1999 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant and intake-manifold gasket leaks, power-window regulator failures, and turn-signal/hazard switch faults, with brake work also frequently mentioned. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to well past 150,000, and many describe gradual symptoms — a low-coolant light, intermittent signals, a window that drops — rather than a single sudden failure.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks from intake manifold / head gasket

   • 53 complaints (11%)
   • median 62,898 mi at 5.3 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $725 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2009

   Complaints describe the low-coolant light coming on, overheating, and coolant disappearing with no obvious external leak. Several owners say a shop told them the intake manifold or head gasket was leaking coolant into the engine or mixing it with the oil, and some report the engine was replaced afterward. A few mention the dealer or manufacturer declining assistance once the vehicle was out of warranty. Reported from roughly 12,000 to 170,000 miles, with many cases in the 40,000-75,000 mile range.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and condition, look for a milky or coffee-colored tint in the oil, and ask whether the intake manifold gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The coolant light came on - then the car died & overheated...apparently coolant was leaking into the engine because a gasket failed...now the engine must be replaced at 70,000 miles. Starting at 3,000 miles, the check engine soon light came on & it has been in and out of dealerships ever since!!! Gm hasn't done a thing to help me! I just spent $1,300 to get the gasket replaced in the intake manifold & now they tell me the engine needs to be replaced!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10043361, filed 2003-10, 72,000 miles

   “1999 Alero 3400 sfi engine w/39186 miles. Low coolant light comes on. Pontiac delaership says lower intake gasket leaking. Orange antifreeze dexcool getting into engine oil. Oil looks like coffee w/creamer. Car not driven since 12/02/2002 due to olds dealer closing doors after 36 years and unable to get them to honor the extended warranty I purchased thru them. Bbb and state atty general's off ice of no to help to locate/have them honor warranty. Pretty much they ran off w/my $.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005548, filed 2003-02, 39,151 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals and hazard switch work intermittently

   • 40 complaints (9%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2013

   Complaints describe turn signals and hazard flashers that stop working intermittently, sometimes with a clicking or popping sound, and behavior that changes with temperature or with the heater or A/C running. Owners say the hazard switch or turn signal switch unit was replaced, and several note that a recall covering similar switches on other model years did not include their car. Brake lights going out along with the signals is also reported. Mostly reported between about 22,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: With the engine off, test the hazard switch, both turn signals, and the brake lights; ask whether the hazard or turn-signal switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. I had the exact same issue with the exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights:switch described in NHTSA campaign id number :03v327000 for 2000 model year vehicles. I had to pay to replace it my self. Is there a recall on the 1999 model year? If not why not?”

   NHTSA complaint #10066453, filed 2004-04, 40,000 miles

   “I'm experiencing the same problem that is described in NHTSA campaign # 03v327000. Specifically, my vehicle's hazard-light switches malfunction when there is a temperature change in the vehicle causing my turn signals to work intermittently or not at all. I contacted Oldsmobile customer service and was told that because I have a 1999 Alero, that model year was not included and therefore, they would offer no assistance with the repair. This problem frequently puts me in hazardous situations due to turn signals not working at times.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051065, filed 2003-12, 102,350 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power window regulator failure (window drops)

   • 56 complaints (12%)
   • median 63,360 mi at 6.2 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $508 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2010

   Owners describe windows that fall down and stay down, often with a clunk, while being rolled up or down; several report multiple windows failing and the plastic clips or regulator assembly being the parts replaced. Glass scratched by the window mechanism is also mentioned. Dealer quotes per window are described as high, and some owners had only one of several failed windows repaired. Reported from under 10,000 miles to about 150,000 miles, with several cases between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Cycle every window fully up and down and listen for clunks; ask whether any regulators or window motors have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought my car with 14 miles on it. In the first year, I had to have the molding on the doors replaced because they leaked. The drivers side window fell into the door. I've been told that it is my regulator that needs to be replaced. I also found a broken clip just sitting inside my door. You can't buy just a regulator or clips so I will need to buy those parts plus the motor which will cost at least $280. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10018509, filed 2003-05, 12,000 miles

   “Driver's side window motor has been replaced three times in the last 4 years. Rear driver's side window motor has also been replaced in the last year. Amazing how this keeps happening over and over again. Also, my horn has gone off in the middle of the night several times without anything setting it off. There is no way to turn it off once it goes. Each time it was 3 or 4 in the morning and each time I had to drive to a remote location just to disconnect the horn. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10159280, filed 2006-06, 75,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Key and ignition switch problems

   • 52 complaints (11%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.4 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2016

   Complaints describe keys that will not turn the ignition or that can be removed while the engine still runs, along with intermittent security lights and starting delays. Several owners say an ignition recall repair was performed but problems continued, and others report waiting for parts. One complaint relates to new keys supplied during the recall not operating the ignition. Mostly reported above 75,000 miles, including several cases past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 14V4000004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall has been completed and confirm the keys supplied work smoothly in the lock; check that the security light behaves normally on start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Check engine light came on and security light started to blink when we got back from a trip. We took it in and the diagnostic check revealed that the knock sensor was bad. So that was replaced. (code 00327). But now the light still keeps coming on for the same code even though it's already been fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10090795, filed 2004-09, 60,400 miles

   “This complaint is similar to complaint numbers 563702, 712756, 724936. Late last year, I had to have the key lock cylinder and security chip in the ignition/key system replaced to the tune of several hundred dollars (problem with fidelity warranty service) and now the key cylinder which was reported to have been replaced was apparently not replaced. Now I can't start my car with the key. The key will not turn, like putting your car key in another car. It wouldn't turn the lock. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10008515, filed 2003-03, 72,000 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Broken front coil springs

   • 26 complaints (6%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2017

   Owners report front coil springs breaking, sometimes while driving, in a few cases with the broken end puncturing a tire. Complaints describe a loud bang followed by a flat or a loss of control, and some note the spring did not appear rusted. Repairs typically involved replacing the spring and often the struts and mounts as well. Reported from about 40,000 to 116,000 miles, in several cases around 60,000-90,000 miles.

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front springs and struts for cracks or broken coils, and check for uneven tire wear or a recent unexplained tire failure.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my car less than one mile from my home. I made a left turn at a light, and upon completion of the turn, I heard a loud bang and my right front passenger tire was on it's rim. Thinking that I hit something, I immediately pulled over. The road was clear. When I jacked up my car and attempted to remove the tire to put on the spare, I realized that the front suspension spring had broken and the jagged edge of the spring had pierced my tire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082391, filed 2004-07, 89,000 miles

   “1999 Alero parked in garage with 110000 mile on it. I live in nd . Bake up and front left tire blowout coil spring had busted I looked at I did not see any rust”

   NHTSA complaint #10321889, filed 2010-03, 116,171 miles

Buying note. These complaints center on coolant leaks, window regulators, lighting switches and front springs, so an inspection that covers the cooling system, every window, all exterior lights and the front suspension is worthwhile. Asking for repair records on the intake gaskets, window regulators and any ignition recall work will show how much of this has already been addressed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.