Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 4.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
184Complaints
3Recalls
18Crashes
1Fires
15Injured
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 (42.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 4.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
79 · 42.9%
Recalled
Recall 14V400000
Air Bags
22 · 12%
not available
—
Engine
17 · 9.2%
not available
—
Electrical System:horn
11 · 6%
Recalled
Recall 14V400000
Vehicle Speed Control
10 · 5.4%
Recalled
Recall 04V528000
Steering
10 · 5.4%
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.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS9 · 4.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 · 4.9%
Percentages are the share of the 184 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.
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 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 itPark 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
“THE ODOMETER FADED OUT. CAME BACK ON WHEN I KNOCKED ON THE DASH. THIS WORKED 2 OR 3 TIMES. NOW NO ODOMETER. THE OTHER DASH…”NHTSA complaint 10462853 — filed 06/23/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THIS ALL STARTED ESTIMATED IN APRIL 2010. WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON I KNOW IT WILL NOT START THE NEXT TIME I GET IN…”NHTSA complaint 10425807 — filed 09/16/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK, WENT TO THE DMV TO TAKE A DRIVING TEST AND THE HORN WOULD NOT START. BROUGHT THE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10416347 — filed 07/30/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 79 of 184 NHTSA complaints (42.9%), followed by air bags (22), engine (17), electrical system:horn (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have?
184 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?
Yes — 3 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 2003 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.
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