NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2002 Oldsmobile Alero (Page 3 of 6)

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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,826 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.

2002 Oldsmobile Alero electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #61

Jun 102014

Alero 6-cyl

  • 185,000 miles

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

I was driving down a country road at 45 mph and my car shut off. I pulled over to the side of the road and then the car started up. This happened again, a couple days later, when I was driving down a city street at 30 mph. A couple days after this incident, the car shut down three times as I was driving out of a parking lot. I took the car to the mechanic (6/4/2014), they replaced the cam shaft sensor. ($395.58). A couple days later, the car was in the parking lot and would not start. It cranked over, but wouldn't start. I had it towed to the mechanic (6/13/2024), this time the mechanic replaced the ignition starter switch ($289.62). A month later, the car was sitting in the parking lot and again would not start. It was towed and the mechanic (8/25/2014) and the mechanic replaced the crankshaft position sensor ($194.09.) now I am crossing my fingers that this does not happen again. Look at the website car complaints.com and you will see numerous postings from people experiencing the same problems. The first incidents of the car shutting down while I was driving could have resulted in an accident. The recent incidents are inconvenient. GM needs to be held accountable for these issues. It appears from other users that as the car gets older with more miles, these electrical/sensor issues are becoming more prevalent.

- Maplewood, MN, USA

problem #60

Jul 082008

Alero 6-cyl

  • 27,363 miles
My car shut off while driving on downtown street. Tow was necessary. Ignition sensory assembly had to be replaced. I received recall for this today GM #14350. I was told there would be directions in the case that I already made repair. There are no instructions. I have a very specific receipt for the repair. How do I get reimbursed. Phone #'s are always busy...that's why I'm trying for information here. Thanks.

- Sunbury, PA, USA

problem #59

Jul 012014

Alero

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owned a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and caused the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start and was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- El Paseo, TX, USA

problem #58

Aug 012014

Alero 6-cyl

  • 100,200 miles

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

Known problem with anti theft system car wont start, safety system wont allow, repairs can be maid at dealer for 500. No long term fix. Online people say had repair to have problem happen over and over, dealer recharges for repair each time knowing its a defect in anti theft. Car will strand U cause GM refuses to recall defected system parts.

- Norwalk, OH, USA

problem #57

Aug 112014

Alero 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
I have had the same problem for a while! about 3 months ago I get in my car to go to school and work and guess what the car would not start and I waited and it still did not start. I called the towing company and they took it to the mechanic and it started 10 times and they could not find anything wrong. So for the last 2 months it has drove fine. Well last Monday morning it did it again would not start so I had to miss work and call a tow truck and took it to the dealership and the car would turn over but not start. I just paid $430 to put a cam sensor in and now it seems to be running. I put a new anti theft lock system in around 2011. I see my car is one that is in a recall and I hope they can get this fixed.

- Alabaster, AL, USA

problem #56

Jul 272014

Alero 6-cyl

  • 152,000 miles
I attempted to start my car to head home on an hour drive. It would not start, no cranking of any kind or power to the starter or starter solenoid. Attempted to start the vehicle again about a half hour later as I waited for my ride to arrive and still nothing. All of the lights worked, everything else worked but the car simply would not start. After reading every other complaint and review this issue is concurrent with the theft issue that many other owners have suffered.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #55

Jun 122013

Alero

  • 86,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and the security light illuminated. The vehicle could be restarted and the failure recurred ten times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #54

Feb 042014

Alero

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to turn until after several attempts. The failure recurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Beach Bottom, WV, USA

problem #53

Jul 102014

Alero

  • 177,000 miles
Car would not start in parking lot of a business on Thursday morning. After about an hour it finally started so drove to Cadillac dealership. Was told it's my key and to go home and use my other key. Afraid to be stranded, so did not go anywhere until Sunday. Sunday morning went to and from church fine using the second key, so thought everything was okay. In afternoon, wanted to head out of town, so went to get gas. After filling my car, it would not start again. Tried using both keys, neither would work. Waited for 45-60 minutes, periodically trying, with no luck. Walked home since live nearby. Several hours later, walked to gas station to try my car again. This time it started, so drove home. Not sure what to do at this point. Looked up GMC website and it's saying my car is not on the "recall" list, yet I'm having this problem like everyone else. Also, approximately two months ago, was driving in Chicago. Pulled off the freeway to let my dog go to the bathroom and suddenly found my remote keys would not work and I could not get into my car!!! eventually, I was able to get into the passenger side.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #52

Sep 052013

Alero 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The car initially would not start, googled help left in start position for 10 minutes then started. While driving the car shut off mid traffic, thought it was stolen. Taken to GM dealership put in new passcode key, told it was ok. Left dealership car cut off, taken back, said it was fuel injectors, has all of then changed. Car cut off, read on internet that it was a manufacturing error. Dealership would not reimburse money and car continues to not crank at times and cuts off, think it is stolen. This is a safety hazard and this car should not be sold without warning future drivers. Nearly cost me my life.

- Bruceton, TN, USA

problem #51

Feb 112014

Alero

  • 78,000 miles

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

Car cut off while driving, would not start, security light flashing, took to shop cost $800 for new fuel pump, then a month later same deal come to find out it: It's the ignition switch having to due with the security, sometimes the car will not start sometimes it cuts off while driving. They need to recall this its very dangerous not to mention the $800 spent for a fuel pump I guess I didn't need. You can reset it. Works only temp. Leave the key in the on position until the security light goes out then go straight to start, most the time this works. It is very dangerous for the car to shut off at 60 mph on the highway which has happen to us.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #50

Feb 102014

Alero

  • 173,988 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero the contact stated that the key could be removed from the ignition while the vehicle was on and in any gear. The failure recurred over a period of two months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who indicated that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 173,988.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #49

Jan 142014

Alero

  • miles
Car does not start at random times. It can take up to 30 mins for the car to reset its self. Vehicle will cut off while driving and then proceed not to start back up. This is very dangerous and needs to be fixed.

- Temple Hills , MD, USA

problem #48

Apr 022012

Alero

  • miles
Attempt to start car and it won't start. Turning the key to the start position and leaving it on for 10 mins. Apparently this allows the computer to reset. Also you can be driving the car and all of a sudden it shuts down total. This is a extreme dangerous and can get some one seriously hurt or killer. We have had the vehicle fixed but it still continues and we can not afford another expense. Vehicles should be recalled.

- Berea, OH, USA

problem #47

Nov 132013

Alero

  • 112,000 miles
The car turns off while I am driving resulting in loss of all electrical and power components. No power brakes or steering. It does this all the time and I've taken it in and they can not find the problem.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #46

Aug 052013

Alero 6-cyl

  • 47,000 miles
While driving turn signal will work intermittently at times causing me to be on the road/ highway and in traffic without a working turn signal. GM will not cover repair under the special policy even though my vehicle is one of the cars covered under the special policy due to my car being 1 year over the 10 year cap. I was never aware of this defect until now.

- St Charles, MO, USA

problem #45

Apr 262006

Alero

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without any warning. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the anti-theft system was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #44

Jul 012013

Alero 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
According to investigation PE 05-055, the issue with the hazard switch for 2002 olds Alero's was going to be updated to a recall (recall 03V327000) but it never was. Since it was never updated to a recall, I never received notification and also GM is refusing to honor replacing the part. Please assist is correcting this issue.

- Mount Wolf, PA, USA

problem #43

Sep 192012

Alero

  • 127,000 miles
While driving down highway, vehicle key switch randomly malfunctions, causing the vehicle to shut off resulting in loss of control. On multiple occasions I have almost been in a crash because the car shut off.

- Masontown, PA, USA

problem #42

Feb 112013

Alero

  • miles
I love my car but the thing is a death trap. It shut off 15 times within a mile of driving in 5 O'clock traffic. It has almost me my life several times. The dash cluster goes out so I have no idea what speed im going or if the car is running hot. GM if you think this isn't a problem it is please recall the car fix it and I will keep it till I need a bigger car.

- Owasso, OK, USA

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