Tl*the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile alero. The vehicle caught on fire under the hood and damaged the entire front end . The contact stated that the dealer and manufacturer will be contacted regarding the fire. The current and failure mileage were 150,000.
1999 Oldsmobile Alero: fire, smoke or burning smell
8 of the 462 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 79,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds there was a humming noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the ABS light illuminated, the cruise control became inoperable, a burning smell appeared and the vehicle was loosing water. The dealership inspected the vehicle. The battery, wiring, spark plug wiring and a belt were replaced. The water pump and window switch was replaced. The blower motor needed to cleaned out. The brakes were inoperative updated 05/01/06.
Left school went to the bank, came out smoke was coming from under hood by front passenger tire. I cracked the hood and smoke increased. I could smell something burning, I put the hood back down and asked the bank teller to call 911. Fire department came and opened hood, alternator was burned out entirely and there had been no warning signs at any time. Had to leave vehicle, will have to replace alternator, and pay for towing. Advised by the fire department not to turn the ignition for any reason because the alternator will ignite, until replaced.
While driving to work on jan 17 I turned on the rear defroster. Within a few minutes, two to three, I heard a popping sound. Just one time, so I started looking around the interior of the car. I noticed a hole between the rear passenger window and the rear window. My alero was a 2 door. When I got when I could pull over there were flames coming from the hole. I was unable to put them out. I called 911. By time the fire trucks arrived the car was fully engulfed in flames and was beyond saving. The only thing left of it was the body and the engine.
The oldsmobile alero is a pile of crap. Since I have had it I have replaced almost everything in the front end. My catalytic converter went out at 70,000 miles, I had a warranty and they didn't fix it. My anti-lock brakes and traction control went out and my cruise control switch hasn't worked since about 60,000 miles. I'm just waiting for the day this car just bursts into flames.
While driving driver noticed smoke coming under the hood. Pulled vehicle over and checked. Noticed coolant was leaking on the intake manifold. Took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic had not determine the cause of the leakage.
While driving at highway speed vehicle caught on fire without warning. As a result, vehicle was totaled.
While driving home from work, the backseat of my car started on fire. This was due to the rear defogger modular. Thank god no one was in the back. It cost 4,000 to repair. My rear defogger was repaired and about a month later, it wouldn't work again. We took it back only to find out that the wire harness was starting to melt again. We also have had problems with a banging in the front passenger side. We can't find the cause of this problem.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Electrical system
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Unintended Ignition Key Rotation
- Electrical system
- Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code P0140
- Subject regarding intermittent communication or serial data diagnostic trouble codes stored in history
- Subject regarding revised ignition lock cylinder or ignition switch assembly replacement
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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 recall is 14350.
Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero?
8 of 462 owner complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero (2%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero?
There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
Power windows 18Overheating 16Grinding brakes 13Coil spring 13ABS 12Won't start 12Premature wear 11Stalling 10Brake failure 8Check engine light 8Fuel gauge 7Engine failure 6Water leak 6Adaptive cruise 5No deployment 5Knocking 5Seat belt 5Tire blowout 5
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