Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 first time it stopped working, I thought maybe I had just a burned out signal lamp, but then it started working again. It was pretty random at first, but now it will not work at all, or it will start working blink twice and then just stop. It May be "dead" for a long while and then just start back up. Usually it just doesn't work at all anymore. I have driven down the highway with it turned on and it will be 5-10 minutes later and it will start blinking again. I see there is/was a recall for this exact problem, for model years 2000-2001 and I have a 2001, but they claim my vehicle is not part of the recall. The recall is 03V327000, or GM recall 03043a. The a was because they expanded it to include these two model years from an original recall. I talked to Oldsmobile directly and they say it is not part of the recall. …
Blinkers intermittently work. Every time I take it in for diagnosis and repair the blinkers work just fine and I can't get them to not work. Normally they will work immediately after turning on engine, then after a few turns stop working. Other times they will not work at all upon turning on engine. When the problem first began, I could turn on the left and right signal a few times and then the blinkers would work. Now it has gotten so bad this no longer works. My VIN falls just outside the recall number c258800 so a dealer is working with me to see if they can get it covered. This is a serious safety risk to yourself and other drivers! I have learned that the flasher assembly is generally what needs to be replaced which about $40.00 plus tax and labor. …
I was switching lanes and flashed my turn signal to switch lane. When I let go of the turn signal, the relay behind the hazard light button started to click like the turn signal was still on. This is an intermittent click and is not consistent. Sometimes it clicks fast and sometimes it clicks slow. I found recall 03V327000 and thought this was the problem. The dealership performed this recall and the click is still occurring. I have read that there has been issues with multi-function switches in other GM vehicles which causes a clicking of the hazard light button. Also, the key is getting warm when it is in the ignition. I am afraid this constant clicking of the relay will cause the turn signals from working which could result in an accident.
Turn signal intermittent and safety flashers inoperative at same time. Doesn't matter if it's in motion, stationary, on city street, highway, etc., happens approx. 5 minutes after being used. I took my car to a local station and they couldn't repair it due to intermittent problem at first. Took to different service repair and they knew immediately of the recall and said it needed a 4 way flasher switch assembly, and to take it to my local GM dealer for repair and when I did, they declined it..!! Recall: NHTSA campaign #14V400000. Immediately after I bought this car from the dealership, prostrollo auto mall, madison, sd..I had this problem...it came with the car, shouldn't this have been fixed by the dealership before the sale..?
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the turn signals failed to activate. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 03V327000 exterior lighting. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 270,000. ....updated 01/23/15 the consumer stated while sitting at a traffic light or driving 60 MPH, the turn signals would not operate. It was an intermittent problem but when it happened, pressing the hazard button caused the turned signals to work. The vehicle was to a local repair shop, but the turn signals worked at the time. Updated 02/18/15.
My turn signals and hazard lights have intermittently been completely ceasing to work. This comes and goes, but sometimes will be temporarily remedied if I push the hazard button and then release it. In researching NHTSA, I found NHTSA recall 03V327000 which perfectly mirrors the symptoms I am having. Unfortunately, when I contacted GM regarding the recall, they said my VIN does not fall within the range. I feel this failure is related. My VIN is [redacted]. The file number with [redacted]. At this point, they say they can't help me since my VIN doesn't fall within their range associated with this recall. Updated 07/12/2012
We have the same problem as GM recall 03043 for 2001 Oldsmobile Alero models, but are told our VIN is not included in the recall. Why? We have a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. Turn signals are intermittently inoperative. Directly related to the hazard warning lights. If you mess with the hazards, turning on and off, you maybe might get your turn signals to work intermittently. This is what the recall is directly about, but when our VIN is entered into recall data base, it says no recalls for this VIN. Doesn't make sense to us. Very dangerous to drive without turn signals. Please advise. [redacted]
Service vehicle soon, trac off light, and ABS light took to dealer, out of warranty, private repair shop, cost-$500, grinding noise before lights turned on, dinging,lights went on, it was sensor in left front wheel bearing. Also have replaced front rotors, alternator at 65,000 miles. Key fob doesn''t lock drivers door. Hood on car replaced in 2006 under warranty because of blistering 2002-water leak onto drivers floor, 5 times to dealer, replaced side door gasket, problem had to be solved by replacing windshield gasket. I'm afraid of all these complaints about turn signal failure and hazard light failure and the car just quitting. Trading in this piece of **** as soon as paid off.
The safety hazard switch as well as the turning signal switch is not working properly on my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. I later found out that there was a recall for this problem. I contacted the GM dealership and the told me " since your car is over 100,000 miles and it's showing that the car was repaired once with same incident with the previous owner, that they could not assist the problem". I have had the signal switch replaced, later to find out that wasn't the problem ( which cost $150). I feel that this is a very big safety hazard for me and my small child because this could result in a injury crash if someone runs into the back of me, please help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when she noticed that the turn signals and hazard lights would not illuminate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 03V327000 (exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 01/15/13 updated 1/23/2013
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that May experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
NHTSA investigations
Turn signal failures
By letter dated August 27, 2003, GM notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03V327) involving certain model year (my) 2000-2001 Chevrolet malibu, Oldsmobile alero, and Pontiac grand am.GM's recall covers 670,740 vehicles manufactured beginning February 1, 2000 through May 1, 2001 (alero and grand am) and February 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001 (malibu).GM reports that turn…
Headlight complaints in other Alero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero, 19% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is hazard flashing warning lights › switch (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Oldsmobile Alero headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-327 (switch, Aug 28, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Oldsmobile Alero headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.