Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Oldsmobile Alero has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 109 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 57 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 21 complaints
- Air Bags 13 complaints
- Engine 13 complaints
- Power Train 6 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 6 complaints
Of the 109 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 109 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Oldsmobile Alero has significant recalls concerning the ignition's impact on airbag function and fuel system issues. It also receives numerous complaints about electrical, lighting, and engine problems, indicating below-average reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $150–$600 | very common |
| exterior lighting | 60,000–110,000 miles | $100–$300 | common |
| engine | 70,000–130,000 miles | $500–$2,000 | common |
| service brakes | 30,000–70,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
| fuel system | 50,000–90,000 miles | $250–$700 | 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 replacements
- Tire rotations and alignments
- Coolant flushes
- Transmission fluid changes
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfires
- Frequent electrical issues
- Brake pedal stiffness
- Fuel smell near vehicle
- Dim or flickering headlights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.