Oldsmobile / Alero / 1999
1999 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Owners have filed 702 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 17.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 13.5%.
Complaints702
Crashes20
Fires12
Injuries18
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 17.9% · 126
Electrical system 13.5% · 95
Engine and engine cooling 12.7% · 89
Visibility 8.4% · 59
Exterior lighting 7.8% · 55
Suspension 7.0% · 49
Power train 4.8% · 34
Steering 4.6% · 32
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 12 describe a fire, 18 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Oldsmobile Alero in this data, 1999 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2000 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 19 in the last three years against 26 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 63,580 miles.
In owners' own words
The car has worn out two set of brake pads in 30000 miles, two set of rotors, and one set of callipers. I called the dealer about the problem and was told that it would not be any need to bring the car to them that there was no way that they could check out the brakes. They could not tell me what the problem is even if they checked the car so there was no need for me to bring the car to them. Service brakes, hydraulic
The car's brake rotors warp every 1500 miles resulting in a loss of braking. The rotors have been machined and/or replaced on 3 occasions but the problem reoccurs. When braking with the warped rotors, the abs wheel speed sensors hit the "bad" spot on the rotors and assume a lock-up is emminent. The abs system then releases pressure on the brakes and braking distance exceeds safe levels. Service brakes, hydraulic
Brakes pulsate during light braking. Car shakes badly. Warping sound can be louldly heard from front of vehicle in any wet conditions. Tires on vehicle are brand new. Car has been very well maintained. Brakes were replaced once for same issue in june 01. Corrected problem for short period of time. Problem has arisen again. Dealership unable to diagnose/fails to recognize a problem. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…