CarModelProblems.com

1999 Oldsmobile Alero Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor — runs 2.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
462Complaints
4Recalls
14Crashes
11Fires
14Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor (9.7% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor45 · 9.7%not available
Electrical System38 · 8.2%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls32 · 6.9%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip29 · 6.3%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc24 · 5.2%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling24 · 5.2%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING24 · 5.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM16 · 3.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE14 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH14 · 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE13 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 462 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body

NHTSA campaign 00V140000 · 2000 · reported 05/18/2000

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

NHTSA campaign 98V320000 · 1998 · reported 12/15/1998

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED WOULD STEEP ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT WORK AS THEY SHOULD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, ROTORS…”NHTSA complaint 878714 — filed 01/22/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES,RESURFACED 1. STILL NOT FIXED,UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AND AWFUL NOISE. ROTORS TOO THIN KEEPWARPING HAVENT HAD CAR BUT…”NHTSA complaint 737614 — filed 12/10/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
“THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION PROBLEMS. *MJS”NHTSA complaint 557946 — filed 11/22/2000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

8720031134920053619200711152009105201122201322112015442017

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero?

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor issues are the most-reported category, cited in 45 of 462 NHTSA complaints (9.7%), followed by electrical system (38), visibility:power window devices and controls (32), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero have?

462 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.