CarModelProblems.com

2001 Oldsmobile Alero Problems & Recalls

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

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
364Complaints
5Recalls
20Crashes
5Fires
18Injured
1Deaths

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 — Electrical System (24.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System89 · 24.5%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Exterior Lighting20 · 5.5%RecalledRecall 03V327000
Engine And Engine Cooling17 · 4.7%not available
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch17 · 4.7%RecalledRecall 03V327000
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal16 · 4.4%RecalledRecall 03V327000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor15 · 4.1%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 COOLING17 · 4.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH17 · 4.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL16 · 4.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR15 · 4.1%
ENGINE15 · 4.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE14 · 3.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE13 · 3.6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP12 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 364 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 — 5 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

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 00V372000 · 2000 · reported 11/13/2000

IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD. 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

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 03V327000 · 2003 · reported 08/28/2003

WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

NHTSA campaign 03V250000 · 2003 · reported 07/15/2003

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. 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

“CONSUMER HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING; ROAD HAZARD LIGHT SHORTED OUT WHICH CAUSED ALL DASHBOARD…”NHTSA complaint 10042019 — filed 09/30/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT START ON FIRST ATTEMPT, ESPECIALLY AFTER CAR IS WARMED UP. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE THERE IS NO…”NHTSA complaint 10019050 — filed 05/21/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“IN FEB. 2003 I HAD SURGERY AND DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN I FINALLY DROVE MY CAR, MY DRIVERS SIDE…”NHTSA complaint 10014392 — filed 04/15/2003 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Complaint trend by year filed

17200913112011111720134726201510102017232019152021122023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 89 of 364 NHTSA complaints (24.5%), followed by exterior lighting (20), engine and engine cooling (17), exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have?

364 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?

Yes — 5 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 2001 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.