2001 Oldsmobile Alero GS 2.4L from North America

Summary:

Good car for the money

Faults:

The turn signal has stopped working most of the time.

A few small problems with transmission, but my great mechanic added an additive to solve it.

General Comments:

At first I thought this is going to be a troublesome car.

I did have a few problems, however even with brutal teenagers driving, it has continued to run to almost 140,000.

Interior has held up well.

We have had several foreign cars with just as many problems, but service/parts were much more expensive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th April, 2008

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GL?? V6 Coupe V6 from North America

Summary:

Some problems, but reasonable

Faults:

Tomorrow will be the 3rd set of brakes - Calipers this time too as the bleeders are seized. (3 sets of tires so far)

At about 56000 miles I had the infamous "engine coolant" light go off, which meant that the head gasket needed to be replaced (of course this was the last month that I had to make a payment).

At 100,000 miles the rear defroster stopped working - the fix was $300 because the whole part had overheated and melted.

Just had to replace my front drivers side seat as the mechanics stopped working, and replacing was cheaper than the needed parts.

General Comments:

I guess I'm pretty lucky compared to most others. I got the car at a very reasonable price with the owner loyalty, GM card points; dad being an employee of the dealership etc. And have been able to go 24 months without making a payment. Yes, the fixes suck, but so far they are still cheaper than having a monthly payment.

I like my car. It fits me well, but I can't say that I would buy another if they were still making them. I just started looking at Accords, and you just can't beat the resale. I'll be lucky if I can sell mine for $2500.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st March, 2008

2001 Oldsmobile Alero 2.4 from North America

Summary:

This car is the most stylish piece of crap on the road

Faults:

I purchased the car from my sister at which time she informed me she had brought the car in twice to the dealer for brake problems which she was assured had been corrected. At about 60000 km just as the warranty expired the brakes along with just about everything else began to self destruct. I am a 43 year old male and a very gentle driver so I take no responsibility for the failure of this vehicle.

Every 20000km pads and rotors replaced.

Fan control and heater failed at 65000 km.

Turning lamps worked intermittently, relay replaced

At 70000 km both front wheel bearings ABS sensors replaced at cost of 800$ and 3 months later failed again.

Engine light came on at 80000km, emissions sensor.

Paint began peeling off at 85000km.

When I finally sold the car at 135000km every warning light was on, but the mechanics told me it was all sensor problems.

General Comments:

Women liked the styling and comfort of the vehicle and the car performed well on the highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th March, 2008

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GL from North America

Summary:

Once the warranty expires it's all downhill from there!

General Comments:

I bought a 2001 Alero new from a dealership. My first new car. I loved this car when I saw it, I just had to have it. Last time I pick a car purely on the look of it, but I'm a girl so you live and learn apparently. Here's the problems I've had:

- Cylinder replaced (still under warranty)

- Brakes only last about 15-20K including rotors.

- Windows don't roll down all the time (corrosion in the wires within the door), costs $70 to fix so I've left the passenger side up for a couple years now and just keep the driver's side working.

- Two wheel bearings - $200 each.

- Second dome light that hangs now (I just pushed it up above the ceiling liner since apparently replacing it doesn't mean it will work)

- Radio buttons' paint flakes off.

- Blinker problem, with mine the noise never shut off especially on warmer days. I could turn once and the sound would remain on until I got home just a little faster than when the blinker was actually on. Then my steering column started smoking on top of it all. That was over $200 to fix.

- Right now my car has been dying when I come to a stop. The RPMs drop to nothing and the car stalls. It happened once, but it was a really cold day so I didn't worry too much about it. Then it did it again and the third time it wouldn't start back up so it had to be towed. I was told it was the battery so that was replaced (at dealership prices almost $300...nice) and now a week later it did it again. I have it in right now and all they could come up with is to clean the body throttle. We'll see if this $120 helps at all.

I actually have a list from Firestone of the things that will be going out soon. They are honest enough to tell me that I don't need to fix them immediately that they are just wearing out. They are common problems with Aleros and other cars built on that platform. The cost to fix the list of problems is actually almost as much as the car is worth.

I will definitely be taking advantage of the internet and forums such as these when I buy my next car since this one never would have been bought!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st February, 2008