2004 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero.

2003newer >
Complaints
173
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Injuries
14
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Problems

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

#146 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:106,018 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#214 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:107,876 mi
#313 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:121,320 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero.

Electrical Faults
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
106,018
Headlight/Taillight Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
107,876
Engine Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
121,320
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
155,518
Electrical System:Ignition
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
113,514
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,000
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
92,187
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
123,702
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
95,644
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 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

2004 Oldsmobile Alero — FAQ

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

Is the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Oldsmobile Alero has 173 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 46 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (46 complaints, avg 106,018 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (14 complaints, avg 107,876 mi); Engine Problems (13 complaints, avg 121,320 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 2004 Oldsmobile Alero?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 110,870 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero include 14 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 14 injuries, and 0 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 2004 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 2004 Oldsmobile Alero?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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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