Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Oldsmobile Alero owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 paying to fix it because it is still shutting off while driving.
After having recall of ign. Key performed, the key became hard to turn on, catching and having to wiggle to start the engine. Vehicle has stalled while driving 3 times, loosing power breaks and steering, coast to stop, and vehicle starts again. Feel this is directly connected and caused by the faulty key and ignition system, appears the faulty key has caused the tumbler to wear-out, and any jarring of the key and or dash results in ignition to shut off. I have contacted GM and they refuse to address the problem, saying this recall would not cause the system to fail.. Saying because of the high mileage on the vehicle, it is not there fault. And I must pay for the repair.. But I pray to differ, if the defective key and ign. Unit were not at fault, then the key/tumbler would not have worn-out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the ignition failed and caused the engine to stall while driving 55 MPH. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the guardrail. The contact suffered injuries to the left shoulder and neck, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The driver was able to restart the engine and the vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) in September of 2014; however, the part was not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The key remained in the off position and failed to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v40000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000. Updated 6/30/15 the engine and fuel pump were replaced. Updated 07/02/15
While driving the vehicle the car shut off while ignition was on. No warning whatsoever
2001 Alero (2 dr. Coupe) I have been on several sites and am finding many Alero owners having the same problems that I have encountered over the last couple of years. Fuel pump, wheel hub assemblies, intake manifold gaskets, power window failure(grinding/breaking clips/regulators), serv engine and traction control lights constantly on, electrical problems, brake problems etc. It is my belief that olds knew they weren't making this car anymore, and sent a sub-par product out into the market "hoping" to get away with as few recalls as possible. I have numerous complaints filed with olds and general motors. General motors has gone way out and offered me a $500.00 certificate towards the purchase of a new vehicle. Give me one reason I should go through another nightmare like this one. …
On Wednesday, feb 8, 2006 three lights came on in my car at the same time. They are 'service vehicle soon, trac off, & anti-lock'. These lights have continued coming on since. Week before these lights had came on. I had new hub bearings put on my car. Then once this was done about 3-4 days later these lights came. I have taken two 3 garages to have this looked at and they which they have put a computer hooked up to my car to check for any codes while the lights were on. There were no codes showing for my car. Yesterday, Tuesday, feb 14, 2006, I was coming to a stop at a stop sign when I heard a grinding noise which I was pressing the brake in and was able to stop with two pumps to the barkes.came to a stop. . If there were to be someone ahead of me I would have rear-ended this person or maybe even rolled right into oncoming traffic in the intersection. …
Ran a diagnostics test at a parts store and came back about the "intake air temperature circuit high input." I didn't think much about it, but the part is relatively cheap, I just don't know if I can replace that myself. But when I registered my vehicle it came back as a fail on the emissions test for the state due to this part. While looking it up and checking on line about this issue I saw several entries that it May also affect the warning lights for ABS and braking systems. Those have been on as well for a long time. I have had the brakes replaced twice in the past 2 years. The second time was because they had given me defective brake pads the first time and they were worn out with in 3 months. …
2001 Oldsmobile Alero 3.4l v6 - engine racing - high idle 2004-2010 this has been an off and on problem the entire time I have owned the vehicle the past 6 years and might happen for 2-3 weeks and then not again for a few months. When I start my car it will be idling at 3,500 rpms or more, if I put it in drive it will go back to 1,500 rpms, but the car will start to accelerate by itself (the accelerator is not being pushed and is not stuck). It takes about 20-30 seconds if on flat ground, but the car will get up to 55mph by itself. If I am going down hill it goes even faster. If stopped at a stop light the engine sounds like it is trying to go 60mphs. Sometimes the problem ceases if I shut the car off and restart, but this does not always work. …
My car would turn over, but wasn't getting any fuel to the engine. The service engine soon light came on and there had to be code stored in the computer, but the dealer couldn't find a problem with the engine. They also ran my battery down attempting to start the car the first time and first diagnosed it as a dead battery. Then the dealer "diagnosed" it as a problem with the oe alarm and that it needed resetting. Then three days after it was "repaired" it did the same thing and yet again it was towed to the same dealer and diagnosed and repaired the same way as the first time again. The problem I have is that if it ever failled to restart in an emergency or in dangerous place, that it could cause and injury/death and serious damage. If this problem just now happened twice within two weeks and I've had the car 2.5 years, then that should tell the dealer that there is a problem.
Engine complaints in other Alero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, 17% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is engine (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Oldsmobile Alero engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, though it has 4 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 2001 Oldsmobile Alero engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.