1999 Oldsmobile Alero GLS review from North America

Three months after I purchased the car, I began having what I thought was battery problems. I replaced the battery, but it went dead within two days. The alternator was bad, and needed replaced.

Since I have owned the car, I have had to put three sets of brake pads on.

My turn signals work when they want to, but I have found that gently fooling with the hazard light button seems to help for a while. The estimate I was given to fix the turn signal relay was around $400.00.

My cruise control has not worked in six months.

My driver's side window is the most recent problem. I believe it is the "relay" which is attached to the window motor which has gone bad. The estimate for this repair from a "mom & pop" shop was around $300.00.

Another problem is I have radiator hose or clamp which is bad. I have replaced both the hose and the clamp, yet I continue to lose coolant.

The fuse light in the car comes on several times while I am driving, seemingly for no apparent reason. I have taken it to the shop twice for this problem, and the mechanic was unable to find the problem.

Inside the trunk, there is a black plastic piece which covers the metal of the car. The plastic clips which hold it on are all broken. The piece now just sits in the trunk.

The dome light falls down about every other day.

The passenger side back seat door handle has not worked since late 2003. A mechanic told me that the handle and inside assembly needed replaced. That estimate, including parts, was $500.00.

I loved this car when I purchased it; it was a used car that was within my price range. Since owning it, however, I would not recommend this car to anyone.

The seats are very uncomfortable, and are of poor quality.

The inside door handles are very flimsy plastic which bend when you use them, as are all of the knobs and controls for the vehicle.

I do have the V6 model, and I have noticed that I get very poor gas mileage.

On a positive note, the car is quick and provides fairly good handling at higher speeds. The traction control also seems to be an asset of the car.