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 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, and it carries 3 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 | 56 | 30% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 5% |
| Air bags | 8 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% |
| Engine | 4 | 2% |
| Tires | 4 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owned a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and crossing an intersection, a speeding police vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the front driver's
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Driving and everything quit but the engine nothing on the dash worked, door locks unlocked lost headlights, radio anything Electrical was gone
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1200 MILES AFTER J02 RECALL CAR RUNS SLUGGISH GOING UP CANYON. STOP CAR AND ENGINE IS MISFIRING. TURN AROUND AND COAST DOWNHILL IN NEUTRAL UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON THEN STOP AND PARK CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS. CALLE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES HER AND THERE HAS HAD A FUEL LEAK FOR AWHILE NOW AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL NOT START..
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CAR RANDOMLY BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AS HA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
CONTINUATION OF A PRIOR COMPLAINT (10908068). ON 9/20/16, PRIOR DEFECTIVE STARFIRE RS-C 2.0 ULTIMATE TOURING TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SIMILAR STARFIRE TIRE (U30H LDJ) AT PEP BOYS. PAID $42.41 (TIRE HANDLING CHARGE, WH
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 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 PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERAT
Risk: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CH
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.
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 56 of them (30%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (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 2003 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.