NHTSA — Air Bags Problems

2003 Oldsmobile Alero (Page 1 of 2)

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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
67,132 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Jun 212022

Alero

  • 75,000 miles

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

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 and the front driver's side wheel was bent. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact hit her chest against the steering wheel. Additionally, the left side of the contact' body hit the driver's side window. The contact was knocked unconscious for approximately 30 minutes. The police officers removed the driver's side door and assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The emergency units transported the contact to the hospital, where she spent one night. The contact was then transported to another hospital where she spent two weeks. The contact sustained severe head, collarbone, neck, and back pain. Additionally, the contact sustained chest pain bruises, and a broken left foot. The contact was then sent to a rehabilitation center where she spent one week. The contact was then transported to her residence by emergency units. The contact stated that she had not been able to work properly and she had been depressed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Skillman, NJ, USA

problem #21

Nov 222021

Alero

  • miles
Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone

- Huntington, OR, USA

problem #20

Mar 022016

Alero

  • 105,860 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle slid on ice and crashed into a light pole. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact sustained an injury to the neck, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,860.

- Alliance, OH, USA

problem #19

Sep 012015

Alero

  • miles

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

I had got the ignition switch recall done it work for a little while but now its back acting up my airbag light have come on since then and will not go off. I have had my car check numerous time and everyone says its my ignition thats making my car try not to crank. This happens when you to to turn on car and airbag light have been on since this started happening.

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #18

Jan 192015

Alero 4-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where it was deemed destroyed. The contact sustained minor injuries which required medical attention. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 4/15/15

- Crossett, AR, USA

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problem #17

Sep 092014

Alero 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Consumer stated the vehicle need to have the ignition and keys repaired. The consumer received a recall notice, regarding the ignition switch and keys. However, on September 9, 2014, she was involved in an accident. The consumer stated the air bad did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #16

Apr 012010

Alero 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Consumer is writing in regards to 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Stating that son was killed in single car crash, roll over. Wondering if the key fob was the cause. The consumer stated the air bag did not deploy.

- Bloomington, WI, USA

problem #15

Oct 152013

Alero

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently, the horn was inoperable, and the alarm automatically activated. The failures occurred several times. The dealer stated that a module failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

- Milledgeville , GA, USA

problem #14

May 122014

Alero 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
The air bag on the passenger side is lifting at the sides.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #13

Oct 012014

Alero

  • 140,000 miles
Parts for repair to the key are not available as of Oct 1, 2014. Parts are on back order. No date of parts availability could be provided by GM.

- North Easton, MA, USA

problem #12

Aug 042014

Alero

  • 125,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 15 mph, the brake pedal failed to respond when it was depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #11

Aug 172014

Alero

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 15 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact crashed the vehicle into a side wall and the front passenger side tire separated from the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #10

Sep 032014

Alero 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel locked and caused the driver to crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was taken to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/24/14

- Sardis, MS, USA

problem #9

Jul 032007

Alero

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact indicated that after restarting the vehicle the steering malfunctioned, causing extreme difficulty in turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that both control arms were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the defect recurred. The contact indicated that the vehicle would intermittently stall while driving but an independent mechanic was unable to diagnose the defect. The contact also indicated that the air bag warning light was replaced because of constant illumination of the warning light. Additionally, the brakes malfunctioned but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Avon, IN, USA

problem #8

Aug 142013

Alero

  • miles
I believe my car should be in the GM recall. When staring the car at times there is a delay with dash board lights coming on. Also windows not working, radio, and sensor lights. I was told by tech it may be an ignition problem but when it was on the computer said something different. My airbag light keep coming on then he said it was an electrical problem in which he would need to break my steering column that I would have to pay for. The car only has 152000 miles.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #7

Feb 272014

Alero 4-cyl

  • 100,900 miles
Today I started my car with my automatic starter then 7 minutes later I hear a horn non stop beeping I lookout my door and my car is smoking and in flames from hood. Investigator tells me it totaled. After they put the fire out I look in car and only one air bag came out.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Jul 072010

Alero

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag was failing. The contact stated that the covering for the air bag was shifting and that 2/3 of the covering was up in the air. The surface was no longer smooth. The contact had a seamstress inspect the surface. The seamstress advised that the failure was caused by the air bag. The vehicle was not inspected. The contact was concerned that the air bag could potentially deploy unexpectedly. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 88,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #4

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 #3

Aug 192005

Alero 6-cyl

  • 42,925 miles
2003 Alero ignition shorted causing consumer not be able to start vehicle, also found a leak in intake manifold gasket. The passlock sensor in the ignition cylinder shorted and as a result the vehicle would not start. The intake gaskets and oil drive O-ring leaked. The dealer replaced the lower intake manifold gasket, rocker cover gaskets and oil pump driveshaft cover seal. The air bag cover warped. The top of the dash was wrinkled and the instrument panel pan was peeling from it's backing. The dealer replaced the instrument panel assembly and transferred all components.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

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