2001 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical and lighting troubles, especially turn signals and hazard flashers that work intermittently, and a security (Passlock) system that can leave the car cranking but not starting. Brake noise and premature rotor wear, coolant leaks from intake manifold gaskets, and stalling or no-start conditions tied to the fuel pump also appear repeatedly. Many of these complaints were filed well past 60,000 miles, though some appeared under 30,000.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals and hazard flashers work intermittently

   • 90 complaints (25%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (57 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2020

   Complaints describe turn signals that operate only some of the time, sometimes triggering the hazard lights, and hazard lamps that stay on and cannot be switched off. Some owners report clicking from behind the steering wheel or the dash that continues after the signal is cancelled, and a few mention smoke or a burning odor near the steering column. Several say the dealer declined a second repair under an earlier hazard switch recall, or told them their vehicle was not covered by it. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 130,000 miles, with several complaints noting the problem was worse in hot, humid weather.

   Recall 03V327000

   What to check: Ask whether the hazard switch has been replaced under recall 03V327000 and whether the turn signals have acted up since. Test both signals and hazards through several cycles, and check for a burnt smell around the steering column.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently read of the hazard light/turn signal recall on 2001 Oldsmobile aleros. My vehicle has this defect and is a serious safety concern. I contacted Oldsmobile and was told that my vehicle even though it has this effect is not covered by the recall. If they are doing a recall my vehicle should be covered considering their company has placed the life of my family in danger.”

   NHTSA complaint #10039107, filed 2003-09, 46,000 miles

   “I noticed during the thanksgiving holiday 2014 that my turn signals work when they want to . I was turning right and my mom was riding with me when she noticed that my turn signals was not working left or right. So we made it to our doctors appointment and when we were leaving they working . It's weird because by changing the bulbs the turn signals are still going in and out when they want too. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10678734, filed 2015-01, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake noise, grinding, and early rotor wear

   • 75 complaints (21%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 4.0 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2019

   Complaints frequently describe grinding or squealing when the brake pedal is applied, often shortly after pads or rotors were replaced, and rotors that were resurfaced repeatedly. Some owners report brake, ABS, and traction-control warning lights together, with a wheel bearing or wheel sensor identified as the source; a few mention the pedal feeling as though the car will not stop. Mostly reported between about 8,000 and 100,000 miles, and several owners mention grinding worse in wet conditions.

   What to check: Have the front rotors and pads inspected for scoring and thickness, and check whether the ABS and traction-control lights stay on after start-up. Ask about wheel bearing or wheel sensor replacement history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2001 olds Alero....for two years I have been having trouble with the sensor on my right front tire. The sensor caused my ABS and traction control system to fail. After many attempts to get fixed it seems that my bearing was bad. On the day that I got my car fixed 5 cars between 2 dealers were getting the same problem fixed. They were all GM cars..”

   NHTSA complaint #10226072, filed 2008-04, 72,000 miles

   “Since my purchase of this vehicle in october of 2003, I have been disabled numerous times. Engine just quits. Low trac light comes on and engine shuts down. Vehicle has been to dealership number of times and they say nothing is wrong. I do plenty of thruway driving and now coasting off to the sides. Also brakes grind when it is wet outside.”

   NHTSA complaint #10054475, filed 2004-01, 17,800 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Stalling, rough running, or no-start from fuel system faults

   • 75 complaints (21%)
   • median 93,500 mi at 9.5 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $540 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2018

   Complaints describe the engine stalling while driving or at a stop, hard starting that requires pumping the accelerator, and cars that crank without firing because the fuel pump failed. Some owners had the fuel pump, filter, or pressure regulator replaced; others report that dealers cleaned the injectors or reset the computer without resolving the symptom. Reported from roughly 18,000 to 160,000 miles, without a consistent mileage window.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump or filter has been replaced, and note whether the car starts easily when cold. A service bulletin describes an injector cleaner kit for rough idle and extended crank, so ask whether that service was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hard starting. Vehicle just keeps on cranking but does not start unless you pump accelerator several times. This happens daily,- every time you attempt to start the vehicle. We also have a problem with the hazard warning switch and directional lights,- police flashed me down and gave verbal warning.”

   NHTSA complaint #10205805, filed 2007-10, 62,800 miles

   “When in drive and stopped at a traffic light, the car almost stalls out. On two occasions the car completely stalled and did not start the first time. I took it into the dealership where I bought the car and they tried to sell me the 30,000 miles service pack. I refused to pay over 300 hundred dollars for that. They said they would check the car again and called me back to let me know that it looked like my fuel injectors were a little clogged. So I had the fuel injection cleaning done. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10058404, filed 2004-02, 32,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Security system prevents starting (Passlock)

   • 72 complaints (20%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (51 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $580 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2018

   Owners describe a car that cranks normally but will not start, sometimes with a security light illuminated, and sometimes stalling or shutting off while driving. Several report that a shop traced the problem to the Passlock or Passlock II theft-deterrent system and replaced it; others say dealers could not duplicate the fault or found no codes. Spread broadly, from about 20,000 to 160,000 miles, with no clear pattern in the complaints.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask if the Passlock system or ignition switch has been replaced, and whether the security light has ever come on. Start the car several times cold and warm and confirm it starts every time.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When it first occurred there was a security light in the instrument display that suddenly came on (security) and stayed on as I was driving. The next morning as I tried to start my car it wouldn't start. And I looked in the owners manual and it stated that the ignition light starts to flash after turning the key to the on or run position then the ignition needs to be serviced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10626657, filed 2014-08, 145,230 miles

   “My car will start and not follow through...I can not even begin to tell you how horrible this is...I have two small children that need to get to school and I had to quit my job because my car was not reliable...is there nothing GM could do about this...please I am begging for anything...I do not have money to fix my car and it is sitting in my driveway, just like it has been for the past 6 months...I need help...”

   NHTSA complaint #10189149, filed 2007-04, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss from intake manifold gasket leaks

   • 21 complaints (6%)
   • median 45,583 mi at 4.7 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2002–2019

   Owners report coolant leaking and mixing with engine oil, traced to deteriorated intake manifold gaskets, and some had the gaskets replaced more than once. Complaints also mention a loss of interior heat and low coolant warning. A few describe the same symptom being attributed to a head gasket. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 105,000 miles; one owner reported it at very low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for a milky appearance or coolant smell in the oil; ask whether the intake manifold gaskets have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My girlfriend bought a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero from a dealer with a 30 day warranty. The cars antifreeze mixes with the oil (head gasket) . He never fixed this and dissapeared on us. This was in march 09. I was told that I might be able to contact GM and they might be able to fix this problem. I've read online that this car was recalled because of numerous problems. Please contact me kema, cornell thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10285694, filed 2009-09, 177 miles

   “The coolant in my Alero started leaking and there was no heat in the interior. It was determined that my intake manifold gasket was deteriorated. The part was replaced and was not kept.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112667, filed 2005-03, 105,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the electrical system on this model year — test the turn signals, hazard flashers, and starting behavior repeatedly, and confirm the hazard switch recall was completed. Also check brake condition, coolant level, and fuel pump service history before deciding, since those are the areas owners describe most often.

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.