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 581 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 112 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 93 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 61 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 58 | 10% |
| Visibility | 27 | 5% |
| Air bags | 23 | 4% |
| Power train | 15 | 3% |
| Structure | 14 | 2% |
| Steering | 13 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I OWN THIS CAR FOR 3 WEEKS ALREADY AND IT STARTS TURN IT OFF WHILE DRIVING I CHANGE SOME SENSOR ALREADY BUT I READ ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND I THINK THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, I DON'T HAVE ANY PHOTO BECAUSE EV
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY, THE RPM GAUGE DROPPED TO ZERO, THE THERMOSTAT NEEDLE RAPIDLY FLICKERED UP AND DOWN THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WON'T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO BE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR WILL TURN OVER BUT WONT START. IT'S NOT GETTING SPARK. RAN IT TO TEST CODES. CAME BACK AS TPS. CHANGED IT AND IT ALL WON'T START. WAS TOLD POSSIBLY A RECALL ON THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION NOW I CAN'T EVEN TURN THE CAR ON TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF- BEEPING WILL NOT STOP WHEN KEY IS REMOVED AND CAR BATTERY DRAINED. KEY ALSO GETS HOT WHEN IN IGNITION
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TAKATA RECALL, FOLLOWUP AND CONCERN. TODAY IS I WANT TO GREET EVERY ONE A HAPPY 4 OF JULY. CELEBRATING THAT WE WANT PEOPLE OF UNITED STATES ARE SAFE AND NO ONE GET INJURED DUE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER BRANCH OF SERVICES
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL, SINCE THE CAR HAS A IGNITION PROBLEM AND IT IS AT THE PUTNAM GM BURLINGAME TILL NOW THEY DON'T DO ANY OF RECALL EVEN DIAGNOSE THE CAR AND THEY WANT ME TO REMOVE IT NOW OR I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT DIFFERENT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FLICKERED VERY FAST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2000 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.
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 EV
Risk: IN THIS SITUATION, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A FORWARD GEAR, WHICH IS NOT PERMITTED BY THE STANDARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE 5TH/REVERSE INHIBITOR BY REMOVING A RETAINING PIN AND REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.
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.
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.
Risk: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-63
| Reliability raw | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | 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 581 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 112 of them (19%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (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 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 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 64/100. 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.