2001 Oldsmobile Alero recalls and problems

The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero has 4 safety recalls and 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Oldsmobile dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
364
Crashes / fires
20 / 5
Injuries / deaths
18 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Oldsmobile Alero vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Oldsmobile Alero recalls

Recall 14V-400: Electrical System

Reported Jul 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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 agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall 03V-327: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 28, 2003 · 670,740 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that may experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.

Risk: When the turn signals are inoperative, the driver cannot use them to signal intent to turn that could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on february 5, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

Recall 03V-250: Equipment

Reported Jul 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

Recall 00V-372: Power Train

Reported Nov 13, 2000 · 216 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transaxles (Rpo m86) fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection." when a driver attempts to shift from 5th gear to reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be mechanically in 4th gear even though the shift lever indicates reverse gear.

Risk: In this situation, the key can be removed from the ignition while the transmission is in a forward gear, which is not permitted by the standard.

Fix: Dealers will disable the 5th/reverse inhibitor by removing a retaining pin and replace the shifter assembly.

2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System135
Exterior Lighting72
Service Brakes, Hydraulic53
Engine and Engine Cooling49
Visibility35
Fuel System, Gasoline28
Suspension19
Steering17
Air Bags15
Engine15
Structure14
Power Train14

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch — 17
  • Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal — 16
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 15
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 14
  • Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Control Module — 13
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 12
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 12
  • Electrical System › Ignition › Switch — 10

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,825 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Oldsmobile Alero complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Apr 18, 2023
The car will shut off while driving/idling. There are no check engine lights. Took it to get the latest recall fixed that had to do with this and they just gave us new keys. It did not remedy the situation! Now we are paying to fix it because it is still shutting off while driving.
Electrical System · reported Jul 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The consumer stated the vehicle was junked 3 or 4 yrs ago because of the computer going out on the vehicle.
Electrical System · at 130,000 miles · reported Aug 1, 2020
For some time the turn signals would only work intermittently. It seemed like I had more trouble with them if it was very hot and humid outside. Then, the turn signals triggered the hazard lights to come on. The turn signals are now inoperable. Sometimes the hazard lights come on by themselves and I AM unable to turn them off.the turn signals quit working as I was driving down the road. The turn signals are completely inoperable now.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 5 miles · reported Feb 14, 2019
Air coming into the intake manifold and my low trac light comes on every time I have to do a turnaround or back around in a slow position from a start posistion. So im not getting my gas mileages worth nor can I do a uturn in a fast acceleration. It will get slower thats dangerous if upcoming traffic starts to proceed making it liable for an accident. Im scared for my life. Im in california in los angeles.
Electrical System · reported Mar 30, 2018
2001 oldsmobile alero. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition coil recall notice states same problem as consumer brake and steering failure accident. The consumer stated while driving over bumpy patch in the road the ignition was inadvertently switched out of the "run" position resulting in an accident.

Other Oldsmobile Alero years

Compare all Oldsmobile Alero years · All Oldsmobile models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero: 14V-400 (electrical system), 03V-327 (exterior lighting), 03V-250 (equipment), 00V-372 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (135 reports), followed by exterior lighting (72). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,825 miles.

Are Oldsmobile recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Oldsmobile dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.