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Engine coolingPart report

2004 Oldsmobile Alero Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
4%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
42,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 4% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“My Oldsmobile Alero continues to over heat. Every other day I go to the shop and they keep filling it with coolant. They are baffled because I have replaced almost every part on the engine and it still runs hot. I can't even get out of the parking lot without the temperature gauge going straight to the red zone. I always have to pull over, cut the car off, sit for 2 minutes, then start the car up again. I do not have money to continue to replace parts on this car and still have the same problem. On 7/25, I will not be able to pay my car note. …”

NHTSA complaint #10343878, filed 2010-07, 82,236 miles

“I have a 2004 Alero gls with 43,200 miles on it. At 42,500 the coolant light came on so I checked and the overflow tank was empty. When I went for an oil change they filled it and 2 days later it was empty again. There was no coolant on the ground or in the engine compartment anywhere. I brought it to the dealer who filled it again and 2 days later it was empty. Since this started a loud tapping sound started when the car is cold first thing in the morning and when the car heats up it stops. It doesn't happen again until the next day. …”

NHTSA complaint #10223397, filed 2008-04, 42,500 miles

“Dt: beginning in november 2004 the consumer began to have problems with the electrical system in the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. When the vehicle was purchased the air bag light came on. The consumer was concerned that the air bag light will cause the air bags not to deploy in case of an accident. Also, she was concerned that the air bags would deploy when there was no accident. The vehicle has been to the repair shop 6 times due to brake problems.. When the vehicle had 20,000 miles it had to have the rotors turned and brake shoes replaced. The brakes were still making a humming noise. …”

NHTSA complaint #10135455, filed 2005-09, 20,000 miles

“I was driving down the road in rush hour going approx. 55 MPH and my car completely shut off, the gauges shut down, lost power steering. Had to pull off the road as safely as possible, place vehicle in park and restart car. My car has shut down previously to this incident and feel as though it needs serious investigation. I could have been on the highway and been killed. This also has happened when in a spin out as well though this particular incident was random.”

NHTSA complaint #10251280, filed 2008-12

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

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

Other parts of the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero

Electrical system
57 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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