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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Oldsmobile Alero Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
28about this part
Share
10%of 279 total for the year
Median mileage
62,600miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, 10% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,600 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The lower intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced in my car 2002 Alero with 67,500 miles, come to find out GM knows about this and it is a common replacement, design flaw with GM vehicles even the repair shops have knowledge about this. Is there a r-emarket rebate for this problem. It will vcost me about 700 to fix the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10256881, filed 2009-01, 67,547 miles

“I was on my way to work on 3/13/11 driving my 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, and my car started filling up with black smoke. I immediately pulled over and got out of my car, I suddenly saw flames inside of my vehicle . I called the fire department and by the time they put out the fire my car was totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #10395382, filed 2011-04, 122,000 miles

“My service engine light, ABS light and trac light stay on at all times. I have had it serviced with the result being my gas cap was not tight. I feel there is more to this than they say due to knowing 3 other Alero owners with the same problems.”

NHTSA complaint #10058996, filed 2004-02, 27,000 miles

“Friday, 7/15/05, I took my 2002 olds Alero to jeff schmidt in fairborn, oh for service of the passenger side power window not working. While at the dealership, I was informed that my intake manifold was leaking and must be replaced. This was covered under warranty as well as the window. Immediately after leaving the lot, the car smelled like something was burning. I park in the garage at home and did not notice any spills on the floor and assumed it was just overflow where the service tech did the repairs. Thursday, 7/21/05, I parked the car in the garage and the smell was really bad. …”

NHTSA complaint #10129708, filed 2005-07, 39,275 miles

“My car had something go wrong with the intake gaskets to where the plastic melted to the engine, the car had to be taken in for several days and the engine had to be taken out and cleaned and all of the intake gaskets were replaced. The car still does not run properly, when attempting to pick up speed or climb a hill the car does not shift and at times looses speed. This continues to this day, the dealer states nothing is wrong. The gas needle will read full and then the car will run out of gas this has happened on the middle of the highway leaving me stranded and several times around town. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070336, filed 2004-01, 3,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200444%
2003127%
20022810%
20014613%
20008115%
19998518%

Other parts of the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero

Electrical system
133 complaintsExterior lighting
78 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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