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Research · Compact Cars

2001 Oldsmobile AleroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 371 owner complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. Most complaints involve electrical system (132) and exterior lighting (69). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
371
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.

Exterior lightingReported Aug 28, 2003NHTSA 03V327000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

371 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2000 – Apr 2023
  1. Electrical system132
  2. Exterior lighting69
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic48
  4. Engine and engine cooling47
  5. Visibility34
  6. Fuel system, gasoline27
  7. Suspension18
  8. Steering17
  9. Engine15

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
20
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

132 reports5 crashes3 fires
“The car will shut off while driving/idling. There are no check engine lights. Took it to get the latest recall fixed that had to do with this and they just gave us new keys. It did not remedy the situation! Now we are paying to fix it because it is still shutting off while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11517655

Exterior lighting

69 reports1 crash
“TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENT AND SAFETY FLASHERS INOPERATIVE AT SAME TIME. DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S IN MOTION, STATIONARY, ON CITY STREET, HIGHWAY, ETC., HAPPENS APPROX. 5 MINUTES AFTER BEING USED. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL STATION AND THEY COULDN'T REPAIR IT DUE TO INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AT FIRST. TOOK TO DIFFERENT SERVICE REPAIR AND THEY KNEW IMMEDIATELY OF THE RECALL AND SAID IT NEEDED A 4 WAY FLASHER SWITCH ASSEMBLY, AND TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WHEN I DID, THEY DECLINED IT..!! RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V400000. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP, PROSTROLLO AUTO MALL, MADISON, SD..I HAD THIS PROBLEM...IT CAME WITH THE CAR, SHOULDN'T THIS HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THE SALE..?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2017Exterior lightingODI 10982965

Service brakes, hydraulic

48 reports3 crashes
“SEVERAL FAILURES OF EITHER FRONT BRAKES OR REAR BRAKES REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. FAILURE HAPPENS AFTER LESS THAN 20,000 ON EACH SET OF BRAKES. THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 3 WHEEL HUB REPLACEMENTS ON DRIVER SIDE AS WELL AS 2 WHEEL HUB REPLACEMENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH DRIVERS WINDOW AND PASSENGER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE.... UPDATED 04/11/13 *BF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2013Service brakes, hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, WheelsODI 10506095
All 2001 Alero problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · 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 6, 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
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,800386
Alero
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Alero
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192922$2,900404
  • Alero
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Alero
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Alero
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 4288Vehicle 4257
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

2001 Alero questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems?

Owners filed 371 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (132), exterior lighting (69), service brakes, hydraulic (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026