2002 Oldsmobile Alero Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, and owners have filed 279 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Ignition (electrical system)
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…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this…
279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have filed 279 complaints with NHTSA; 11 describe a crash and 8 describe a fire. Reports cite 9 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,882 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 45 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“2002 oldsmobile alero was driving on interstate and very low on fuel when i exited the interstate at the street light it turned green and as i was accelerating my car stalled out and since then ive pu”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 17, 2026 · Engine
“1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seat”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 2, 2022 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–22 / 27–30 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.2/3.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Oldsmobile Alero model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Oldsmobile Alero model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 Oldsmobile Alero | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 Oldsmobile Alero | 3 | 462 |
| 2000 Oldsmobile Alero | 4 | 557 |
| 2001 Oldsmobile Alero | 4 | 364 |
| 2002 Oldsmobile Alero | 1 | 279 |
| 2003 Oldsmobile Alero | 2 | 184 |
| 2004 Oldsmobile Alero | 1 | 109 |
Checking a specific 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
How do I know if my 2002 Oldsmobile Alero has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Oldsmobile dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 14V400000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Oldsmobile models
- Cutlass1,609 complaints
- Intrigue1,140 complaints
- Bravada962 complaints
- Silhouette950 complaints
- 88931 complaints
- Aurora786 complaints
- Achieva416 complaints
- Cutlass Supreme296 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.