2002 Oldsmobile Alero
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 133 of 279 complaints (48%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 364 in 2001 to 279 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,850 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,300–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 22–23 | 21–25 | 21–25 | 21–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 28–29 | 19 / 27–29 | 18–22 / 27–30 | 18–22 / 27–30 | 18–23 / 27–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 386–404 | 355–423 | 355–423 | 329–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 557 | 364 | 279 | 184 | 109 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 20 | 11 | 18 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 20 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?
Electrical: 133 of 279 NHTSA complaints (48%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero get?
EPA rates it 21–25 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 133 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 91 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V400000 · Jul 7, 2014
Defect: 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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.