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 376 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 63 | 17% |
| Exterior lighting | 45 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 29 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 7% |
| Visibility | 20 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 3% |
| Air bags | 11 | 3% |
| Suspension | 11 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 3% |
| Power train | 9 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The car will shut off while driving/idling. There are no check engine lights. Took it to get the latest recall fixed that had to do with this and they just gave us new keys. It did not remedy the situation! Now we are pa
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manu
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
While driving the vehicle the car shut off while ignition was on. No warning whatsoever
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Electrical ground wire to Alternator burnt out; caused battery to lose charged replaced twice within 2 years.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FOR SOME TIME THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT SEEMED LIKE I HAD MORE TROUBLE WITH THEM IF IT WAS VERY HOT AND HUMID OUTSIDE. THEN, THE TURN SIGNALS TRIGGERED THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO COME ON. THE TURN SIG
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AIR COMING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DO A TURNAROUND OR BACK AROUND IN A SLOW POSITION FROM A START POSISTION. SO IM NOT GETTING MY GAS MILEAGES WORTH NOR CAN I DO A UTU
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COIL RECALL NOTICE STATES SAME PROBLEM AS CONSUMER BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE ACCIDENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPY PATC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
JUST GOT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALER AND THERE IS A GAS LEAK ALSO THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR ON ACCELERATION I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN AND WIGGLE IT TO GET IT OFF AND THERE'S A O-RING SENSOR LEAK CAN'T PA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 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 | 55 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 376 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 63 of them (17%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 55/100 (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 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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 63/100. 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.