2004 Oldsmobile Alero GL 4 cylinder from North America
Summary:
Not a good idea
Faults:
What hasn't gone wrong with this car?!? It seems that every time that I turn around, there is something else that needs to be fixed.
Brakes needed to be replaced at 20,000 miles (this car eats through brakes like nothing I have ever seen before - and I am not rough on the car or brakes at all!)
Strut mounts needed to be replaced at 23,000 miles. I started to hear a crunching noise when my car would hit a bump, and I took it into the dealer (thank goodness I had bought the extended warranty with the car). They replaced a few other things before they were able to determine that the strut mounts were causing the problem. Of course when you have those replaced, an alignment is needed as well.
Caliper seized at 25,000 miles. The passenger side caliper seized, and unfortunately didn't produce any symptoms. I drove around all summer without knowing that anything was wrong - there was no shaking of the wheel, pulling, or anything. I simply had taken it in to have the oil changed, and I decided to have the tires rotated (thankfully!) when they discovered this problem (and I had just put on new brakes 5,000 miles prior). The pad was completely gone and it had worn out all of my other brakes too! It would have cost me $4,000, but I had the extended warranty, so thankfully I didn't have to pay for it, besides the time and frustration).
The gas pedal tends to stick in the cold weather, which is annoying because I know that I'm just using up more of my brakes to stop the car.
I'm just waiting for something else to go wrong with this car. Can anyone say lemon?!?!
General Comments:
This car is sluggish and doesn't accelerate well until you have the pedal down on the floor.
The seats are comfortable after I added lumbar supports.
The radio, CD player, and instrument panel have never given me any issues.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 2nd August, 2010
15th Apr 2012, 15:48
I wrote a review on the 2004 Alero back in 2010. I mentioned I installed a few performance items.
Well it's been two years, and I am very happy to say the Oldsmobile Alero has stood up to aggressive driving, so I don't understand why anyone who would have anything negative to say about the Alero.
It was a sad day when GM closed down the Oldsmobile factories.
Lots of power for the size of engine, and not bad gas mileage.
I receive lots of compliments on the appearance; it's loaded.
Don't be afraid to buy an Alero.