2003 Oldsmobile Alero Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, and owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2003 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…
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Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' in hot ambient conditions, the accelerator pedal arm may stick at the attachment to the bracket and not return to the engine idle position when the operator lifts his foot from the accelerator…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the accelerator pedal arm and replace the accelerator and brake pedal assembly with a new assembly, if necessary. The recall began on december 20, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at…
184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA; 18 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 15 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 82,381 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 44 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and crossing an intersection, a speeding police vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle an”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 5, 2024 · Air bags
“Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 20, 2021 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 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 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
How do I know if my 2003 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
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 04V528000).
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.