Total Complaints
702 filings
OLDSMOBILE ALERO · model year
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
702 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999OLDSMOBILEALERO carries 702 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 12 fires, 18 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 ALERO is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor with 45 filings, followed by electrical system (38) and visibility:power window devices and controls (32). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 1999 ALERO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
702
Complaints
20
Crashes
12
Fires
18
Injuries
3
Deaths
Crashes Reported
20 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 45 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 38 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 32 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 29 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 24 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 24 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 14 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 13 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | 13 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 13 |
| SUSPENSION | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 11 |
Recent Complaints
20171219STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Mileage: 117,000
20171209CrashFireAIR BAGS
WHEN I GOT ACCIDENT NOVEMBER 3 2004 AND AIRBAG NOT COME BLOW YET. I GOT INJURY HEAD AND BROKE LEG ON RIGHT.
Mileage: 45
20170119SUSPENSION
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING! THIS HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH! *TR
Mileage: 85,000
20170119WHEELS
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING! THIS HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH! *TR
Mileage: 85,000
20161025AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
20161025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
20161025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
20161012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN. HOWEVER, THE KEY WOULD OFTEN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHAT WAS MORE DISTURBING, THE KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY POSITION. NUMEROUS TIMES THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB
20150709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 170,000
20150709FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 170,000
20150709AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE FANS, FUEL GAUGE, AND AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 170,000
20150707ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WANT TO REPORT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1999 OLDS ALERO V6. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW SINCE AUG. 2013. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECASUE MY SECURITY LIGHT COME ON AND MY AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COME ON. SO I HAD IT TESTED AND ITS NOT GETTING ANY ELECTRICAL TO IT TO COME ON. AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENS EVERTIME. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WOULD THEY BE ONE IN NEAR FUTURE.... BECASUE I DONT 300-400 EVERYTIME IT GOES OUT.
Mileage: 280,000
20150615ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY ISSUES. *SMD
20150513ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION WERE REPLACED. *JB
20150312ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY GAVE HER A NEW KEY ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION, WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED FOR FREE. *JB
20150224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER RECEIVED REPAIR FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER THAT WAS DONE IN AUGUST 2013. *TA
20150223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
20150211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET VEHICLE FIXED DUE TO A RECALL AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. *TA
20150108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD THE RECALL DONE BUT MY CAR KEEPS DYING AND WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING I CAN NOW REMOVE MY KEY AND ENGINE STAYS RUNNING. THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT AT LEAST 10 MIN FOR CAR TO START. I HAVE A BABY AND WITH THIS COLD WEATHER PLUS BEING STRANDED IS NOT SAFE. I WAS TOLD ALL THE DEALER DID WAS A NEW KEY/INSERT. THE WHOLE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A NEW RECALL. THE DEALER TOLD ME FOR $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE THAT COULD LOOK AT THE CAR. NEVER DID THIS UNTIL THE DEALER DID THE REPAIR. *TR
Mileage: 170,000
20141215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Mileage: 122,000
Compare 1999OLDSMOBILEALERO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO have?▼
The 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO has 702 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 12 fires, 18 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO?▼
The most-complained component for the 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR with 45 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS.
Is the 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.