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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2004 Oldsmobile Alero Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
6%of 109 total for the year
Median mileage
92,670miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 6% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,670 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“Noticed the windshield was leaking which cause to leak on equipment under inside and out dashboard witch caused erosion and defects to other operating equipment lead to car stalling while driving,some operations of will work, some won't. It has a mind of it's own,the security system on car does not work. I do not feel safe since I was driving down road on highway 55mph. And the car completely turn off, I turned ignition switch to turn car back on it was very scary moment. I didn't know what to do. …”

NHTSA complaint #11180995, filed 2019-02, 198,765 miles

“June 2010(irving, tx) - the gear shaft button popped out which made shifting from park to reverse or drive almost impossible without sticking something hard inside, like a pen . Vehicle would become difficult to start, typically after third try it would start. . The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis or repaired as I could not afford it at the time, . I was involved in an accident, in which my Alero was totaled after failing to stop because power steering and brakes locked, the airbags never deployed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10633512, filed 2014-09, 165,340 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 bought it in dec.2004,the last 2-one black and one white,I took the black sitting on the lot of freeman olds, irving tx. I started having trouble in2006 I have all of my paperwork. Brakes went out, powertrain went out. Then I started smelling gas in themorning when I cranked it. And still do to this morning,it is awful. Last year it died right in the middle of the road. Would not start,I even had the plano tx. Police try to boot it for me. Battery I thought. Huffines had it towed in and it started right up for them,but it was my fault they could not reproduce it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10553362, filed 2013-11

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200466%
200374%
200221%
2001134%
2000254%
1999347%

Other parts of the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero

Electrical system
57 complaints
Exterior lighting
21 complaints
Air bags
13 complaints
Engine
13 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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