VehicleVerdict

2004 Oldsmobile Alero problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2004 Oldsmobile Alero is among the quieter years of the Alero on NHTSA's books: 175 complaints (57% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 61 reports (35% of the total).

175

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Alero years?

Alero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted810 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 810 complaints2001: 549 complaints2002: 406 complaints2003: 294 complaints2004: 175 complaints
Alero NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Alero years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Oldsmobile Alero problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6135%
Lighting2414%
Engine1710%
Airbags137%
Brakes116%
Fuel System74%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Other63%
Suspension63%
Transmission63%
Steering53%
Body & Structure53%
Speed Control32%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH THE KEY, THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 23, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 9, 2011

“Airbag no deployment Loss of power steering Brakes to floor Car died Recall ignored prior and still today after set up now off their schedule Friendly Chevrolet rich Gardner ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 3, 2022 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET A CAR RAN A STOP SIGN CAUSING A T-BONE COLLISION. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED BECAUSE OF MY AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING I HIT MY HEAD ON THE FRONT WINDOW PANE. IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED I WOULD HAVE NEVER HIT THE FRONT WINDOW CAUSING MY TWO HEAD CONTUSIONS, SPRAINED NECK, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 13, 2013 · crash

“MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. HE HAD NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING CAUSING HIM TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY AND CRASH INTO A FENCE. THE CRASH DIDN'T DEPLOY THE AIRBAG, BUT CAUSED SEVER DAMAGE TO THE CAR, RESULTING IN IT BEING TOTALED. IT WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD WHERE IT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 19, 2014 · crash

2004 Oldsmobile Alero — common questions

Is the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 175 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Alero year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2004 Alero problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (61 complaints), lighting (24 complaints), engine (17 complaints).

Does the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.