2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL

Summary:

Piece of Crap

Faults:

Like many Alero owners the door is buckling where it meets the bottom of the window. It was like that when I bought it.

The lowest three settings on my fan stopped working at 40,000 miles.

My security light goes on when I drive it. That started around 50,000 miles. Now when I go to start my car I have a 25% chance that it won't start and then I have to wait 10 minutes and try again. I called Alero and they told me there was nothing they could do.

Was told by Alero that there was no tricks that I could do to make my car start after the security light went on. I was told by a tow truck driver that I had to lock the door three times with my remote and then manually unlock the car with my key and that will start it. It works!

My sisters dashboard started buckling and she bought hers brand new as a lease. Luckily because it was a lease they fixed it. That was at 12,000 miles.

General Comments:

I would not wish anybody to drive an Alero. There are many websites out there that tell you how many people have Alero's and cannot stand them. The problem is that my Alero is worth $2,500 or less at a dealership and I owe well over $5,000. I really wish that Oldsmobile cared about their cars and customers. I beg you, do not buy an Alero!! If somebody would have told me this before I bought mine, I would have never bought it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th April, 2005

10th Jun 2005, 10:06

I've had the same problem with my security light. Never know when or if the car will start. I've been told that I need a new ignition, but yet they can't guarantee that will correct the problem. I'm not wasting my money on that!

13th Jun 2005, 15:13

If it's the passkey system (which happened with my Alero for ages), you need to lock all the doors, then turn the key once to the left, then wait 25 minutes. It's some sort of voodoo dance/reset thing that the GM Assistance line told me to do.

1st Aug 2005, 21:19

I bought my 99 Alero GL new and it now has 68,000 miles. I drive it an avg. or about 1500 miles a week now back and forth from Sebring, FL to Miami, FL. I've never broke down or had any major problems. At this time however, I do need from struts. They have started making a knocking noise at low speeds. Also, after getting my windows tinted, the front passenger window clips have broke. I really like the cars looks, and the car overall. I think that a lot of people don't take good care of their cars, and that is why they have so many problems with them. Take better care of your car, and you won't have so many issues.

2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL 3.4 liter V6

Summary:

If there was ever a car that needed to be recalled entirely, this is it

Faults:

Fan does not run in first 2 positions.

Passenger side rear Speaker quit working.

Rattle up front during warranty period, Dealer replaced front strut mounts.

Anti-lock and traction control lights came on - Failed Wheel speed sensors 50,000 miles.

Replaced sensor failed 3000 miles after replacement.

Rear strut mounts rattling over bumps.

Transmission sometimes slips when going from reverse to Drive, if I drop to low and back into Drive it takes off. Can be dangerous when backing into traffic.

General Comments:

The 3.4 V6 is very peppy and has been reliable thus far. (98,000; knock on wood)

The downfall seems to be with the suspension and brake components. I have had more thumps, rattles and vibrations with this car in the first 50,000 than I had through the entire 240,000 I put on my Saturn.

The traction-control anti-lock system is dependent on electronics that fail quickly and often. The brake pads seem to where quickly, with the inside pad wearing faster then the outside pad.

It is impossible to get to a comfortable temperature with heat or air, with the faulty fan switch.

I do not understand how recalls work when I read of all the problems with this car on the Internet; and the only recall was to fix a glove box latch?

When your anti-lock brakes don't work that is not a safety hazard?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th March, 2005