-15 minutes. There is no blinking security light, no diagnostics showing that anything is wrong period with the exception of a possible passlock issue. I cannot risk driving this vehicle. I am missing work because of this, on top of the fact that I will have some kind of repair cost, and not knowing exactly what the issue is, am afraid I will be taken advantage of if I go to a dealer that actually knows what the problem is. When I mention this to places I call they tell me that there is no way that the car would just die while it's in motion, almost as though it's completely unrealistic for any vehicle to stop working in normal driving conditions. I wish it were so! I wouldn't be so afraid to drive it if that were the case! at this point seems to be a costly death.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #12

Oct 102008

Alero

  • 84,632 miles
1. security lights flashes 2. then when I turn off my car and go to turn it off it will not start it is because of the passlock system no work..which cause my car to not work and be to be stuck where I am!! and I am a under female in college, so this worries me that one day my car will not start and I am going to get hurt or kidnapped! 3. nothing!! I have to do something weird with letting car sit for a while for it to work..so I am not safe! this has happened about 3 times now!

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #11

Oct 012006

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
Security light, anti-theft device.

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #10

Jun 012006

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Three times my vehicle would not start. It was towed into caldwell, Ohio dealership and they could find nothing wrong with it. It started when it got there. Three days later in latrobe, pa. Same thing. Car placed with arnold palmer motors. Fixed with new programming and new computer chip. Two days later, same problem in cambridge, Ohio. Finally fixed at dunning motors. My cost: Over 500 dollars.

- Latrobe, PA, USA

problem #9

Aug 272007

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,854 miles
Lock cylinder needs replacing. Car will not start.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #8

Apr 302007

Alero

  • miles
Ignition system failure is making me crazy I have talked to several mechanics about this and am told this is common where is the recall! I am tired of missing work due to this issue. This will be the last G.M. car I will ever own.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

problem #7

Jan 082007

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2001 Oldsmobile Alero - defective theft deterrent system: I have owned this car 2 years and have had to get the ignition replaced 3 times because the theft deterrent system keeps periodically believing that the car is being "stolen" and shuts the car down. Most times, you can't get the ignition key to even turn in the ignition. At other times, the starter just turns over but won't crank. Not to mention that each time this has happened, the expense involved in having to get the car towed to the Oldsmobile dealership, as well as the inconvenience of having your car running fine one moment and suddenly, with no warning whatsoever, having your car completely shut down. Oldsmobile, GM, or somebody needs to recall these cars and fix this defective theft deterrent system.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #6

Dec 122006

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Car turns over but will not start. It has left me stranded 3 times so far. I have spend over a thousand dollars on parts alone, and now it is in the shop for I new fuel pump.(another $450) I have read many reports of the something happening to other people and no recall. It would really help to have a recall to save people their hard earn money on a problem that should have been fixed before the car was sold. I have been late to work many times, had to catch buses, and walk many miles because of this car. I have paid over $300 on rides to and from work just so I can pay for parts for the car to only run for a week. So please can you have a recall issued so me and countless other can have the good running car we all pay for in the first place. Thank you jarvis joyner.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #5

Mar 042005

Alero

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
The consumer was able to start the vehicle, however, it will not continue to run. The ignition switch/theft deterrent needed to be replaced, per the dealer.

- Alamo, TN, USA

problem #4

Dec 232003

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On several different occasions security light remains on during the duration of driving. When we try to start the car, the security light flashes and the car won't start. Oldsmobile roadside assistance recomends leaving the key in the on position until the security light stops flashing, taking the key out for 30 seconds, and then trying to start it again. This normally fixes the problem temporarily. However, when you have small children in the car, it becomes a real hazard to be waiting for your vehicle to start. I've contacted the dealer and they say that there is no recall to fix this problem.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #3

Dec 102003

Alero

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

My 2001 Oldsmobile Alero will not "turn over". mechanic says anti-theft is keeping me from steeling my car. Both keyless entries will not work. Has not started for 6 days. Still will not start. Closest Oldsmobile dealership over 30 miles away. Afraid of what it will cost to fix. This is frustrating. Turn signals are fixed but would only work when they wanted to. I had them repaired last year.

- York, SC, USA

problem #2

Sep 222003

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles
Security light starts to flash while driving - after shutting it down it will crank but not start.

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 212003

Alero 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
(1)my car refused to start one Friday while I was trying to leave work. Everything worked (lights, radio), but the engine wouldn't "turn over." Couldn't start Saturday, tow-truck driver couldn't start Monday. Call from service center Tuesday, car started when tech tried, put through diagnostic tests, nothing found wrong. Three weeks later, same thing happened. Car starts again at service center. Technician tells me the theft deterrent module needs replacing. Car "thinks" its being stolen, so it cuts off the fuel pump. Motion of being put on tow truck probably causes shortage. Cost $400+ (2)signal lights some times stop working for several hours.

- Angier, NC, USA

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