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Oldsmobile AleroModel year report

2000 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

Complaints
557filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 281 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Alero most often write in about brake vibration and repeat brake work at fairly low mileage, and about turn signals and hazard flashers that work only intermittently - many say their vehicle fell outside the hazard-switch recall by VIN. Coolant leaks traced to the intake manifold gasket, occasional no-start or stalling conditions tied to the security/ignition circuit, and interior trim and window faults round out the sample.

  1. Exterior lighting

    Turn signals and hazards work only intermittently

    • 128 complaints (23%)
    • median 63,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (93 state mileage)
    • filed 2001–2016

    Owners describe turn signals and hazard flashers that stop working or work only some of the time, sometimes restored by pressing the hazard button on and off. Several say the dealer told them the vehicle was not covered by the hazard-switch recall because of its VIN, even though the symptoms matched; some replaced the switch themselves or paid for diagnosis and repair. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 105,000 miles, at no particular age or season.

    Recall 03V327000

    What to check: With the engine off, cycle the turn signals and four-way flashers several times and watch for dropouts or dead spots. Ask whether the hazard switch has been replaced and whether recall 03V327000 was performed on this VIN.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My turn signals will periodically stop working. When they are not working, pressing the hazard warning light button on and off usually gets them working again. On several occasions I was not able to signal my intent to turn as I could not get the signals to work at all or I couldn't get them working in time.”

    NHTSA complaint #10098710, filed 2004-11, 106,000 miles

    “2000 Oldsmobile Alero - turn signal/hazard lamp failure I have a copy of a recall notice #03v-327 from the NHTSA to GM regarding this condition, however no one at my local dealership nor anyone at the national customer service center knows anything about it or is willing to honor it. I feel it is a dangerous situation that GM - having fullnotice of the risk involved - needs to act on before more consumers experience this as I have.”

    NHTSA complaint #10043873, filed 2003-10, 45,900 miles
  2. Electrical system

    No-start or stalling with security light on

    • 39 complaints (7%)
    • median 81,495 mi at 10.9 yrs old (32 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2019

    Owners report the security or anti-theft light coming on and the car refusing to start, sometimes starting again after a wait of several minutes. Others describe stalling while driving or after warming up, and repairs range from ignition switch and key cylinder replacement to ignition control module and fuse changes, with some saying the problem returned. Some reference a later ignition switch recall that their VIN was not included in. Spread widely, from very low mileage up past 130,000 miles; several describe it as random or intermittent.

    Recall 14V400000

    What to check: Start the car several times cold and warm and watch the security light. Ask whether the ignition switch or key cylinder has been replaced and whether recall 14V400000 applies to this VIN.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a 2000 Alero and it fails to start every once in a while. The problem seems to be coming from the ignition fuse but even after changing the fuse it would still not start. I as well as my mechanic are baffled. The latest was last weekend but it has happened about 6 times. The weather has nothing to do with it as well as the amount of driving done or not done. It seems to be a random occurrence.”

    NHTSA complaint #10041713, filed 2003-10, 70,000 miles

    “I own this car for 3 weeks already and it starts turn it off while driving I change some sensor already but I read about the ignition switch, and I think that's the problem with the car, I don't have any photo because everything looks ok from the outside of the switch, but the inside idk”

    NHTSA complaint #11287031, filed 2019-12, 8 miles
  3. Engine cooling

    Coolant leak from intake manifold gasket

    • 45 complaints (8%)
    • median 51,473 mi at 4.6 yrs old (34 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 14 quotes)
    • filed 2001–2012

    Owners describe coolant loss with no obvious source, coolant drops or puddles under the car, and a low-coolant light; dealers and independent mechanics identified a leaking intake manifold gasket. Repair estimates in the complaints run from several hundred to over eight hundred dollars, and some owners mention coolant mixing with engine oil. One later complaint describes overheating and a blown head gasket after repeated coolant loss. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 80,000 miles, with a few at much higher mileage.

    What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or staining around the intake manifold and under the front of the engine. Ask whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced, and look at the oil for a milky appearance.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero with 55,000 miles on it that is leaking coolant. I have brought it to 2 different auto locations, one a dealer snd the other a mechanic whom I trust. Both places agreed that the intake manifold gasket has worn out. I am now in the process of getting the gasket replaced which will cost me $600.00, not including the towing charges and diagnostic expenditures that I have gone through. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10039511, filed 2003-09, 55,060 miles

    “My Alero's (2000 3.4 v6 60,000 miles) coolant light came on. I checked the coolant and added what was needed. A couple of days later I noticed a pool of coolant on my driveway. It turned out to be the lower intake manifold gasket - aparently a common porblem and design flaw by GM in a number of their vehicles. I have not fixed the problem as of yet because of the cost involved and I am not currently driving the vehicle until I can get it fixed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10114674, filed 2005-03, 60,000 miles
  4. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Dashboard trim and window faults

    • 34 complaints (6%)
    • median 61,500 mi at 5.5 yrs old (22 state mileage)
    • filed 2002–2009

    Owners describe the vinyl dashboard covering lifting and rippling along its front edge, in some cases spreading into a visible peel. Others report power windows that stop going up or down and were diagnosed as a failed window regulator motor, and windshield wipers that skip or grind on the intermittent setting. Reported from about 15,000 to 90,000 miles, with the dash peeling often noted after sun exposure.

    What to check: Run every power window fully up and down and try each wiper speed, including intermittent. Look along the front edge of the dash for lifting or waviness in the vinyl.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Dt: contact states the driver's side and passenger's side windows will not go up or down. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. Where they found the window regulator motor is out on this vehicles window. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The repairs will be at owner's cost.”

    NHTSA complaint #10142797, filed 2005-11, 63,000 miles

    “Vinyl dashboard covering began to peel up at front edge, presumably becoming unglued in the sun. After a year, there is a lot of rippling in the trim and the length of the peel is about 12 inches. I observed the same condition on another Alero in a parking lot.”

    NHTSA complaint #10169736, filed 2006-10, 55,000 miles

Buying note. This is an older model year, so condition and records matter more than anything in the complaint history: verify the intake manifold gasket, front brakes, and turn-signal switch, and check by VIN whether the hazard-switch and ignition-switch recalls were done on the specific car.

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.

NHTSA recorded 557 consumer complaints for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. 281 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 20 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 20 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 228 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (18), Suspension (17), Tires (17), Other or unknown (13), Equipment (9), Wheels (8), Engine (7), Electronic stability control (5), Interior lighting (4), Seat belts (4), Seats (4), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “While driving in icy conditions, I momentarily lost traction. The power to the engine immediately shut off, causing me to lose power steering and brakes. My car spun about three times, and I finally came to a stop facing traffic. Thankfully, the road was empty, so I was not injured. I am especially worried because my car is part of gms recall, but is not eligible for a new ignition cylinder. Gm claims that a new key will fix my problem, but there was nothing on my key at the time of the incident, so I know this is a lie. …”

NHTSA complaint #10692437, filed 2015-03, 152,777 miles

Exterior lighting: “The turn signals work part time, some times they do, and other times they won't work at all, I've check for recalls on this problem with the blinkers but my VIN number is not listed on the recall list for 2000 old's Alero but other are. On the street.”

NHTSA complaint #10870171, filed 2016-05, 60,000 miles

Electrical system: “Takata recall, followup and concern. Today is I want to greet every one a happy 4 of july. Celebrating that we want people of united states are safe and no one get injured due company and manufacturer branch of services neglecting to do the order of NHTSA recall and some owners complained about the vehicle problem that treaths to the safetiness and lives of others. …”

NHTSA complaint #11002985, filed 2017-07, 15 miles

Engine cooling: “I join the ranks of sorry from GM, I really can't believe that GM can get away with the junk they now produce, I know they test these vehicles way in advance,and should of known of the faulty head gasket the Oldsmobile Alero is in my opinion the junk. When will GM be held accountable for the junk they produce, my complaints have gone unanswered for years oh well should of bought a toyota! Shame on you GM.”

NHTSA complaint #10278346, filed 2009-07, 98,549 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 281 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,000 and 100,000 miles.

4%0–105%10–2520%25–5031%50–7514%75–10017%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (281 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’01’04115’07’10’13’16’19
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Alero · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2000 Oldsmobile Alero version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Alero FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192823$2,900
Alero FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192823$2,900
Alero FWD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172921$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 228 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 228 bulletins →

Other model years of the Oldsmobile Alero

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200410992,7811—25Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200318480,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200227974,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200136464,8254—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200055765,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199946263,5803—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Oldsmobile Alero model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero?

Owners of the 2000 Alero most often write in about brake vibration and repeat brake work at fairly low mileage, and about turn signals and hazard flashers that work only intermittently - many say their vehicle fell outside the hazard-switch recall by VIN. The issues reported most often: Turn signals and hazards work only intermittently; No-start or stalling with security light on; Coolant leak from intake manifold gasket.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero have?

NHTSA recorded 557 consumer complaints for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 136 complaints (24% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 131.

Has the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero (Alero, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero reported?

Among the 281 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 47,000 and 100,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.