CarModelProblems.com

2003 Oldsmobile Alero Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 4.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
184Complaints
3Recalls
18Crashes
1Fires
15Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (42.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 4.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System79 · 42.9%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Air Bags22 · 12%No official action
Engine17 · 9.2%No official action
Electrical System:horn11 · 6%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Vehicle Speed Control10 · 5.4%RecalledRecall 04V528000
Steering10 · 5.4%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS22 · 12%
ENGINE17 · 9.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN11 · 6%
Unspecified / other11 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 5.4%
STEERING10 · 5.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION9 · 4.9%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS9 · 4.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 · 4.9%

Percentages are the share of the 184 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 04V528000 · 2004 · reported 11/01/2004

FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE ODOMETER FADED OUT. CAME BACK ON WHEN I KNOCKED ON THE DASH. THIS WORKED 2 OR 3 TIMES. NOW NO ODOMETER. THE OTHER DASH…”NHTSA complaint 10462853 — filed 06/23/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THIS ALL STARTED ESTIMATED IN APRIL 2010. WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON I KNOW IT WILL NOT START THE NEXT TIME I GET IN…”NHTSA complaint 10425807 — filed 09/16/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK, WENT TO THE DMV TO TAKE A DRIVING TEST AND THE HORN WOULD NOT START. BROUGHT THE CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10416347 — filed 07/30/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

15200616202008171820101972012473201433192016712019312024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 79 of 184 NHTSA complaints (42.9%), followed by air bags (22), engine (17), electrical system:horn (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have?

184 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.