NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2003 Oldsmobile Alero (Page 3 of 4)

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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
56,751 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.

2003 Oldsmobile Alero electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #39

Jul 162013

Alero 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles

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

For the past year or so, it's been difficult to get the vehicle started and out of park. I first went to the GM website when the June 2014 recall for 2003my Alero started and it said the vehicle was not recalled. I read a subsequent story that the GM website recalls.GM.com wasn't accurately displaying recalls where no parts are available. Went to the site after the repairs this past weekend and it said my car was recalled. After calling the support number and having them look up the VIN, they didn't see my car was recalled in their system although the call center tech stated the problem sounds similar to existing issues. He provided a GM sr # and requested my local dealership to follow up, but it would be considered a diagnosis outside of recall. Unsure based on differing reports from GM on the vehicle being safe or not.

- Glen Carbon, IL, USA

problem #38

Jun 132014

Alero

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Oradell, NJ, USA

problem #37

Jun 102013

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,740 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the vehicle was extremely difficult to steer and upon making a turn, the vehicle stalled multiple times. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the electrical ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,740. The VIN was not available...updated 08/11/14

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #36

Feb 052012

Alero

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred. The computer system was programmed by an independent mechanic to no avail. The contact was unable to start the vehicle after the vehicle was repaired. The instrument panel was not working. The vehicle was scheduled to be inspected and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Rantoul, IL, USA

problem #35

Jan 222003

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero would shut down at times during left turns under 35 mph. Kept a log on these events updated 3/28/14 the ignition switch was replaced.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #34

Aug 142013

Alero

  • miles
I believe my car should be in the GM recall. When staring the car at times there is a delay with dash board lights coming on. Also windows not working, radio, and sensor lights. I was told by tech it may be an ignition problem but when it was on the computer said something different. My airbag light keep coming on then he said it was an electrical problem in which he would need to break my steering column that I would have to pay for. The car only has 152000 miles.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #33

Feb 272014

Alero 4-cyl

  • 100,900 miles

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

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. After they put the fire out I look in car and only one air bag came out.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #32

Oct 042012

Alero 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
The blinkers stopped working, but realized there was a short with the hazard lights as soon as I would push the hazard lights in a little the blinkers would start working. Recently pushing the hazard lights does not make the blinker blink, nor does it cause the hazard lights to work anymore. Was told by mechanic this is a common problem with the 2003 Alero.

- Crookston, MN, USA

problem #31

Jul 282012

Alero 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Consumer writes in regards to security light flashing the consumer stated the security system started flashing for no reason. The vehicle would not start and it had to be towed. The dealer replaced the passlock sensor and connector. Updated 12/03/12. Updated 04/03/14 updated 12/03/14.

- Girard, OH, USA

problem #30

Jun 012012

Alero

  • 160,000 miles
The odometer faded out. Came back on when I knocked on the dash. This worked 2 or 3 times. Now no odometer. The other dash lights are working fine. Just the odometer.

- Salt Springs, FL, USA

problem #29

Sep 032004

Alero

  • miles

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

This all started estimated in April 2010. When the security light comes on I know it will not start the next time I get in it. It could not start once or 3 times. It very scary sitting in my car with the key turned on for 10 minutes. Then I can turn it off and turn back on and it will start. I have had it looked at and he put a new fuel pump on it, then it did it again and the next time he firxed it by reseting the computer but it did last. I talked to other people and they say they have the same problem. The way I found out how to fix was I called a tow truck and he told me what to do. Have you had any compaints like this?

- Wagoner, OK, USA

problem #28

Jul 252011

Alero

  • miles
I recently purchased this vehicle. Last week, went to the dmv to take a driving test and the horn would not start. Brought the car back home, checked the fuse box. The horn fuse had been taken out of the car. Put a new fuse in and the horn would not stop. I must also include that due to this failure, my keyless car entry/lock will not beep. Also, I assume that my car alarm will not work because of this issue. Brought car to the mechanic, apparently in order to fix this problem, the airbag must be removed, costing approximately $1800 to repair. Obviously, I am not willing to pay this price and now will have to figure out a makeshift horn option. This is an extremely important issue that many people have had with this vehicle.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #27

Apr 092003

Alero 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero passlock security system cause my car not to start, I have to reset which takes over 10 minutes, and praying it will start after that. But at times the battery went dead before the security light quit flashing as alot longer then 10 minutes have a new battery in the car. 4-09-2011 was in a parking lot was the 6th time this happen. Then on 4-11-2011 when going to take mom for doctors appointment. Again next day after a funeral would not start again. On 4-13-2011 took to car dealer and they had to put in a new ignition switch which costs me $575. I believe this should have been recalled as so many others having the same problem. This may end me buying another Oldsmobile or Chevy I was getting so afraid to even drive it any more and be stranded somewhere, have not been taking my great grandkids in the car as the are ages 5 and under. Why is there not a recall with so many others having this same problem.

- Austin, MN, USA

problem #26

Jan 312011

Alero 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Consumer states vehicle stalled twice on the road while trying to make left turn. The consumer stated the second time the vehicle stalled, the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle would not restart. The dealer was unable to diagnose the problem on both occasions. Updated 04/15/11

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #25

Jan 102009

Alero

  • 84,527 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the security system caused the vehicle to stall repeatedly without warning. The contact stated that the failure would occur sporadically and oftentimes, the vehicle would restart immediately and other times it would not. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the fuse box yet the failure recurred within the week. The fuel pump was then replaced and the failure did not recur. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 84,527.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #24

Feb 222010

Alero 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero ---- turn signals are intermittent. Turn signals quit working and fail to warn other drivers of intentions to turn causing unsafe driving conditions. Near miss accidents have occurred as a result of turn signal failures.

- Clinton, UT, USA

problem #23

Feb 182011

Alero

  • miles
This is the 3rd time I have had this problem the security lights is flashing, car will not start. So go and turn key to on position wait 10 minutes but today it was 20 minutes until lights stop flashing then turn key to off position before trying to start. Today it would not start at all. So I am without transportation until I can get help.

- Austin, MN, USA

problem #22

Apr 152009

Alero

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle but it did not respond. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop but the contact was unsure of what the mechanic did to remedy the problem. The contact also stated that the horn blew daily between 2am and 3am for no particular reason. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000 and the current mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #21

Aug 282010

Alero

  • 115,383 miles
I was driving down the road when the security light came on and stayed on. About one minute later, the car died while I was driving approx. 50 mph. Thank goodness there was no traffic and I was able to pull over off the road. The car did start back up this time. The passlock system has engaged before and we have followed the suggestions we found online and gotten it to start back up...I just don't think I should have to follow some sort of ritual to get my car to start; not to mention, the safety issue of having a car die in while going down the road at 50 mph.

- Brenham, TX, USA

problem #20

Dec 102007

Alero

  • 60,000 miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Horn went off continually at approx. 330 H. and failed to stop until it eventually died at 400 H. now I am left without a horn, because I will not pay $800 to resolve the issues of GM's faulty manufacturing that causes the switches to contract and contact some stupid wire. Dear GM, I love the Japanese ;)

- Port Colborne, 00, USA

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