Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Ignition Switch may Turn Off
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
GM/FMVSS 124/ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM
- Summary
- 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 OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
- Consequence
- FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (184)
184 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 184 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 103 | 56% |
| Air bags | 24 | 13% |
| Engine | 17 | 9.2% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 8.2% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 7.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 7.6% |
| Steering | 13 | 7.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 6.5% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 6% |
| Visibility | 11 | 6% |
How 2003 compares with other Alero years
Best and worst Alero years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 462 | 3 |
| 2000 | 557 | 4 |
| 2001 | 364 | 4 |
| 2002 | 279 | 1 |
| 2003 | 184 | 2 |
| 2004 | 109 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 3.4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Alero for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Oldsmobile Alero FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 14V400000 (electrical), 04V528000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Oldsmobile Alero problems?
Owners filed 184 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (103), Air bags (24), Engine (17) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Oldsmobile Alero get?
EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 21 city, 30 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 Alero compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2004 Oldsmobile Alero model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2000 the most (557). The 2003 drew 184. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.