Research · Compact Cars

1999 Oldsmobile AleroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 466 owner complaints for the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (107) and electrical system (86). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
466
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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 year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000

Structure: body

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.

StructureReported May 18, 2000NHTSA 00V140000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

466 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 1999 – Dec 2017
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic107
  2. Electrical system86
  3. Engine and engine cooling83
  4. Visibility54
  5. Suspension45
  6. Exterior lighting43
  7. Power train30
  8. Steering28
  9. Structure27

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Alero model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1999466
2000561
2001371
2002281
2003187
2004109
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

107 reports4 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 32 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. DURING THE FAILURE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO BEGAN TO DISPLAY RANDOM SPEEDS RANGING FROM 0 MPH TO 100 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,213.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2011Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10379803

Electrical system

86 reports3 crashes5 fires
“1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN. HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD OFTEN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHAT WAS MORE DISTURBING, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY POSITION. NUMEROUS TIMES THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2016Electrical systemODI 10913533

Engine and engine cooling

83 reports3 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER INSPECTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CONSOLE COVER WAS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V140000 (STRUCTURE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT ABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES SEVERAL TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2014Engine and engine cooling, StructureODI 10648399
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Alero
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192823$2,700386
Alero
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182620$3,100444
  • Alero
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Alero
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 3953
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Alero questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Oldsmobile Alero problems?

Owners filed 466 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (107), electrical system (86), engine and engine cooling (83). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026