2003 Oldsmobile Alero Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 9%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, 9% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Today I started my car with my automatic starter then 7 minutes later I hear a horn non stop beeping I lookout my door and my car is smoking and in flames from hood. Investigator tells me it totaled. After they put the fire out I look in car and only one air bag came out.”
NHTSA complaint #10566241, filed 2014-02, 100,900 miles“I was driving on the interstate and the car jumped up ito 6 and 7 rpms in the red got stuck even when pedal was not pressed stayed there I the red for a few seconds with no warning lights finally dropped and started knocking.”
NHTSA complaint #10872877, filed 2016-06, 110,000 miles“1200 miles after j02 recall car runs sluggish going up canyon. Stop car and engine is misfiring. Turn around and coast downhill in neutral until check engine light turns on then stop and park car for several hours. Called dealer and asked what I should do. Coast out of the canyon with the engine off. Turn engine on after several miles and no more problems. Drive home carefully. Next day throws several codes and running sluggish. Several days later codes are gone right before it goes to dealer. They can't diagnose if car has no active codes or symptoms. …”
NHTSA complaint #11233626, filed 2019-07, 74,350 miles“Tried to start car and it would not start, only crank. Started next morning and had it towed to repair shop and it would not start intermittently. Repair shop said to take it home because they could not diagnose or fix. I checked the internet and discovered that this has been an ongoing problem with certain GM vehicles and many people are complaining. There is a way to start it sometimes by waiting ten minutes with key in acc and then turning off and then removing the key and then re starting. This is working but not always. …”
NHTSA complaint #10822967, filed 2016-01, 91,000 miles“My ignition switch does not invoke the engine. It has happened couple of times with my Alero. Last year as per the recall notice GM dealer changed the keys and not the entire ignition module. Have spent over usd 350 in the last three weeks and again today the olds Alero is stop working. The ignition does not seem to turn on.”
NHTSA complaint #10809363, filed 2015-12Related service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
103 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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