Wrench.Pro

2002 Oldsmobile Alero Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition and pressure relief devices. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Intermittent turn signal and hazard light operation.” Oldsmobile closed in 2004, so every one of these is at least two decades old. That flips the maintenance question from mileage to age. Rubber, coolant, and brake fluid time out even on a car that barely gets driven. Models from about 1996 on use GM's Oil Life System and Dex-Cool coolant. Older ones run on fixed intervals and green coolant, and the two must never be mixed. Mechanically most of the lineup is shared GM hardware, so parts stay cheap and easy to find. The 3800 V6 in the Eighty-Eight and Ninety-Eight is one of the most durable engines GM ever built. The 3.1 and 3.4 V6 family has a well-documented lower intake manifold gasket weakness, and the Aurora's V8 needs a shop that knows Northstar-family cooling systems.

Save this car as:

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #14V400000 · Mar 7, 2014

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 number for this recall is 14350.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Campaign #07E021000 · Dec 3, 2007

Issue: 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.

Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Jul 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero.

Reported to NHTSA

Intermittent turn signal and hazard light operation

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

48 NHTSA complaints · 2005-10 → 2016-07

“WHILE DRIVING TURN SIGNAL WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY AT TIMES CAUSING ME TO BE ON THE ROAD/ HIGHWAY AND IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT A WORKING TURN SIGNAL. GM WILL NOT COVER REPAIR UNDER THE SPECIAL POLICY EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE CARS COVERED UNDER THE SPECIAL POLICY DUE TO MY C”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10542964
“THERE IS INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS MATTER BACK IN 2004. I WENT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND HE TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10443910
“TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK. I WOULD HAVE TO HIT THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THEN THE SIGNALS WOULD WORK. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE A NEW HAZARD SWITCH INSTALLED. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10152245

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator and motor failures

VISIBILITY

7 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2008-07

“DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO FAILS TO ROLL UP. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE A "MANY" COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM, IN ADDITION TO THE ELEVEN (11) NHTSA AND SERVICE BULLETINS YOU ALREADY HAVE ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10233295
“OUR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN IT FELL INTO THE DOOR. WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT ONTO THE MOTOR WAS BROKEN, AND WE HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. SO WE REPLACED IT IN AUGUST 2007. IT STARTED GIVING US PROBLEMS AGAIN IN APRI”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10230139
“1. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW START TO SLOW DOWN WHEN BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN, WITHIN WEEKS OF NOTICING THAT THE WINDOW WILL EITHER FALL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR OR GET STUCK ON THE TRACK. HAVE REPLACED EACH WINDOW MOTOR TWICE AND NOW REPLACING THE DRIVERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10189793

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Coolant and oil mixing and intake manifold gasket leaks

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2006-10 → 2009-01

“EXISTENCE OF ENGINE OIL APPEARING IN RADIATOR SYSTEM COOLANT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10222645
“THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY CAR 2002 ALERO WITH 67,500 MILES, COME TO FIND OUT GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND IT IS A COMMON REPLACEMENT, DESIGN FLAW WITH GM VEHICLES EVEN THE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS. IS THERE A R-EMARKET REBATE FOR THIS PR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10256881
“THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO COOLANT BEING MIXED WITH OIL ,CAUSING A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ALL CYLINDERS. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $2,600. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10187361

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature brake wear and ABS wheel speed sensor warnings

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2014-09

“BRAKE COMPLAINT: FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS CONTINUE INCLUDING ABNORMAL ACCELERATED WEAR, BRAKE NOISES AND ROTOR CORROSION. FRONT AND REAR ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, TURNED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE FRONT AND REAR PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES IN LESS THAN 32”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10147845
“THE ABS AND 'TRACK OFF' WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB AND SENSOR. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER 1,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HUB AND SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10192926
“THIS CAR IS A HEADACHE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO KEEP CHANGING THE BRAKES ABOUT EVERY 4 WKS ON ONE SIDE THEN LATER THE OTHER SIDE STARTS TO WEAR DOWN...I HAVE CHANGED MY BRAKES 3 TIME IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS FOR JUST ONE SIDE...IT IS CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY ROTORS. THEY ACT LIKE THEY CAN'T S”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10640191

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passlock security system no-start and stalling

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

42 NHTSA complaints · 2006-05 → 2017-10

“MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES IT TO NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT COMES UP WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS HAVING PARTS REPLACED BEFORE DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH AND REALIZING THAT THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10355623
“THE PASSLOCK 1 ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILS ON MY VEHICLE. CAUSES THE FUEL SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN AND VEHICLE TO EITHER NOT START OR SHUT DOWN. IT HAS DONE THIS WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE, AT STOP SIGNS,LIGHTS AND AS I WAS TURNING WITH IN FRONT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC (LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10378145
“I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSLOCK ENGAGED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN OPERATION THEREBY TELLING THE COMPUTER THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN "STOLEN" AND TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS "PASSLOCK" FAILURE IN GM VEHICLES IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND ONLY THE "DEALERSHIP" IS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10183438

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch failures and recall 14V400000 repair delays

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

24 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2018-05

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD INDEPENDENTLY COME OUT OF THE SWITCH WHILE IN THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10659702
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHILE MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RESTARTED WITHOUT THE KEY BEING TURNED IN THE IGNITION. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638849
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE O”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650947

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain failure causing engine damage

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2008-10

“CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY CUT OFF AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THAT THERE WAS OTHER INTERNAL VALVE AND ENGINE COMPONENT DAMAGE. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10246131
“TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WITH 65,000 MILES IN FEB. 2006. EXPERIENCED A TICKING NOISE DAY BEFORE AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN CHAIN BROKE AND LOST POWER. AUTO REPAIR SERVICE INDICATED IT WILL COST AT LEAST $1500 TO REPLACE CHAIN AND ADDITIONAL PARTS. ALS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10150047
“WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A VERY NICE DAY THE TIMING CHAIN SHEARED OFF WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WARPED ALL OF THE RODS AND HEADS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,363. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10186931

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear window defroster module and connector overheating

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2015-01

“I WAS DRIVING ALONG, I HAD DEFROSTER ON, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER STARTED SMOKING, MELTED THE REAR WINDOW TRIM AND REAR PASSENGER PANEL. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURN OFF ENGINE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT, TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE DEFROSTER MODULE WENT BAD. THE DEFROST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10676131
“A.. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING. REPLACED FUSES, RELAY BUT STILL DID NOT WORK. HAVING DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND OUT THAT A REAR CONNECTOR WILL MELT. LOOKED AT THE REAR CONNECTOR AND IT HAD MELTED. DEALER CHARGES $ 45 FOR A NEW CONNECTOR SO I HOT WIRED IT TO THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10254977
“I HEAR A POP FROM THE BACK AND I THINK SOMEONE HAS JUST LIGHTLY REAR-ENDED ME. I LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, AT APPROXIMATELY THE RIGHT-HAND SHOULDER IS ON FIRE. I PULLED-OVER, TURNED-OFF THE CAR, AND TRIED TO DOWSE THE FLAMES TO NO AVAIL. ALL I COULD DO WA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10437649

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 5,000 mi

On 1996 and later cars, change when the Oil Life System asks and at least once a year. Earlier cars used a fixed 3,000 mile interval. At this age a 5,000 mile ceiling is the safer read, because worn seals and a tired PCV system dirty the oil faster than the computer assumes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall while you are under there. On a low-mileage car of this age, tires usually age out years before the tread wears out.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every service, and ask specifically about the rubber hoses and steel lines. Line corrosion is a common failure on twenty-year-old cars that lived through road salt.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years regardless of mileage. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air, and decades-old fluid is the quiet cause of soft pedals and stuck calipers on cars this old.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Drain and fill every 45,000 miles using Dexron VI. If the fluid has never been changed on a high-mileage car, ask for two or three drain-and-fills spaced out rather than a high-pressure flush.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Platinum or iridium plugs run to 100,000 miles. On the 3800 and 3.4 V6, replace the plug wires and coil boots at the same time. After this many years the insulation is brittle and a failing wire reads like a bad coil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

Replace the belt and the tensioner together once either shows cracking, glazing, or noise. A weak tensioner chews through a new belt in short order.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On most of the lineup this is a five minute job with a screwdriver.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Treat this as a 5 year job, not a mileage job. Cars from about 1996 on use orange Dex-Cool, earlier ones use green. Never mix them. While the system is drained, have the shop look for seepage at the intake manifold and water pump, which is where these engines usually start weeping.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year. Aging body control modules on this era of GM can pull a small current after shutdown, and a strong battery hides that problem until the day it does not.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

154 crashes 1990–2024

How the 154 occupant deaths break down

102

driver deaths

52

passenger deaths

154

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero reflects Oldsmobile's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →