Oldsmobile / Alero / 2003
2003 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Owners have filed 294 complaints about the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 37.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of air bags at 8.5%.
Complaints294
Crashes27
Fires3
Injuries26
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 37.1% · 109
Air bags 8.5% · 25
Engine 5.8% · 17
Exterior lighting 5.4% · 16
Vehicle speed control 4.8% · 14
Steering 4.4% · 13
Visibility 4.1% · 12
Engine and engine cooling 4.1% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 27 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 26 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Oldsmobile Alero in this data, 2003 draws comparatively few complaints; 2000 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 59 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,791. Electrical system · reported at 2,791 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The repairs were done to the vehicle on three separate occasions. The manufacture was not contacted about this failure. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 98,000. Electrical system · reported at 45,000 miles
I had the car since nov 2003. I haven't had any problems until july 2008 when my car wouldn't start because of the security light flashing. I just sat there in the car until the tow truck came, so I just crank the car up and it crank I was like ok. Then another day it did the same thing and it crank up. Then the third time it did it now it wont crank up. I was wondering what do you do about this situation. Electrical system · reported at 100,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…