2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
294
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
24
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
The 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO has received a total of 294 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 24 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (79 complaints), Air Bags (22 complaints), and Engine (17 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, potentially affecting up to 5,971,323 vehicles.
Recall 14V400000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 5,877,718 vehicles affected
Defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's...
View full details →Recall 07E021000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
| 742 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
View full details →Recall 04V528000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
| 92,863 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
294 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and crossing an intersection, a speeding police vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the front driver's side wheel was bent. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact hit her chest against the steering wheel. Additionally, the left side of the contact' body hit the driver's side window. The contact was knocked unconscious for approximately 30 minutes. The police officers removed the driver's side door and assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where she spent one night. The contact was then transported to another hospital where she spent two weeks. The contact sustained severe head, collarbone, neck, and back pain. Additionally, the contact sustained chest pain bruises, and a broken left foot. The contact was then sent to a rehabilitation center where she spent one week. The contact was then transported to her residence by emergency units. The contact stated that she had not been able to work properly and she had been depressed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone
Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone
Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone
1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CALLED DEALER AND ASKED WHAT I SHOULD DO. COAST OUT OF THE CANYON WITH THE ENGINE OFF. TURN ENGINE ON AFTER SEVERAL MILES AND NO MORE PROBLEMS. DRIVE HOME CAREFULLY. NEXT DAY THROWS SEVERAL CODES AND RUNNING SLUGGISH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CODES ARE GONE RIGHT BEFORE IT GOES TO DEALER. THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE IF CAR HAS NO ACTIVE CODES OR SYMPTOMS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER TURN CAR ON AND CAR IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND AND HAS SEVERAL PENDING CODES. CAREFULLY DRIVE HOME. CODES DIDN'T SAVE. FINALLY ABLE TO TAKE TO DEALER AROUND JUNE 25TH WHILE CAR IS MAKING THE KNOCKING NOISE BUT NO CODES AND THEY THINK IT'S A LIFTER BUT NOT SURE. I LEFT THE CAR AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. LITERALLY THE SAME DAY I PICK THE CAR UP IT IS KNOCKING AND CONSISTENTLY DOES SO FOR THE NEXT WEEK AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WARMS UP. JULY 5 ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BEING HIT BY A HAMMER AND THROWS P0011 CAM TIMING ADVANCED. OIL PRESSURE IS 5PSI AT IDLE AND 40PSI AT 5000RPM. HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER BECAUSE IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T MAKE THE DRIVE AND THEY SAY IT IS PISTON SLAP WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE ENGINE THEY DETERMINE IT IS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH THE TIMING COVER, OIL PAN AND ONE VALVE COVER OFF AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEM TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE AFTER THE RECALL. I'M GOING TO TRY TO GET THE DEALER TO ACTUALLY TEAR IT DOWN TO DIAGNOSE IT.. CODES THROWN SO FAR ARE P0011 P219A P0301 P000A P0420 KNOCKING SEEMS TO BE WHEN OIL WARMS UP AND OIL PRESSURE DROPS TO ABOUT 30PSI AND BELOW.
Safety Rating for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
General Motors, LLC has issued 24 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
010842001N — EQUIPMENT
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
PIP5352 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an engine crank no start condition. Technician may find no fuel injector pulse and Diagnostic Trouble Code P0645. Technician should inspect fuse in the under hood fuse panel, position #37. If the fuse is found open replace...
PIC3557 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostics for a class 2 communications Diagnostic Trouble Code U1000 may not lead a technician to a final repair. Technician should be advised to disregard the Diagnostic Trouble Code U1000 that may be set current or in history.
070201 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
INCORRECT OUTER BACKING PLATE. OUTER BACKING PLATE HAS SHORT CENTRE PROTUSION. OUTER BACKING PLATE SHOULD HAVE TALL CENTER PROTRUSION. *KB
0804 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LIFE SYSTEM RESET PROCEDURES - CARS. *NM
01262004 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
THIS IS A PRODUCT SERVICE MESSAGE REGARDING THE NEW PART NUMBER FOR THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR FOR CUSTOMER CONCERN OF THE HEATER MOTOR NOT BLOWING ON ONE UP TO ALL SPEEDS. *TT
01556 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE CRANKS BUT DOES NOT RUN. *TT
01477 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4T45E 4T40E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FALSE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1815. *TT
02139 — SUSPENSION:FRONT
SQUEAK OR RUB TYPE NOISE ON TURNS COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AS IF IT IS COMING FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBER OR THE TOP MOUNT. *TT
03064 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPGRADE - OBD SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS. *TT
Showing 10 of 24 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the OLDSMOBILE ALERO
- 1998 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — 2 complaints
- 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — 702 complaints
- 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — 810 complaints
- 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — 549 complaints
- 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — 406 complaints
- 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO (current)
- 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO — 171 complaints
Other OLDSMOBILE Models
- OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS — 2,251 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE — 1,598 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA — 1,346 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE — 1,277 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE 88 — 1,226 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE AURORA — 1,038 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA — 625 total complaints
- OLDSMOBILE 98 — 417 total complaints