Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Oldsmobile Alero owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1999 Oldsmobile Alero (out of warranty) began to have problems with transmission "slipping" occasionally during the summer. I was told no problem could be found. While driving home last evening, the service engine soon light came on as well as the "trac off" light and it was very hard to get the car to go more than 30 MPH on a 50 MPH highway very nearly causing an accident. By the grace of god, that did not happen, but now I am told that the transmission May "possibly be bad" or it "could be several other things." in either case, it would seem to me that someone should have found the error before. Additionally, the car has less than 65,000 miles on it and though it was sluggish from the time I bought it and would occasionally lurch forward when pulling away from a stop, it was not until the summer that it became a frequent as opposed to a rare occurrence. …
I have had an 99' Oldsmobile Alero for 7 years. It has had almost every problem listed on this website. It has had an over heating problem every year since I got it and I have spent thousands in repairs for the cooling system, fuel pump, poor interior manufacturer, ac/heater blower motor settings failure, fuel gauge failure, transmission leakage, poor springs/struts, gear slipping, hard starting, water leaking in from rain under glove compartment, off alignment (set three times in year), poor gas mileage, overheating or running above normal temperature and sudden overheating without notice of gauge lights or sounds. Has had front right caliper failure locking brake pads down against rotor causing burnout of pads,rotor warping, caliper cylinder damage. Has had power steering pump leakage. …
1999 olds Alero 3.4l; stopped at traffic light, at idle in drive, speedometer pegged to 140mph, and held for ~10 sec. Upon chaning of the light, I tried to accelerate, and throttle was not available, similar to what occurs when the speed limiter is exceeded. The condition occured for an additional 10 seconds, then returned to normal speed reporting and engine operation. No ses light not traction control alret were witnessed during the event. Subsequent reading of the ECM trouble codes shows no 'snapshot' data of an impending fault.
Occasionally, vehicle will not start after sitting for about an hour...vehicle will try to start...tachometer will fluctuate, but the engine ends up stalling. In order to start the vehicle, the ignition key has to be held in the start position longer than usual...about 5 seconds. Took to various dealer service dept. Several times, but nothing wrong could be found by them. Vehicle is now out of manufacture's warranty...contacted manufacture for assistance, but none given.
1. Persistant scraping noise from ft end since 10/21/01. Cavendar mechanics evaluted problem 4-6 separate times w/ different prognosis each time, later determined transmission problems on 3/18/02. Currently still having same scraping noise and fluid(redish) leakage from underneath vehicle 2. 3 window motors failed /repaired 3. Twice alternator failure/repaired w/2 seperate alts
Automatic transmission will not shift into 3rd or 4th gear, anymore. Roars loudly rather than shifts. When I take my foot off the accelerator at 30+ MPH car acts like cruise control is on - decelerates extremely slow. Rpms stay at 2200+ at 35 MPH. Also now a little higher on temperature gauge.
Bad vibration at highway speeds.had wheels aligned,tires balanced, tie rods ,both front axles, both front bearings, front disc brakes(rotors and pads), both front struts replaced. Vibration at times gets bad enough to lose control. None of the above solutions fixed the problem.
Car would not exceed between 30-40 MPH. At the time I was on major highway where the speed limit is 65 MPH. Transmission was found to be damaged and was consequently replaced with used transmission supplied by purchased warranty to auto shop.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a rattling sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle and replaced the front hubs and wheel bearings. Also, vehicle used an excessive amount of oil and coolant.
1999 olds Alero gls, bought the car in May,2004 with 23,000 miles on it. From day 1 I have had nothing but problems with it mostly brakes, car has extended warranty on it. The rotors grind, pulsate, squeak, the calipers make cracking noises sometimes brake pedal goes to floor. The dealership refuses to fix the problem or says it will not do it for the mechanic, when I drop it off I allowed the service manager to hear it he also verified the sound, only to get the car back being told it won't do it. The rotors have been replaced 4x the brakes 3x the calipers 2x, I still have the problem. Cd player will not work told by dealership it is the humidity doing it which I live in philadelphia and it is winter there is no humidity. …
Transmission complaints in other Alero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, 7% of the model year's 462 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Oldsmobile Alero transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Oldsmobile Alero transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.