What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Oldsmobile Alero

Typical pattern

2.9% of complaints about the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 10.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (59 complaints), typically at 10.8 yr or about 97,000 miles.

Complaints
175
Median age at failure
10.0 yr
Median mileage
97,000 n=126
Crash / fire / tow
12.6% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
59 reports · 97,000 mi
10.8 yr
6.8%
Exterior lighting
24 reports · 96,000 mi
8.1 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V400000 2014-07-03
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 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 the

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.

07E021000 2007-03-12
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.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 50,000 mi 1.9 yr in service
2004 OLDS ALERO KEY WILL NOT TURN HAVE TO SWAP KEY AROUND UNTIL IT TURNS. SOMETIMES WHEN IT DOES FINALLY TURN THE STARTER WILL HESITATE TO DISENGAGE. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES ON FORUMS SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR ALERO TOWED AND HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH/CYLINDER REPLACED. I FEEL A RECALL IS IN ORDER BEFORE THE PROBLEM WORSENS LIKE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD. *JB
Electrical system 43,000 mi 3.3 yr in service
CAR WOULD NOT START, SECURITY LIGHT ON. PASSLOCK SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING PER DEALER. REPARI WAS MADE, NEW KEYS ISSUED, BUT STRANGLY ENOUGH, OLD KEYS STILL WORKED. I'VE SEEN OTHER NOTES OF PASSLOCK SENSOR PROBLEMS IN OTHER ALEROS. SAFETY? YES-CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.
Electrical system mileage not reported 3.4 yr in service
MY OLDSMOBILE ALERO JUST HIT 60000 MILES, AND IS NOT STARTING AND IS STALLING. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS YET, BUT IT SEEMS ELECTRICAL. THE SECURITY LIGHT HAS COME ON WHEN IT STALLS SO I AM NOT SURE IF THEY ARE RELATED. *AK
Exterior lighting 55,150 mi 4.4 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN HE ACTIVATED THE TURN SIGNAL. IN ADDITION, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS: SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #03V327000) HOWEVER, THE 2004 MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE SWITCH INTERRUPTER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,203 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,150.

Other Alero model years

200420032002200120001999

How to read this