Most common 2002 Oldsmobile Alero problems
Share of the 279 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Oldsmobile Alero complaints by model year
Best Alero years: 2004, 2003, 2002. Years to avoid: 2000, 1999, 2001. Compare all years →
2002 Oldsmobile Alero recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero:
Turn signal failures
In December 2004, GM issued a special policy for my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03V327. The policy covered turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurred first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch.
What 2002 Oldsmobile Alero owners say
Electrical system all 133 →
Kept cutting off won't stay crunk long ignition is jammed loud screeching noises from the springs alternator might be the reason electrical issues fuel pump I had to leave my car at a friend's place I'm not working due to the COVID pandemic not able to afford repairs I really need my transportation someone referred me to this site
I was driving along, I had defroster on, rear window defroster started smoking, melted the rear window trim and rear passenger panel. I stopped the car and turn off engine. Called fire department, took the car to the mechanic, found that the defroster module went bad. The defroster module and wire harness for rear window was replaced. Lots of smoke damage to interior of car.
Lights all 78 →
Just a couple of days after the purchase of the vehicle the brakes were making a bad scrubbing noise, and I had no turn signal at all I noticed a clicking sound coming from the hazard warning light .during the clicking sound the turn signal would work at times and I would smell something like a burning smell. While the car was park and no one around it the lights would come on inside and out by their self and this causes my battery to go dead and I have to boost it off. I have contacted the car dealer that I purchased it from and they were very rude and hateful and told me it was my problem and that there is nothing they can do about it. That they sold it to me at a good deal and they could not help me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the turn signal failed to operate and the hazard lights operated independently. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V327000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 82,762.
Engine & cooling all 41 →
2002 oldsmobile alero was driving on interstate and very low on fuel when i exited the interstate at the street light it turned green and as i was accelerating my car stalled out and since then ive pur 2 gallons of fuel in it and now it cranks but wont start up and now it back fires when trying to start it and my security light is off and I'm getting fuel pressure in the front rail and I got spark and yea my fuel pump is humming.
These cars are nightmares. I replaced the intake manifold gasket (extremely common issue, well documented online), the oil pressure sensor broke off the engine and leaked all of oil out, replaced the thermostat, learned how to deal with a constantly defective security system (passlock defect causes a no start, extremely common and well documented online), and now the car will crank but not fire (also extremely common, but due to the nature of the problem, the online resources can only provide one of a hundred different places to start attempting to diagnose). A no start should not require a mechanic to throw a full battery of tests at the car. There is no way this car should have been legal to sell, it is a money pit and a hazard to anybody around them. …
2002 Oldsmobile Alero engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero a good car?
Based on 279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Alero rates average: 29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Alero at the same age. It is one of the best Alero years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?
The electrical system — 133 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the lights (78) and engine & cooling (41).
How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Oldsmobile Alero?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1999 and 2001. See the full Oldsmobile Alero years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Oldsmobile Alero problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.