Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 504 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 79 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 60 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 58 | 12% |
| Exterior lighting | 36 | 7% |
| Visibility | 33 | 7% |
| Suspension | 31 | 6% |
| Structure | 20 | 4% |
| Power train | 17 | 3% |
| Steering | 16 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERIN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHEN I GOT ACCIDENT NOVEMBER 3 2004 AND AIRBAG NOT COME BLOW YET. I GOT INJURY HEAD AND BROKE LEG ON RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING! THIS HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH! *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR BUT IT HAS RECALLS I WOULD LIKE TO GET FIXED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY CHAIN. HOWEVER,
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WANT TO REPORT THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1999 OLDS ALERO V6. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW SINCE AUG. 2013. THERE HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BECASUE MY SECURITY LIGHT COME ON AND MY AIR C
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND KEY ISSUES. *SMD
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 agen
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CONSOLE COVER COULD OPEN AND THE COVER OR ITEMS STORED UNDER IT COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE LATCH MECHANISM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN COME LOOSE FROM THE STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINING NUT FOR CORRECT TIGHTNESS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY.
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 504 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 79 of them (16%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.