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Problems · by component

1999 Oldsmobile Alero electrical system problems

86 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero cite electrical system, 18% of all 466 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

All 1999 Alero problems
Complaints
86
18% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2015Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10733043
“I WANT TO REPORT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1999 OLDS ALERO V6. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW SINCE AUG. 2013. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECASUE MY SECURITY LIGHT COME ON AND MY AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COME ON. SO I HAD IT TESTED AND ITS NOT GETTING ANY ELECTRICAL TO IT TO COME ON. AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENS EVERTIME. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WOULD THEY BE ONE IN NEAR FUTURE.... BECASUE I DONT 300-400 EVERYTIME IT GOES OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2015Electrical systemODI 10732502
“1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2015Electrical systemODI 10715865
“1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY GAVE HER A NEW KEY ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION, WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED FOR FREE. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2015Electrical systemODI 10692449
“1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER RECEIVED REPAIR FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT WAS DONE IN AUGUST 2013. *TA”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2015Electrical systemODI 10667981

Showing 6 of 86 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026

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