2001 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero.

20002002
Complaints
549
Crashes
28
Fires
7
Injuries
25
Fatalities
2
Recalls
1

Worst 2001 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#189 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:115,950 mi
Crash-related:5
Fires:3
#220 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:183,998 mi
Crash-related:1
#317 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:81,311 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero.

Electrical Faults
89
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
3
Avg Miles
115,950
Headlight/Taillight Failures
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
183,998
Engine & Cooling
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,311
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,202
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,778
Engine Problems
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
117,507
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
34,619
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,729
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,581
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,614
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
64,160
Gasoline Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
88,000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,812
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
59,694
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
83,745
Fuel Pump
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,886
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,334
Hydraulic Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
25,279
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
107,722
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
37,274
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
16,000
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
41,881
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
7,000
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,002
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,995
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,333

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2001 Oldsmobile Alero

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~5,877,718 vehicles.

14V400000Electrical System:ignition
~5,877,718 affected

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.

Other Oldsmobile Alero Years

2001 Oldsmobile Alero — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero has 549 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 89 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (89 complaints, avg 115,950 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (20 complaints, avg 183,998 mi); Engine & Cooling (17 complaints, avg 81,311 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 84,954 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero include 28 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 25 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,877,718 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Oldsmobile Alero reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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