Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 279 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V400000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 133 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 78 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 28 complaints
- Visibility 15 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 14 complaints
- Engine 13 complaints
Of the 279 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 279 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero has a below-average reliability rating, primarily due to high complaint numbers related to the electrical system and exterior lighting. The presence of two significant recalls further indicates potential safety and reliability issues. Although complaint details provide some insight, the evidence is limited, and more data would improve accuracy.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$1,000 | very common |
| Exterior lighting | 60,000–90,000 miles | $100–$400 | common |
| Engine and cooling | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and servicing
- Cooling system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Spark plug replacement
- Tire rotations and alignment
- Battery health check
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Dim or flickering lights
- Malfunctioning electrical components
- Unusual engine noises
- Overheating engine
- Solid or flashing check engine light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.