VehicleVerdict

2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero sits mid-pack among Alero years: 549 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 407, with 5 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 25 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 139 reports (25% of the total).

549

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

25

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Alero years?

Alero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted810 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 810 complaints2001: 549 complaints2002: 406 complaints2003: 294 complaints2004: 175 complaints
Alero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Alero years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System13925%
Lighting7313%
Engine6412%
Brakes6211%
Fuel System417%
Visibility & Wipers367%
Suspension193%
Steering173%
Airbags153%
Tires & Wheels143%
Transmission143%
Body & Structure143%
Speed Control132%
Other132%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)71%
Seat Belts41%
Seats41%

Does the 2001 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.

03V250000OtherJuly 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 units

Defect

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I PLUGGED IN THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS AFTER I LIT MY CIGARETTE THE WIRES BEHIND THE DASH(INSTRUMENT PANEL) BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE WIRE COVERINGS WAS BURNT OFF TO SHOW BARE WIRES SHORTING MY ENTIRE CAR. THE FUSE LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD IN THE FUSE RELAY CENTER THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 2, 2015 · fire

HAZARD SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN TURN SIGNALS ALSO NOT WORKING. PART WAS REPLACED IN 2004 UNDER RECALL ID 34013 BUT REPLACEMENT PART HAS FAILED. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 23, 2013 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2015 · crash

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 18, 2002 · crash

WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION ON 3/5/03 AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I WAS TRAVELING 40-45 MPH SOUTHBOUND ON SCOTTSDALE RD WHEN ANOTHER CAR TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME. THE IMPACT BENT THE IMPACT BARS, MOVED MY COMPRESSOR TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 5, 2004 · crash

2001 Oldsmobile Alero — common questions

Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?

It is close to typical for the Alero: 549 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2001 Alero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (139 complaints), lighting (73 complaints), engine (64 complaints).

Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.