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2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero is electrical system, typically around 87,500 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical Alero model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
63/100
Owner complaints
364
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
396
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
22-23mpg

The worst 2001 Oldsmobile Alero problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero

Stalling 33Won't start 32Grinding brakes 23Fuel pump 23ABS 14Power windows 13No deployment 11Overheating 9Fuel gauge 7Adaptive cruise 6Engine failure 6Fire or smoke 6Check engine light 5

Recalls 4

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected
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

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switchReported August 28, 2003 · 670,740 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that may experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.
Risk
When the turn signals are inoperative, the driver cannot use them to signal intent to turn that could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on february 5, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.

Recall number 03V327000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manualReported July 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.

Recall number 03V250000 · Recall details

Power train: manual transmissionReported November 13, 2000 · 216 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transaxles (rpo m86) fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." when a driver attempts to shift from 5th gear to reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be mechanically in 4th gear even though the shift lever indicates reverse gear.
Risk
In this situation, the key can be removed from the ignition while the transmission is in a forward gear, which is not permitted by the standard.
Remedy
Dealers will disable the 5th/reverse inhibitor by removing a retaining pin and replace the shifter assembly.

Recall number 00V372000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero

Defect investigations

Turn signal failuresOpened December 23, 2002, closed September 5, 2003

By letter dated august 27, 2003, gm notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (the federal safety agency recall no. 03v327) involving certain model year (my) 2000-2001 chevrolet malibu, oldsmobile alero, and pontiac grand am.gm's recall covers 670,740 vehicles manufactured beginning february 1, 2000 through may 1, 2001 (alero and grand am) and february 1, 2000 through may 31, 2001 (malibu).gm reports that turn signal failure is due to solder joint cracking in the hazard switch, and has identified rapid temperature transitions of the hazard switch and the soldering process as the cause of cracking.electrical current to the turn signals flows through the hazard switch and an open circuit in the hazard switch will cause the exterior turn/hazard lamps to become intermittent or inoperative.gm will replace the hazard switch on all involved vehicles.based on gm's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.

EA02037

Erratic fuel gaugeOpened September 30, 2002, closed December 30, 2003

Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of the circuit card) will cause incorrect readings to register on the fuel gauge.gm reported in their response to odi dated january 13, 2003 that the primary cause of erratic fuel gauge operation is excess elemental sulfur in fuel.gm reported that abnormal levels of sulfur sporadically occurred in certain parts of canada and the u.s. Resulting in reports of fuel gauge malfunction.gm modified the sending sensor for vehicles built after october 2000.it made a second sensor modification for vehicles built after january 2003.gm also issued a customer satisfaction campaign (gm number 00101) in december 2000 for u.s. Customers in the state of maine and issued several service bulletins informing dealers of the availability of sensors with improved corrosion resistance.the complaint trend indicates that complaints peaked in late 2000 to early 2001.warranty claims declined since peaking in april 2002.based on the number of complaints and the indication of a declining trend, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

EA02028

Erratic fuel gaugeOpened January 26, 2001, closed September 30, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SQ01002

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero 396

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 396 bulletins for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero

2001 Oldsmobile Alero fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD1927-2922-23
3.4L 6‑cylFWD192922

What 2001 Oldsmobile Alero owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · KS

The car will shut off while driving/idling. There are no check engine lights. Took it to get the latest recall fixed that had to do with this and they just gave us new keys. It did not remedy the situation! Now we are paying to fix it because it is still shutting off while driving.

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Electrical · WI

The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The consumer stated the vehicle was junked 3 or 4 yrs ago because of the computer going out on the vehicle.

Filed Jul 11, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · IL

While driving the vehicle the car shut off while ignition was on. No warning whatsoever

Filed Jun 21, 2021 · Fuel system · IL

Car shut off while driving

Filed Jun 19, 2021 · Electrical · SC

Electrical ground wire to Alternator burnt out; caused battery to lose charged replaced twice within 2 years.

Filed Aug 1, 2020 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · NY

For some time the turn signals would only work intermittently. It seemed like I had more trouble with them if it was very hot and humid outside. Then, the turn signals triggered the hazard lights to come on. The turn signals are now inoperable. Sometimes the hazard lights come on by themselves and I am unable to turn them off.the turn signals quit working as I was driving down the road. The turn signals are completely inoperable now.

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 5 miles · CA

Air coming into the intake manifold and my low trac light comes on every time I have to do a turnaround or back around in a slow position from a start posistion. So im not getting my gas mileages worth nor can I do a uturn in a fast acceleration. It will get slower thats dangerous if upcoming traffic starts to proceed making it liable for an accident. Im scared for my life. Im in california in los angeles.

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · Engine · 178,000 miles · OH

Starter turns but will not start

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Electrical · FL

2001 oldsmobile alero. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition coil recall notice states same problem as consumer brake and steering failure accident. *ld the consumer stated while driving over bumpy patch in the road the ignition was inadvertently switched out of the "run" position resulting in an accident.

Filed Nov 28, 2017 · Body, Electrical · 79,780 miles · OH

Just got this car from the dealer and there is a gas leak also the key comes out of the ignition with the car on acceleration I have to put it back in and wiggle it to get it off and there's a o-ring sensor leak can't pass the echeck. I've had this car since august and the estimate to get the car fixed to pass the check is over the amount for the car and I am still paying a note when the car is station is leaking gas when it is motion it barely leaks when I park it, it pours out

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Compare the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero

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Questions about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero

Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?

Owners have filed 364 complaints about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, 1.3 times a typical Alero model year.

What is the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero year score?

The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero scores 63 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Oldsmobile Alero: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?

Electrical system, with 130 complaints, typically around 87,500 miles. Next is lights (68).

How many recalls does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero have?

4 recalls, covering electrical system, exterior lighting and equipment.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V400000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Oldsmobile Alero have the most electrical problems?

The Oldsmobile Alero model years with the most electrical complaints are 2002 (133 complaints), 2001 (130 complaints) and 2003 (103 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 27-29 highway.

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