2002 Oldsmobile Alero GLS from North America - Comments

(1) The brakes have been completely worn 4 Times

(2) Rotors had to be replaced twice

(3) The ABS, Traction, and Service Vehicle Soon lights have come on at least once a month regularly.

(4) The rear defrost broke in November due to Computer problem

(5) The dome light has also been broke once and is not working again today due to a computer problem that was supposed to be fixed.

(6) and finally my wheel bearing were also replaced yesterday.

I have voiced concerns of computer failure time after time, with my car being returned from the dealership with the computer lasting only a week or two, until the lights come back on.

After the complaints being made about the computer and ABS brakes, and being told these problems were now fixed, I found myself driving on the highway when the lights returned yet again, accept this time adding the emergency brake light, my gas dropped and the car started to excel to a dangerous rate. When I tried to apply the brakes, there was absolutely no stopping power for at least 2 minutes. I had absolutely no brakes!

Now recently in the last two months, our rotors have been completely gone, which we have replaced.

We are now told we need $1,000.00 in repairs due to our wheel bearings. I have no doubt that since we drove this car off the lot, it had a computer defect which we have been paying for in time, money, and

frustration.

This car is supposed to be 1 year old!

I am looking for 2002 Alero owners with these same problems to e mail me at.

Kaylamoran@hotmail.com.

As an owner of a 2002 Alero, I must say, that these problems seem quite isolated to one reported case. I have owned my Alero and enjoy driving on a daily basis. In the months since driving off the lot in August of 2002, I have racked up nearly 25 000 km, estimating about 15 000 of which being on highways.

The vehicle itself is like none other driven. Compared to a Chev. Cavalier which is not much cheaper, the quality of the Alero is second to none in it's class. From the features such as removable head lights (the complete headlight!) to the great sound system inside, the Alero design team has definately done it's homework with this one!

The only complaint or problem I have with the Alero is the uncovered child seat clips just above the folding seats in the rear. This is simply a cosmetic thing. However, after reading your review of the car, I believe the dealership should step in. If the car is defective in such a way as you say, GET A NEW ONE!

Every so often there are lemons, no doubt. However, reading other Alero owner reviews and from the experience of driving mine, I assure you it is worth it to keep a 'non-lemon' of the model. I do know that the systems which you speak of (ABS, Emerg. Brake, etc.,) are displayed via an on board computer system. The dealership can run it's programs with the on board system to check the systems and back up systems (yes, the Alero has them). If they see nothing wrong, then definately go past the dealership and contact Oldsmobile/GM directly.

Problems such as these should not be dealt with alone. I'm sure GM would be more than happy to provide you with helpful options. Best of luck though, and I hope many many km's of good driving. May the trees be rubber and the roads straight.

Mark.

Thank you for your advice mark, but with over 250 pages of complaints on these cars I beg to differ that this is an isolated case. My e mail is full of emails from discouraged Alero owners, most of them are 99 models, but I have a lot of kms on my car so I'm experiencing these problems early. Give it a while and I assure you that your opinion will change. I am definitely not keeping this car, I found a number for an arbitrator in the back of my owners manual, and in less than 2 months I will have full cost back for my car minus the extra kms.

Kayla.

I have owned my Alero since January 2001. It's got 68,000 miles on it and I've had no major problems. (I had a side view mirror glass fall off, the cup holder in the back broke, and my aluminum wheels have a rubbing sound about every 10,000 miles) Last week however I was told by the dealership that my wheel bearings needed to be replaced.

What fried me was that GM said I was 32,000 out of warranty and the GM extended service people were so rude they wouldn't even allow me to make a plea for an extension -- though I had complained about a front end noise 10,000 miles ago.

The question is, how common are wheel bearing failures?

I have a 99 Alero GLS Coupe, with almost 90,000 kms on it (!). We had to replace the right front wheel bearing last year, and I think the left front is just about toasted now too. My husband has an Achieva - the Alero's predecessor, and he had problems with bearings too.

I also have some problems with the onboard computer - which continually tells me my tire pressure is low (it isn't) or that my engine needs to be serviced (it is serviced regularly). I have come to ignore these two lights, and only pay attention to new ones that come up!

I have a 2002 olds alero with 65000 miles. It ran good until it hit 55k miles. Both front wheel bearings when out. After I had them replaced, they went out 2 weeks later.

I recently had to take my car to get the brakes done, they advised me to contact oldsmobile since the rotors were worn down so bad. They advised that they shouldn't wear down faster than the brake pads. Even though it has 65k miles on it, they are all highway driving.

I also have a friend who has a 99 alero, he has had to replace both power window motors in his 2 door, which is 500 each.

Wheel bearing should not wear out till 150,000 miles with no maintenance. I have a 1999 Alero, changed in-take gasket, and water pump at 67,000 miles. Changed the rotors twice, and the blinkers will not work sometimes. GM says "Anything can break on a car" and will not even help. I will never buy another GM product, and will try to persuade anyone from it. If they turn there backs on you here, they won't help you with other products either. Remember that a car is your second biggest investment you have. GM has lost this concept.

I am also experiencing a lot of problems with my 2002 Alero. After talking with Kayla, I am also going through a arbitrator to get my car bought back. I advise a lot of other people to do the same. These cars have a lot of problems and are not safe. To me the most important feature should be the brakes, and my car has had them replaced 2 times already with 40000 km and I had to cover the cost the last time of $100.00? GM has nasty customer service and I would urge everyone to take action and make this company accountable for this piece of junk. If you have any additional information please email me at m.belzile@peacecountry-cfdc.com.

I have a 2001 Alero with 55,000 miles on it. At 9,000 we replaced the rotors, at 16,000 both wheel bearings had to be replaced. We have also had problems with the rear defrost (had to be replaced), the computer constantly saying "service engine soon", and a leaky seal around the driver side window. Now the paint is peeling off on the right front hood (in large chunks - not just small chips) - and of course it's not under warranty unless it rusts completely through. So basically, GM is saying it's perfectly normal for a 2 year old car to start to peel! Now the front brakes seem to be making an awful sound. We've had it looked at and the mechanic can't find anything wrong - but he can't fix the noise either. I wait to see what comes next...

Add my name to the long list of dissatisfied Alero owners. This is/was the last Detroit made car that I will ever own. If Detroit and the UAW continue to be as unconcerned about quality as they have been, the U.S. auto industry deserves to go under. My 1999 Alero has had over a dozen different problems, ranging from fit and finish issues, to rheostat failure to the most annoying: the power windows. Tonight I made a very cold journey to my home 30 miles outside Nashville. Snow is predicted this evening! I was in downtown when the window broke (for the third time in three years!) in the down position. I plan to call the Olds folks tomorrow and demand that they pay for repairs. I plan to "get Medieval" if necessary. I know this won't get me very far, but I'll feel better afterward.

My name is Mike, I just got my alero back from the dealer again! Here is my frustrating situation. I have an '02 gls fully loaded. Bought it brand new and it now has 54K miles. here are the problems I can think of off the top of my head.

1) 17k new brakes and rotors

2) 35k new brakes and rotors

3) 25k radio would not turn off - had to be raplaced

4) windshield is very brittle - a million chips in it

5) 40k both heater knobs broken

6) 50k intake manifold and oil pan gaskets leaking

7) rear cup holder always falls off

8) 54k front hubs and bearings replaced.

I am dreading the day my warranty on this car runs out!!!

Mike.

I have a 2003 alero and the paint has a striping affect on it dealer has said it is normal.

2000 Alero would never buy one again. 100,000 km and 5 right front wheel bearings that is very expensive. Check engine light twice a week from the day we got it. They can't find the problem and keep charging for it. Lets not talk about brakes they do not last. The suspension creaks and clunks and has been adjusted 5 times. Tansmission is leaking for the third time. My list is very long. Do yourself a favor GM will not stand behind this vehicle so do not buy one.

Gridler@hotmail.com.

Hi, I helped my Dad pick out this car. (Regretfully)

Dads 83 and wanted to get Mom a new car, hes not going to live forever, so he tells me, So he wanted Mom to have a new car no problems...

The 2003 Alero has been back to the shop twice, Dad bought it January 3/04, (its now jan22/04) and hasn't put 100 kilometers on it.

The problem, it won't start, it might start if kept in a heated garage, but we live in Canada and sometimes its cold here, but Dads 1989 Chev starts... Any Ideas???

I could cry! I was just browsing around looking for quotes on wheel bearing replacement (front) because my 99 Alero is currently in the garage. I also had to replace the rear rotors and brakes about 6 months ago. I have had issues with the tire pressure light and coolant light because they are ultra sensitive. My car is just over 48,000 miles. And I thought I was getting a car that would last.. if anyone has any brilliant ideas on how to get our money back for these annoying repairs, I'm more than happy to join you!

My 2001 has 90,000 Kms and the paint blistering off under the front lip of the hood and will require re-medial maintenance to avoid rust perforation soon. GM dealer is not interested as it has not perforated yet. It looks like a waiting game that GM will win.

I fear a re-occurrence of the paint peeling which happened on my 91 Corsica. The Corsica only started the peeling after 8 yrs. What do you think my chances are if the Alero is already flaking away.

Driver side wheel Bearings replaced at approx 65,000 KM. Dealer suspected tire noise for about 3.5K km. Over warranty too bad

Passenger side bearing replaced at approx 80,000 KM. Didn't bother asking!

Manual transmission clicks and chatters at low RPM's in above 75 degree temperatures.

Dealer remedy was to drive at higher RPM's. Nothing can be done. Good news is I wear brakes much slower than Mother's Alero that lasted 23,000 Km.

3 Heater thermistors replaced since my car bought new. 2 were replaced under warranty, now its my problem. Conformal coated board looks like it has a corrosion problem as it blisters underneath the coating.

Great looking car, but I know I made a mistake.