Oldsmobile

Alero (2000)

2000 · Midsize Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.8)
560 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
8 Fire Reports
20 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Oldsmobile Alero → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

3.4-V6-Gas

3.4L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.8)
87 complaints 87.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
22
electrical
17
brakes
14
engine
13
cooling
13

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (22 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (17 complaints)
Brakes Issues (14 complaints)

Oldsmobile Alero Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.2)
128 complaints 128.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
32
engine
24
cooling
24
exterior
19
electrical
18

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (32 complaints)
Engine Issues (24 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (24 complaints)

LD9

2.4L 4-cyl
Avoid (1.8)
159 complaints 159.0 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
48
brakes
36
electrical
26
engine
11
safety systems
11

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (48 complaints)
Brakes Issues (36 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (26 complaints)

LA1

3.4L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.3)
181 complaints 181.0 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
51
exterior
39
engine
37
cooling
32
electrical
29

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (51 complaints)
Exterior Issues (39 complaints)
Engine Issues (37 complaints)
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

LAU - High Output engine

2.8L 6-cyl Turbo
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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LX5

3.5L 6-cyl
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

L67

3.8L 6-cyl
Recommended (3.5)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Oldsmobile Alero regardless of engine variant.

Brakes Issues (135 complaints)
brakes critical
Exterior Issues (130 complaints)
exterior critical
Electrical System Issues (90 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (86 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (70 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (5)

14V400000Mar 6, 2014serious
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 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.

07E021000Dec 2, 2007serious
Fuel System, Other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

03V327000Aug 27, 2003serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

00V140000May 17, 2000serious
Structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE CONSOLE COVER ON THESE VEHICLES DOES NOT STAY CLOSED WHEN A SPECIFIED VERTICAL LOAD IS APPLIED.

00V372000Nov 12, 2000cosmetic
Powertrain

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero problems?

The 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero has accumulated 560 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Exterior, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Oldsmobile Alero engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero was offered with 9 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.4L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero a good used car?

The 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 560 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero have?

The 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero has 560 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero?

There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Oldsmobile Alero?

Before buying a used Oldsmobile Alero, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Exterior, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Alero have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 560 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-22.

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