NHTSA — Electrical System: Horn Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

3.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,623 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Oldsmobile Alero electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Comments

problem #11

Nov 152013

Alero

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle whenever the heater was activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. In addition, the contact mentioned that the horn failed. The horn was replaced, but the failure recurred two weeks later. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #10

Sep 012009

Alero 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Approximately 2 plus years ago my horn stopped working. I returned to the dealer from whom I bought the car. Car was purchased used, however I did purchase extended warranty. I was informed by dealer that the horn was connected to airbag module and that the contacts were shot. To get my horn back I would have to replace a perfectly good, I hope, airbag module at a cost of approximately $1100. This a B.S. I cannot afford to pay for a new airbag module. I am still without a horn. There are times when having a horn is important. In my mind this is serious design flaw. How many people can afford to resolve this problem" to me this is a 'blatant' safety hazard. Will my airbag work properly if I ever need it???"

- East Helena, MT, USA

problem #9

Dec 112010

Alero 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
I have a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The horn stopped working, checked fuse and that was fine. Took car to dealer that I bought it from. They informed me that the horn is attached to airbag module, to get horn to work again I would have to replace airbag module, approximate cost $1100. I do not have that kind of money for repair. I need a horn.....not a new airbag module! why replace a perfectly good airbag module to get the horn to work? definite design flaw. Costly one at that.

- East Helena, MT, USA

problem #8

Dec 102007

Alero

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Horn went off continually at approx. 330 H. and failed to stop until it eventually died at 400 H. now I am left without a horn, because I will not pay $800 to resolve the issues of GM's faulty manufacturing that causes the switches to contract and contact some stupid wire. Dear GM, I love the Japanese ;)

- Port Colborne, 00, USA

problem #7

Jun 272009

Alero

  • 80,000 miles
I used my horn to let someone know that they were in my lane, and all of a sudden my horn was stuck. The window clips on my car broke off, as I have read of these same complaints of other 2003 Oldsmobile Alero owners. I believe that there are serious defects of these two parts, and GM will not issue a recall to fix these problems. Due to that fact, I am unable to pass inspection because my car has to have a working horn and my window must be able to move up and down. Also a third complaint, there is now coolant that is starting to leak into my oil, which from what I understand could cause a fire!!

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #6

Aug 242009

Alero

  • 75,000 miles
My problem is with the horn/airbag assembly for this vehicle. It started about 3 years ago. The horn, in cold weather, honks. It would go off and continue in a constant honk (not a pulsing honk) and will not stop until the relay under the hood is pulled. If the relay is replaced and the weather is still cold it would go off/honk while riding down the road. The whole horn/airbag assembly has to be replace. I replaced the assembly 2 years ago. Now the new horn assembly goes off even in warm weather. Sitting in the driveway, going down the road, whenever, causing un-needed attention and distracting other drivers. The only solution has been to totally disable the horn/airbag by removing the relay under the hood leaving me with no horn at all. The cost for replacement is over $900. Money I can't afford to spend with no guarantee that the third unit won't do the same thing as the other two. When I enter a search on-line there are numerous complaints from other Alero owners reporting the same problem.

- Haughton, LA, USA

problem #5

Jul 122007

Alero

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The horn goes off without pressing and continues to blow without anyone even in the car.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 162007

Alero 4-cyl

  • miles
Bought the 2003 Alero Oldsmobile in March 2007, not realizing the ongoing problems with the stalling and not starting issues. Many times with children in the car have been stranded when car would not start. First time, replaced battery; second time and third time took to mechanic spent $390 to attempt to fix car however still has issue. Mechanic said it had electrical issue with security system conflicting with wireless internet radio waves. Had to have it towed into the mechanic. Soon after a week the problem occurred again:I read on a automotive forum to put key on the "on" position for 10 minutes wait for the security light to stop blinking and then start the car (should work it stated) it worked however it is now sometimes a daily problem. I now allow 10 minutes leway in departure to allow for this aggravating problem to arise. This problem is a high security issue not safe to be stranded with single mom with kids in parking lots and as well as being out to town. Has caused to miss work. This is a ongoing issue and not sure how to remedy the problem. To add to the problem, the horn has been sounding off (as it it stuck position) for the last week 11/12/2007while driving another occurrence 11/16/07 park position key not in the ignition at 2:00am in a apartment complex. To quick resolve issue I tapped the horn on steering column it would go off again, then had roommate disarm the horn wire.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 162007

Alero 4-cyl

  • miles
Bought the 2003 Alero Oldsmobile in March 2007, not realizing the ongoing problems with the stalling and not starting issues. Many times with children in the car have been stranded when car would not start. First time, replaced battery; second time and third time took to mechanic spent $390 to attempt to fix car however still has issue. Mechanic said it had electrical issue with security system conflicting with wireless internet radio waves. Had to have it towed into the mechanic. Soon after a week the problem occurred again:I read on a automotive forum to put key on the "on" position for 10 minutes wait for the security light to stop blinking and then start the car (should work it stated) it worked however it is now sometimes a daily problem. I now allow 10 minutes leway in departure to allow for this aggravating problem to arise. This problem is a high security issue not safe to be stranded with single mom with kids in parking lots and as well as being out to town. Has caused to miss work. This is a ongoing issue and not sure how to remedy the problem. To add to the problem, the horn has been sounding off (as it it stuck position) for the last week 11/12/2007while driving another occurrence 11/16/07 park position key not in the ignition at 2:00am in a apartment complex. To quick resolve issue I tapped the horn on steering column it would go off again, then had roommate disarm the horn wire.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #2

Aug 042007

Alero 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,800 miles
The horn had never been easy to use, nor did it always function, but suddenly it would not shut off, then it completely died. On taking the car to the dealership, they diagnosed a short-circuit and pronounced that it would cost $1,390 + tax to repair, as they would need to replace the air bag in addition to the 2 horns that the car apparently has.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 012006

Alero 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the horn failed to sound when depressed. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that the horn activated without provocation and he had to remove the fuse to shut it off. The dealer stated that the horn wiring in the steering wheel pad was stuck. The current mileage is 67,000 and failure mileage was 50. The consumer stated GM explains the horn contact is integral to the air bag assembly which must be replaced to repair the horn at the sum of $800. The consumer provided information from a website pertaining to the same defect as the vehicle in question. Updated 08/20/07

- Warminster, PA, USA

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