Problems · by component

2001 Oldsmobile Alero electrical system problems

132 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero cite electrical system, 36% of all 371 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
132
36% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The consumer stated the vehicle was junked 3 or 4 yrs ago because of the computer going out on the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2022Electrical systemODI 11475958
“FOR SOME TIME THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD MORE TROUBLE WITH THEM IF IT WAS VERY HOT AND HUMID OUTSIDE. THEN, THE TURN SIGNALS TRIGGERED THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO COME ON. THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOW INOPERABLE. SOMETIMES THE HAZARD LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND I AM UNABLE TO TURN THEM OFF.THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE TURN SIGNALS ARE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE NOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2020Electrical systemODI 11342676
“AIR COMING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DO A TURNAROUND OR BACK AROUND IN A SLOW POSITION FROM A START POSISTION. SO IM NOT GETTING MY GAS MILEAGES WORTH NOR CAN I DO A UTURN IN A FAST ACCELERATION. IT WILL GET SLOWER THATS DANGEROUS IF UPCOMING TRAFFIC STARTS TO PROCEED MAKING IT LIABLE FOR AN ACCIDENT. IM SCARED FOR MY LIFE. IM IN CALIFORNIA IN LOS ANGELES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11180134
“2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COIL RECALL NOTICE STATES SAME PROBLEM AS CONSUMER BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPY PATCH IN THE ROAD THE IGNITION WAS INADVERTENTLY SWITCHED OUT OF THE "RUN" POSITION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2018Electrical systemODI 11021949
“JUST GOT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER AND THERE IS A GAS LEAK ALSO THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR ON ACCELERATION I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN AND WIGGLE IT TO GET IT OFF AND THERE'S A O-RING SENSOR LEAK CAN'T PASS THE ECHECK. I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE AUGUST AND THE ESTIMATE TO GET THE CAR FIXED TO PASS THE CHECK IS OVER THE AMOUNT FOR THE CAR AND I AM STILL PAYING A NOTE WHEN THE CAR IS STATION IS LEAKING GAS WHEN IT IS MOTION IT BARELY LEAKS WHEN I PARK IT, IT POURS OUT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 28, 2017Electrical system, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11048846

Showing 6 of 132 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 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 6, 2026

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