Worst 2003 Oldsmobile Alero Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Electrical Faults
Airbags
Engine Problems
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 79 | 6 | 1 | 95,391 mi | |
| Airbags | 22 | 8 | 1 | 92,307 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 17 | — | 1 | 83,863 mi | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 11 | — | — | 64,106 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | 2 | — | 114,239 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 2 | — | 104,571 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 9 | — | — | 55,527 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | 90,110 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 9 | — | — | 35,809 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 97,472 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | 1 | — | 93,522 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 5 | — | — | 86,930 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 102,754 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~5,877,718 vehicles.
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
2003 Oldsmobile Alero — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
What are common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?
How safe is the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?
Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?
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.
Check Your Specific 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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