1999 Oldsmobile Alero from North America - Comments

Front brake rotors warped at about 30,000 miles, had to be turned once, when problem continued rotors were replaced. Both times were free of charge. Still having same problem with rotors at 72,000 miles.

Drivers side window won't roll down, dealership says it is probably the motor which is about $450.00 to replace.

Intake manifold gasket bad, causing antifreeze/water mixture to enter engine possibly doing major damage. Can't get it fixed as of April 4, 2002 due to national backorder of the gasket needed. My dealership alone has 3 cars sitting on their lot right now waiting for this part that has been on backorder for about 1 week. They have no idea when the part will be available.

Recall on latch for center console.

Rubber molding around all 4 doors warped shortly after we got the car and lets a lot of wind and outside noise in the car.

It's too bad our Alero has had these problems because I like the car. It is not very comfortable for my husband who is 6'2", but he likes the car also.

As far as buying another Oldsmobile -

Never!!

I would try to persuade anyone I know not to buy this car.

I too had similar Alero problems. The driver side door seal failed during a heavy rain and next morning I had 2 inches of water on the floor. It was only a few weeks old at the time. They had to order the seal which they replaced under warranty. When I brought it in to the dealer I also asked them about a lifter noise (clicking) when the engine is first started. They told me that GM allows about a minute and a half for the lifter clatter to dissipate and considers this normal (Apparently GM has this problem with all 3.4 V6 engines of this type, very noisy). At about 20000 miles I brought it in for warped rotors and they replaced them under warranty. At 35000 (just in warranty) I got a dash light warning of low coolant. I brought it in and they told me it was the lower intake manifold gasket leaking. This was replaced under warranty also. (what happens in another 35000 miles??). Performance is good. Mileage has been fair and the suspension and handling are great. Too bad about the other issues. Also, the BF Goodrich tires are fading fast now with 42000 miles on them. Would I buy another one? No, I'm thinking of giving up a lifelong association with GM vehicles and buying a Ford! (I know, I know, no guarantees there either..)

Do not buy ford!!! I have had nothing but problems.

I have 1999 Alero Oldsmobile car and I love this car, but I'm having problem with my brakes. I have to get new brakes and rotors about 3 to 5 months.

Do not buy this car. i have a 2000 gls and the drive train is bad on these cars. i had a squeaking noise in the front. come to find out it was the tires rubbing the rim. new tires fix the problem. the wheel bearing on front right has went out twice now. heater fan switch only works on the last two positions (no low or medium what a pain that is).i have put two gallons of dexcool in it because the low coolant light keeps coming on and it is realy low. the low tire pressure light keeps comeing on. the back speakers went out on it and the radio reception fades in and out. right side window keeps comeing out of its track. the fog light keep burning out. the dash pad is comeing loose. the trunk interior is cheap. snag the back cover with a plastic bag and it snapped it off. road noise is realy bad. you can't check the tranny fluid because there is no dip stick it's a closed system if you get a leak you are just stuck by the road once it gets to low because theirs no place to add fluid so you can get back on the road again. believe it or not there is more, but I think you get the point it's a shame because the car is a good looking car and its v6 has lots of power oh well I can't wait till I can get rid of the piece of crap.

My 79 year old friend has a 1999 Alero and has had many problems with it. Often the tire pressure light comes on when there is no problem. She's got problems with shimmying and probably needs to take it in for brake work. It is just out of warranty and she just put $800 into fixing the automatic driver's side window -- a problem we hear in not uncommon. We think that it's unfair for her to bear the $800 cost of the window repair on a car that's just over 36 months old.

I have a 99 Alero. I have had to replace the right window motor. It was $300.00. Also my heat/air only works on speeds 3,4,and 5. In general the car has been a good one. I have had it for 3 years.

I own a 1999 Alero 2.4 liter. I just reached 57,000 miles and I have had no problems except for warped rotors.

Fords are terrible cars, get an alero, I have one and it is the best car I have ever owned... only cause its the only car I have ever owned

I agree my 2001 Alero runs fine even with 137k Miles now. The only things I have needed are brakes, a serpentine belt and oil and tires. If people quit driving their cars so hard all the time, then they too would not break down.

I have a 1999 olds alero I had it over 4 years its now got 106,000 miles on it-33,000 when I bought it-but so far I've replaced the drivers side wheel bearings 3x-the 1st time 1 week after I drove off the dealer lot. The drivers side window regulator had to be replaced 2x. It seems like the rotors have to be replaced about 3x a year. The door locks are now automatically locking themselves and unlocking while your driving, parked, whenever it wants to. Now I think the antifreeze is leaking from somewhere because the low coolant light has starting coming on a lot. The security light stays on while your driving, and sometimes when you go to start the engine it the security light blinks and the car won't start for about 15-20 minutes...I'm not sure if these are normal wear and tear problems but I had a 92 pontiac sunbird before for years and had no problems...

I have a 1999 Alero, it's not too bad except all the windows have gone out and instead of getting them fixed the right way, I simply dished out some cash for them to be set in place where they're at, so they won't go falling down on me. The last window I have is the driver's side and I'm hoping that doesn't fail on me (say goodbyeeee to fast food heh). Anyways, it's a good car, but yeah it's got its quirks, and those are the low tire pressure light (which turned on about 2 days after I filled them all up) and the windows (which I was told was an electrical problem and they'd have to replace the motors altogether, about 400 bucks like everyone's been saying).

By the way... Everybody that is having problems with their brakes wearing quick.. I guarantee that you need brake calipers. These Alero's along with the Grand Am, and Malibu all have cheap calipers and need to be replaced frequently.