Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 bought my car with 14 miles on it. In the first year, I had to have the molding on the doors replaced because they leaked. The drivers side window fell into the door. I've been told that it is my regulator that needs to be replaced. I also found a broken clip just sitting inside my door. You can't buy just a regulator or clips so I will need to buy those parts plus the motor which will cost at least $280. My rotors also needed to be shaved down because they were warped and my brakes needed to be replaced and now, only 5 months later, they need to be totally replaced because they are warped again and my brakes will have to be replaced as well. This is the worst car I've ever owned! My first and last experience I will ever have with GM!! I realize things happen to cars, but I would expect Oldsmobile to acknowledge these re-occurring problems and be held accountable to fix them.
Driver's side window motor has been replaced three times in the last 4 years. Rear driver's side window motor has also been replaced in the last year. Amazing how this keeps happening over and over again. Also, my horn has gone off in the middle of the night several times without anything setting it off. There is no way to turn it off once it goes. Each time it was 3 or 4 in the morning and each time I had to drive to a remote location just to disconnect the horn. Of course, the first couple of times I had no idea how to do this but after a while you get to know these things. I have had the horn replaced on several occasions without any success. Now I am being told that it is the horn pads located in the steering wheel. Of course, that is another $800 - $1000 job on top of the 4 windows that cost about $400 each and the horns with ran me about $150 to $200 each.
Locked up ignition switch cruise control fell apart gear shift shifter not secure and slides up the shift.. Both oxygen sensors failed all four windows electric motors, and racks have been replaced front end vibration when stopped or parked on incline dash board leather cover came loose and rolled up like a used rug original fuel filter have to be pried out of line and then pieces left had to be removed with needle nose pliers. Fuel gauge as never worked. Now its running about 4 miles and then quits, sets for 30 minutes and drive another 4 miles then quits. Code reader says engine running lean, (problem is 4 to 5 sensors including the injectors could be causing this, no way to tell with replacing them until it runs. The expense of this could be 1000 to 3000 dollars. Electric door locks failed , replace switch, only works part of the time.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact was experiencing issues with the driver's side door regulator and motor. In addition, the rubber channel that is located inside the window was not tight and could cause the window to fall out and shatter. The window failure was repaired at the contact's expense. He also stated that the fuel system pressure regulator was failing. He heard a ticking noise and the vehicle drove differently. The dealer refused to diagnose the vehicle because it was no longer under warranty. The contact also believed that the steering wheel was not steering correctly. The dealer still refused to inspect the vehicle. The contact would like his complaint to be a priority because he is a vietnam veteran with multiple physical challenges and a limited income. The failure mileage was 10,375 and current mileage was 13,000.
On the way from work one day after a rain shower, I use the power driver window to roll down the window for some fresh air. When I power rolled up the window, there were deep scratches on various places on the window. TSB#98831520 took to dealer service dept to repair under warranty. It was fixed but three days later it was scratched again in the same manner. Took back to dealer service to repair...okay. Later other three window had scratches due to use. All replaced, but now three of the four windows (passenger front and rear and driver rear) have scratches. There was a TSB issued for this problem, but the problem was never fixed. Now the manufacture warranty has expired. Contacted manufacture for assistance but no help offered.
Drivers side window mechanism broken. Window fell while driving on interstate. What was found after door inside panel taken off was many broken plastic clips. These clips attach to the window and window regulator. After investigation through several olds dealers and used car parts dealers was that this is a known problem for which a service bulletin is in effect. Of note, you cannot purchase replacement clips for the window. In order to correct the problem, you must purchase the entire window motor, regulator and clips for which are not guaranteed to not break again. This unit costs over $250. We feel that this is a safety violation due to the fact that the slightest nick in the window can cause fatal damage if driven down the road.
I have had 3 of the 4 regulator motors go out on my front driver's side, back drivers and passengers side. I have only had the front drivers side repaired as the dealer quoted me a price of $400 to fix each one. The front one broke while still under warranty, so that was fixed. Each time this happened as the window was rolled down or up. There was a loud clunking noise and the window just fell down. This is especially annoying since I have 2 small kids and their windows won't stay up. There has got to be some sort of defect, since I've read a number of reports about this same thing, and since it's happened to 3 of my 4 windows. I have a feeling it's about to happen to the front passenger side too, as that window won't roll down.
Both the driver and the passenger windows fell off the tracks, so I had a friend pry them up and he got the windows to stay up, but you could not use either window. I did not have the money to get the windows fixed for a while until I was finally able to afford to get the driver's window fixed in May 2008 which cost $385.00. They replaced the regulator. On 12/4/2008, it happened yet again to the driver's side window and the warranty was only good for 60 days labor/30days parts, so I am yet again not able to use either window. I was told by quite a few people that this is a very common problem and that if I got it fixed yet again, it would probably happen yet again. I did not see this defect listed on the recall list however.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact activated the turn signals to switch lanes. The hazard light switch began making a rapid, loud clicking noise that lasted for an hour. She took her vehicle to the dealer and they stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V327000 (exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch). The failure has not been corrected. The contact also had to replace the window regulators five times because the plastic breaks and causes the regulators to fail. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The powertrain was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 142,000.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Alero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, 10% of the model year's 462 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Oldsmobile Alero window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 14% 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.