Reliability
Oldsmobile

Alero (2000)

2000 · Midsize Sedan · 4 engines
560 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
8 Fire Reports
20 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Oldsmobile Alero → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

7.1 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 119 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 122.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall119 complaints against about 122 for similar vehicles
7.1
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced14 complaints against about 27 for similar vehicles
8.5
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Engineering analysisEA02028
Erratic fuel gauge · opened 2002, closed 2003

Complaints by Engine Code

LD9

2.4L 4-cyl
160 complaints 160.0 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
48
brakes
36
electrical
26
engine
12
safety systems
11

Oldsmobile Alero Unidentified Engine

128 complaints 128.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
32
engine
24
cooling
24
exterior
19
electrical
18

3.4-V6-Gas

3.4L 6-cyl
87 complaints 87.0 per year
View details
Show 4 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LAU - High Output engine

2.8L 6-cyl Turbo
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
1

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
1

Same engine used in

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LX5

3.5L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Oldsmobile Alero, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Brakes: 135 owner complaints
Exterior: 130 owner complaints
Electrical System: 90 owner complaints
Engine: 86 owner complaints
Cooling System: 79 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000 Oldsmobile Alero

On a used 2000 Oldsmobile Alero, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (135), the exterior lighting (130) and the electrical system (90). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero about the brakes.
  2. Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero about the exterior lighting.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints on the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero about the electrical system.
  4. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 86 owner complaints on the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero about the engine, all engines combined.
  5. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero

Recalls (5)

14V400000Jul 3, 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.

07E021000Mar 12, 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 28, 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.

00V372000Nov 13, 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.

00V140000May 18, 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.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Owners have filed 560 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the exterior and the electrical system.

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

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 560 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 560 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Oldsmobile Alero vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Oldsmobile Alero?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the exterior and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and 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: 2026-10-12.

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