VehicleVerdict

2000 Oldsmobile Alero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 810 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Alero year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 7 Alero years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (172), brakes (163), and electrical system (101), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

810

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

5

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Alero years?

Alero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted810 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 810 complaints2001: 549 complaints2002: 406 complaints2003: 294 complaints2004: 175 complaints
Alero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Alero years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Oldsmobile Alero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting17221%
Brakes16320%
Electrical System10112%
Engine9311%
Visibility & Wipers516%
Fuel System334%
Body & Structure304%
Airbags273%
Transmission253%
Tires & Wheels253%
Steering223%
Speed Control202%
Suspension182%
Other172%
Seats51%
Seat Belts40%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)30%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V400000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

03V327000LightingAugust 28, 2003 · 670,740 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

00V372000TransmissionNovember 13, 2000 · 216 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (RPO M86) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." WHEN A DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR TO REVERSE, A SHIFT INHIBITOR CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE MECHANICALLY IN 4TH GEAR EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATES REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence

IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.

00V140000Body & StructureMay 18, 2000 · 487,400 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS THERE WAS NO INDICATION INSIDE OF VEHICLE THAT THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE IN USE OR NOT. ALSO, THERE NO LIGHTS WERE BLINKING. STOPPED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD AND GOT OUT TO CHECK SIGNAL LIGHTS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, AND NOTHING SHOWED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 5, 2004

WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE THREE TIMES. DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS/REPLACE D FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, AND REAR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS TWICE. PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WITHIN 600 MILES OF LAST REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 1, 2000 · fire

2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO 2.4 2DOOR COUP FAULTY WIRING HARNESS MY CAUSE FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD AND COST OVER 700 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. A WIRE MERGE FOR THE GAUGE CLUSTER FAILS AND DAMAGES THE ENTIRE WIRE CLUSTER. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 23, 2011 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE VENTS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 23, 2012 · fire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR REPLACED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW HAD THE REGULATOR REPLACED, AND THE REAR PASSENGER HAD THE CABLE, MOTOR AND REGULATOR REPLACED. AND NOW THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 4, 2006

2000 Oldsmobile Alero — common questions

Is the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 810 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 7 Alero years. It is one of the Alero years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Alero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (172 complaints), brakes (163 complaints), electrical system (101 complaints).

Does the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Oldsmobile Alero years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Alero years to avoid are 2000, 1999. The cleanest record among Alero years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.