OLDSMOBILE ALERO · model year

2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO

406 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002OLDSMOBILEALERO carries 406 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 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 2002 ALERO is electrical system with 101 filings, followed by exterior lighting (30) and exterior lighting:turn signal (23). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 2002 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.

406
Complaints
14
Crashes
9
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

406 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101
EXTERIOR LIGHTING30
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH12
ENGINE12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE9
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
STEERING7
SUSPENSION6

Recalls (2)

07E02100012/03/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

14V40000003/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen

Recent Complaints

20220202AIR BAGS

1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from being able to move to check blind spots or rear while driving 4. Emergency lights become disabled when security lights turn on Key ignition was inspected and fixed according to recall. The above are things that have been noticed by new driver/owner. Only drive when necessary to avoid traffic accidents. Do not have money to pay a dealership or GM to check problems. These problems occurred since day 1 after purchasing the vehicle.

20220202STEERING

1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from being able to move to check blind spots or rear while driving 4. Emergency lights become disabled when security lights turn on Key ignition was inspected and fixed according to recall. The above are things that have been noticed by new driver/owner. Only drive when necessary to avoid traffic accidents. Do not have money to pay a dealership or GM to check problems. These problems occurred since day 1 after purchasing the vehicle.

20220202SEAT BELTS

1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from being able to move to check blind spots or rear while driving 4. Emergency lights become disabled when security lights turn on Key ignition was inspected and fixed according to recall. The above are things that have been noticed by new driver/owner. Only drive when necessary to avoid traffic accidents. Do not have money to pay a dealership or GM to check problems. These problems occurred since day 1 after purchasing the vehicle.

20220102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Kept cutting off won't stay crunk long ignition is jammed loud screeching noises from the springs alternator might be the reason electrical issues fuel pump I had to leave my car at a friend's place I'm not working due to the COVID pandemic not able to afford repairs I really need my transportation someone referred me to this site

20220102FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Kept cutting off won't stay crunk long ignition is jammed loud screeching noises from the springs alternator might be the reason electrical issues fuel pump I had to leave my car at a friend's place I'm not working due to the COVID pandemic not able to afford repairs I really need my transportation someone referred me to this site

20220102SUSPENSION

Kept cutting off won't stay crunk long ignition is jammed loud screeching noises from the springs alternator might be the reason electrical issues fuel pump I had to leave my car at a friend's place I'm not working due to the COVID pandemic not able to afford repairs I really need my transportation someone referred me to this site

20200518STRUCTURE:BODY

2002 OLDS ALERO,PRESENT MILEAGE@5/17/20-187,037. WHERE DO I START? OKAY,THE TRUNK HAS STARTED TO ARBITRARILY DECIDE TO POP OPEN...APPARENTLY DURING RAIN/THUNDERSTORMS...I WONDER IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DOOR LOCKS RECENTLY DECIDING TO NOT LOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN USING SWITCH ON DR,SIDE DOOR...AND NOW SINCE THE TRUNK'S BEEN POPPING OPEN FOR THE LAST 3WKS,THE KEY FOB WON'T OPEN THE TRUNK,AND THE BUTTON ON INTERIOR DOOR TO THE TRUNK WON'T WORK EITHER,UNLESS THE CAR IS RUNNING(AND NOT ALL THE TIME THEN,EITHER) INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS WON'T RESPOND TO THE INTERIOR SWITCH ANYMORE..WHAT A PAIN IN THE A**....I'M KEEPING A BUNGEE CORD OVER THE SPOILER TO THE BUMPER TO KEEP THE TRUNK CLOSED. FYI~I KEEP THE CAR ON A TRICKLE CHARGE TO THE BATTERY24/7 ,SINCE I AVOID DRIVING THE THING-THE PASSLOCK BS SEEMS TO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DRAIN SINCE IT HAS TO SIT WITH THE KEY ON.ALSO CARRY A NOCO CHARGER AT ALL TIMES IN CASE I NEED A JUMP..THE RUST IS UNBELIEVABLE. REAR FENDERS ARE ALL BUT CRUMB

Mileage: 187,037

20200518ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2002 OLDS ALERO,PRESENT MILEAGE@5/17/20-187,037. WHERE DO I START? OKAY,THE TRUNK HAS STARTED TO ARBITRARILY DECIDE TO POP OPEN...APPARENTLY DURING RAIN/THUNDERSTORMS...I WONDER IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DOOR LOCKS RECENTLY DECIDING TO NOT LOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN USING SWITCH ON DR,SIDE DOOR...AND NOW SINCE THE TRUNK'S BEEN POPPING OPEN FOR THE LAST 3WKS,THE KEY FOB WON'T OPEN THE TRUNK,AND THE BUTTON ON INTERIOR DOOR TO THE TRUNK WON'T WORK EITHER,UNLESS THE CAR IS RUNNING(AND NOT ALL THE TIME THEN,EITHER) INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS WON'T RESPOND TO THE INTERIOR SWITCH ANYMORE..WHAT A PAIN IN THE A**....I'M KEEPING A BUNGEE CORD OVER THE SPOILER TO THE BUMPER TO KEEP THE TRUNK CLOSED. FYI~I KEEP THE CAR ON A TRICKLE CHARGE TO THE BATTERY24/7 ,SINCE I AVOID DRIVING THE THING-THE PASSLOCK BS SEEMS TO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DRAIN SINCE IT HAS TO SIT WITH THE KEY ON.ALSO CARRY A NOCO CHARGER AT ALL TIMES IN CASE I NEED A JUMP..THE RUST IS UNBELIEVABLE. REAR FENDERS ARE ALL BUT CRUMB

Mileage: 187,037

20200518UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2002 OLDS ALERO,PRESENT MILEAGE@5/17/20-187,037. WHERE DO I START? OKAY,THE TRUNK HAS STARTED TO ARBITRARILY DECIDE TO POP OPEN...APPARENTLY DURING RAIN/THUNDERSTORMS...I WONDER IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DOOR LOCKS RECENTLY DECIDING TO NOT LOCK THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN USING SWITCH ON DR,SIDE DOOR...AND NOW SINCE THE TRUNK'S BEEN POPPING OPEN FOR THE LAST 3WKS,THE KEY FOB WON'T OPEN THE TRUNK,AND THE BUTTON ON INTERIOR DOOR TO THE TRUNK WON'T WORK EITHER,UNLESS THE CAR IS RUNNING(AND NOT ALL THE TIME THEN,EITHER) INTERIOR DOOR LOCKS WON'T RESPOND TO THE INTERIOR SWITCH ANYMORE..WHAT A PAIN IN THE A**....I'M KEEPING A BUNGEE CORD OVER THE SPOILER TO THE BUMPER TO KEEP THE TRUNK CLOSED. FYI~I KEEP THE CAR ON A TRICKLE CHARGE TO THE BATTERY24/7 ,SINCE I AVOID DRIVING THE THING-THE PASSLOCK BS SEEMS TO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DRAIN SINCE IT HAS TO SIT WITH THE KEY ON.ALSO CARRY A NOCO CHARGER AT ALL TIMES IN CASE I NEED A JUMP..THE RUST IS UNBELIEVABLE. REAR FENDERS ARE ALL BUT CRUMB

Mileage: 187,037

20190920ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" I OWN A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND MY BLINKERS ONLY WORK MAYBE 2 TIME A MONTH WHEN I USE MY TURNING SIGNALS IN EITHER DIRECTION I JUST HEAR A BUZZING SOUND SOMETIMES IT IS ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SOUND AND NO BLINKER AT ALL. NOW MY GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY AND I JUST PUT $30 OF GAS IN IT AND ONCE I RAN OUT OF GAS AND AND WAS STUCK ON THE HWY FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE SAID FULL TANK B

20190920FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" I OWN A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND MY BLINKERS ONLY WORK MAYBE 2 TIME A MONTH WHEN I USE MY TURNING SIGNALS IN EITHER DIRECTION I JUST HEAR A BUZZING SOUND SOMETIMES IT IS ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SOUND AND NO BLINKER AT ALL. NOW MY GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY AND I JUST PUT $30 OF GAS IN IT AND ONCE I RAN OUT OF GAS AND AND WAS STUCK ON THE HWY FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE SAID FULL TANK B

20190920EXTERIOR LIGHTING

"TAKATA RECALL" I OWN A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND MY BLINKERS ONLY WORK MAYBE 2 TIME A MONTH WHEN I USE MY TURNING SIGNALS IN EITHER DIRECTION I JUST HEAR A BUZZING SOUND SOMETIMES IT IS ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO SOUND AND NO BLINKER AT ALL. NOW MY GAS GAUGE SAYS EMPTY AND I JUST PUT $30 OF GAS IN IT AND ONCE I RAN OUT OF GAS AND AND WAS STUCK ON THE HWY FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE MY GAS GAUGE SAID FULL TANK B

20190820SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AFTERMARKET STRUTS INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE STRUTS CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR AND PULLED APART THE CONTROL ARMS AT THE CENTER BUSHINGS, WHICH CAUSED THE GEOMETRY OF THE SUSPENSION TO CHANGE. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE PART MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY FAILURES WITH THE STRUTS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

20190620ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

Mileage: 203,000

20180719ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR OFTEN STALLS STARTING. EASILY CUTS OFF WHEN PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER IS IN PLACE OR IF RADIO IS ON AFTER 5 MINUTES WITH DISCONTINUING ENGINE. CUT OFF AT A STOP SIGN RECENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SOME TIME LATER. HAS NEW BATTERY LESS THAN 8 MONTHS OLD. DID THE SAME THINGS WITH OLD BATTERY AND WAS THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT CONTINUES WITH THE SAME ISSUES. SEEMS TO HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE.

Mileage: 97,000

20180719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR OFTEN STALLS STARTING. EASILY CUTS OFF WHEN PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER IS IN PLACE OR IF RADIO IS ON AFTER 5 MINUTES WITH DISCONTINUING ENGINE. CUT OFF AT A STOP SIGN RECENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SOME TIME LATER. HAS NEW BATTERY LESS THAN 8 MONTHS OLD. DID THE SAME THINGS WITH OLD BATTERY AND WAS THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT CONTINUES WITH THE SAME ISSUES. SEEMS TO HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE.

Mileage: 97,000

20180506ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL- I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR AND HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KEY I FEEL THE IGNITION MOVE. I ALSO HAVE A HARD THE KEEPING IT STARTED. WHEN I'M DRIVING WITH MY SEAT BELT ON MY NO SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AS IF IT WASN'T ON.

Mileage: 167,000

20180322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JERRY SEINER CHEVROLET, 1530 S 500 W, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORIGINAL KEY WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,111.

Mileage: 141,111

20180322STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (JERRY SEINER CHEVROLET, 1530 S 500 W, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORIGINAL KEY WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,111.

Mileage: 141,111

20171227SERVICE BRAKES

MY TENSOR PULLEY IS GOING OUT AND MY SAFETY SENSORS LIKE ANTI LOCK, TRAC OFF AND NOW SERVICE ENGINE SOON KEEP COMING ON HAD IT IN SHOP AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW ITS MAKING LOUD NOISES.IT HAPPENS WHEN IM STOPPED AND MOVING

Mileage: 132,999

Compare 2002OLDSMOBILEALERO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO have?
The 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO has 406 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO?
Yes, the 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO?
The most-complained component for the 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 101 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL.
Is the 2002 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.