CarModelProblems.com

2002 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 3.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
278Complaints
2Recalls
11Crashes
8Fires
9Injured
0Deaths

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 (36.3% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 3.7× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System101 · 36.3%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Exterior Lighting30 · 10.8%not available
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal23 · 8.3%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling13 · 4.7%not available
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch12 · 4.3%not available
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch12 · 4.3%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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101 · 36.3%
Unspecified / other13 · 4.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13 · 4.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH12 · 4.3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH12 · 4.3%
ENGINE12 · 4.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH11 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9 · 3.2%

Percentages are the share of the 278 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 — 2 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

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

“INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNALS DASH AND TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN AUTO LIGHTS TRY TO TURN ON.”NHTSA complaint 10174438 — filed 11/27/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“BLINKERS FAIL ESPECIALLY DURING HUMID WEATHER. IT BEGAN DURING THE SUMMER. BLINKERS SOMETIMES WORK, BUT THEN WILL FAIL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET…”NHTSA complaint 10144636 — filed 12/07/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK WHEN TURNING IT ON. WHEN APPLYING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH…”NHTSA complaint 10138913 — filed 10/06/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Complaint trend by year filed

24200735282009161120111712201358252015372017552019362022

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 101 of 278 NHTSA complaints (36.3%), followed by exterior lighting (30), exterior lighting:turn signal (23), unspecified/other issues (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have?

278 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?

Yes — 2 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 2002 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.