Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My son was driving down a road when the engine stopped running. He had no brakes or power steering causing him to leave the roadway and crash into a fence. The crash didn't deploy the airbag, but caused sever damage to the car, resulting in it being totaled. It was towed to a junk yard where it was sold as scrap. Fortunately my son was only slightly injured, and did not require medical attention. I contacted GM after receiving their recall notice in September, 2014. I spoke with a representative there asking just for the replacement cost of the car since the recall notice described exactly what happened when the car crashed. The representative declined the claim stating they could not inspect the car. The claim # is [redacted]. I feel this is unfair as at the time of the crash we were not aware of this recall notice and felt no obligation at the time to report it to GM. …
Failure happen again. The vehicle as taken to the dealer. The dealer replace. The cam sensor and crank sensor modulator. The vehicle was repaired however the failure happen again. The dealer then stated that could not duplicate the failure again. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure persisted. The failure was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated the fuel pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reocured shortly after. The dealer fuel pump would need to be repaired again. The vehicle was taken to another dealer. The dealer then stated the failure was caused because of a defective ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired. The failure did not reocured . The failure mileage was 107,650. Az
Purchased 2003 Alero on oct 8, 2009 on oct. 9th car would not start or jump, ABS and security light was on, radio turned off. Had it towed back to dealer who looked at it the next day and the car started right up and they could not duplicate the problem so they did not do any work to it. On oct 15 while my daughter was driving the vehicle onto the interstate the ABS light and security light came on and the steering wheel turned sharply to the left and she could not control the vehicle. This caused an accident with injuries. The diagnostic report was limited due to the extent of damage to the vehicle and the only code they could get to register was that the ABS code was on. Was told that the diagnostic did not show anything else but diagnostics was limited anyways because the vehicle was not drivable anymore.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving 30 MPH, the turn signals failed to function and smoke emitted from the top part of the steering column. In addition, while driving 55 MPH, the headlights and horn failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.
1. Security turns on while driving, making the vehicle to spin but not drive normally on road or highway when driving 2. Horn malfunctioning, stops working when security turns on while driving 3. Seatbelt warning and airbag light flashing when security turns on while driving, seatbelt becomes locked preventing driver from being able to move to check blind spots or rear while driving 4. Emergency lights become disabled when security lights turn on Key ignition was inspected and fixed according to recall. The above are things that have been noticed by new driver/owner. Only drive when necessary to avoid traffic accidents. Do not have money to pay a dealership or GM to check problems. These problems occurred since day 1 after purchasing the vehicle.
As I was merging onto the highway 496 from waverly rd in lansing headed east my car suddenly began shaking terribly and the next thing I knew the vehicle just shot to the right at increased speed causing me to hit a number of trees before finally stopping. My 5 year old son was in the backseat of the vehicle at the time. Once the tow truck came he determined that the tire rod broke on the vehicle causing the accident. This is a 2002 Alero still under warranty and had just been serviced July 14, 2005 for oil change tire pressure check and so forth.
I have a 2001 Alero. It has been having trouble steering intermittently. I brought it into the shop and they said it was the steering fluid gelling. It fixed my steering but still whined a little. I was driving home from work on the night stated below. I was turning to the on-ramp to the interstate and my steering completely failed. I was going about 30mph and probably 20-25mph as I was sent into the curb. The wheel that hit the curb folded under the car as the spindle broke. I was driving at the speed limit and there were no adverse conditions. I wouldn't have hit the curb if the steering hadn't gone out and even so, I don't think that at that speed that much damage should have happened. On top of all of that the air bag didn't go off. If this would have happened on the interstate (where I was heading) I would have ended up going into a ditch and flipping.
I noticed during the thanksgiving holiday 2014 that my turn signals work when they want to . I was turning right and my mom was riding with me when she noticed that my turn signals was not working left or right. So we made it to our doctors appointment and when we were leaving they working . It's weird because by changing the bulbs the turn signals are still going in and out when they want too. And we noticed light fluid leakage but it was not leaking in November when I brought my very own first car for cash and I had the oil changed so I took it back to jiffy lubes and the tech could not find a problem, this week January 21, 2014 my steering wheel is making this strange whistling noise when I make a turn, and my security light has came on and will not go off. So I decided to check the safety GM recall listing for help.
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel can come loose from the steering shaft because the steering wheel retaining nut could have been improperly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel retaining nut for correct tightness and tighten if necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Alero years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (30), 2000 (22), 2001 (17), 2003 (13) and 2002 (11) model years. Steering complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Alero steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-320 (steering wheel/handle bar, Dec 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Alero steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (11 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (9).
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.