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 2002 Oldsmobile Alero owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
It just started after the security got lock and had to be over drive. When you drive you can feel the car idle bad when you have to stop for a light or stop sign or if you have to stop to turn and you get below 1 mga turns off. Yesterday it did this and turn off and all it would do is just turns but doesn't start. In the middle of the road. It sounds to me like it's not get fuel or air where it needs to be. You can drive the speed limit and watch the mga, I think, 1,2,3, ildel down a little. Started end of sept or no troubler
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. While exiting a parking lot, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and it was able to drive normally; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. Also, smoke started to emit from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 147.
I was on my way to work on 3/13/11 driving my 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, and my car started filling up with black smoke. I immediately pulled over and got out of my car, I suddenly saw flames inside of my vehicle . I called the fire department and by the time they put out the fire my car was totaled.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero with a current and failure mileage of 181,000 miles. While driving at 35 MPH began decelerating and the vehicle lost power with no warning in the middle of the road. The weather was sunny and 75 degrees. She was able to restart the vehicle after 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed her that the vehicle was part of recall 07e021000 for fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices. The recalled failure could result in a fire, but the contact had not experienced the recall failure to date. She spoke with delphi, GM and Oldsmobile dealers, and none of the dealers were willing to complete the recall work free of charge. The consumer stated the dealership is asking for additional monies besides the $417.21 that was already paid. …
Blinkers work sometimes and sometimes not.. Most of the time they will work if you press the hazard lights if they work.. And keep playing with the blinkers eventually they turn signal will turn on.. Extremely frustrating!! Now I see.. Some have been recalled..my make and model haven't???? Its the exact same problem!! I have this well documented as I bought this car new. GM had no problems taking my money for their car, now will not stand behind their product, go figure!!! I've had the 10 min reset going on now with the engine for about 3 yrs again extremely frustrating!!! But this time..my car died on the street in traffic and would not start would crank over but did not re- start and will not! This car has 117000 miles on it and is in perfect shape I have to take care of the things I own!!! …
My car had something go wrong with the intake gaskets to where the plastic melted to the engine, the car had to be taken in for several days and the engine had to be taken out and cleaned and all of the intake gaskets were replaced. The car still does not run properly, when attempting to pick up speed or climb a hill the car does not shift and at times looses speed. This continues to this day, the dealer states nothing is wrong. The gas needle will read full and then the car will run out of gas this has happened on the middle of the highway leaving me stranded and several times around town. The dealer stated that they replaced the gas sensors. The car still does not run properly with less than half a tank of gas. The defroster, air conditioner and heat still after several trips in do not heat up or cool down the car. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that she was unable to restart the vehicle after it was parked. The dealer stated that the ignition and the fuel pump caused the failure and they made the replacement. Approximately a year and a half later, the failure recurred. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The dealer stated that there was a malfunction with the security system and was unable to duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the electrical harness. The contact also stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and then shut off. The dealer stated that the timing chain failed and made the repair. The failure mileage was 22,000 and current mileage was 58,000.
Engine complaints in other Alero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, 15% of the model year's 279 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Oldsmobile Alero engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero, though it has 1 recall 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 2002 Oldsmobile Alero engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries 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.