1999 Oldsmobile Alero Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 6%of 462 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, 6% of the 462 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Wheel bearing wore out at 52000 miles. Battery terminal post broke off. Brake caliper melted at 51000 miles. Two power steering lines burst at 59000. The cost of the repair for the power steering problem is an estimate I got from a mechanic, but I have not yet repaired. I'm hoping for a recall before I take any action. My complaints are based on the fact that there's no good reason for any of those things to need repair that serious. Aren't wheel bearings and power steering lines supposed to last for a while?”
NHTSA complaint #10068787, filed 2004-01, 51,000 miles“I have had an 99' Oldsmobile Alero for 7 years. It has had almost every problem listed on this website. It has had an over heating problem every year since I got it and I have spent thousands in repairs for the cooling system, fuel pump, poor interior manufacturer, AC/heater blower motor settings failure, fuel gauge failure, transmission leakage, poor springs/struts, gear slipping, hard starting, water leaking in from rain under glove compartment, off alignment (set three times in year), poor gas mileage, overheating or running above normal temperature and sudden overheating without notice…”
NHTSA complaint #10180772, filed 2007-01, 75,000 miles“While driving at any speed consumer heard a squealing sound coming from the steering column. Consumer added power steering fluid, that stopped the noise. Also, consumer heard a clanking sound when right turns were made. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who found that rack and pinion needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10059867, filed 2004-02, 134,000 miles“Power steering pump has been replaced once for grinding noise. It needs to be replaced again for whining noise and loss of power steering. Since Oldsmobile dealership closed their doors after 36 years the extended warranty I purchased through them is not valid and have to pay for it myself. Bbb and state atty general's office were of no help with finding/having delaership honor the warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10005544, filed 2003-02, 39,151 miles“Bad vibration at highway speeds.had wheels aligned,tires balanced, tie rods ,both front axles, both front bearings, front disc brakes(rotors and pads), both front struts replaced. Vibration at times gets bad enough to lose control. None of the above solutions fixed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10036687, filed 2003-08, 65,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V320000Dec 15, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel can come loose from the steering shaft because the steering wheel retaining nut could have been…Covers: Oldsmobile Alero 1999, Pontiac Grand AM 1999
Related service bulletins
- 10020731Sep 1, 2006Revised tilt steering wheel and column fastener tightening specifications.
- 10012577Aug 1, 2003Revised steering wheel position sensor or steering shaft lower bearing replacement procedure and steering wheel position sensor centering procedure.
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
121 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsEngine cooling
85 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsSuspension
46 complaintsExterior lighting
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology