2002 Oldsmobile Alero GLS from North America - Comments

I have 2002 Alero GLS I purchased with 23,000 miles. I really love the car, but I have to say I've had to replace the front brakes and Rotors @26,000 miles The right front Wheel bearing @ 28,000 miles and now @ 38,000 miles Rear brakes and Rotors. I've replaced the Tires once and the front ones need to be replaced again! I have to say I do like this car! I hope all the probs about this car I am reading about don't happen to me.

We own a 2002 alero, bought brand new, our dome light fell out, replaced wheel bearings 4 times, replaced broken spring on strut, turn signals don't work unless you tap on 4 way switch, heater only works on 2 high speeds, repalce brake every few months, the paint is chipping off between back door and rear tire, and now my wife called and said she is broke down, went to try and get the car going, would start for 3-4 seconds and stalls, she just filled the tank up only 10 miles on new tank of gas, now it won't start at all, thought it was the fuel pump, but after reading all these posts I'm afraid to buy a fuel pump and it not be the problem, Can anyone give me advice on how to repair this car?

I've owned a 2000 Alero for almost 7 years. It has about 115,000 miles on it. It was the first car I ever purchased and up until last year I've felt like it treated me pretty well. I have had to do a few repairs in the past, but nothing too major, which I figured was pretty standard for a higher millage car. I haven't had as many problems with the brakes as others who posted, only replaced pads 2 times, rotars in front once. I was pretty peeved to pay $350 to have my blinkers fixed in 2004...and my rear defrost hasn't worked for the last 2 winters (I live in Minneapolis)...but I wasn't worried until last year the stalling at idle started. It starts right back up again, but it is annoying( and scary for a young woman who drives alone) & can't be explained by auto shops. I'm guessing it's the fuel pump (filter replaced last year). Hoping it won't get worse. I find that if I keep my tank at over 1/4 full and use an injector booster at every other fill or so it helps. Then there was the heater blower & resistor going out in the middle of winter last year. And, that would bring me to the reason I found this site, the increasing "rubbing" noise I hear while turning (LOW TRAC, TRAC OFF, ABS OFF have been popping up over last few months) Sooooo I guess it's time to replace those bearings (great!!). I'm starting to feel a little panic at all of these repairs looming over my head, and from the look of this site possibly more to come. Looks like my luck with this vehicle seems to be running out. I won't necessarily point the finger a GM, however... My boyfriend's 99 Mercury Cougar has had FAR more problems than my Alero.

I sure am glad I came by this site. I have had the trac off ABS and service vehicle soon lights coming on more and more often this last month or two. hoping it the hub assembly. found a place that sells them cheap online and changing them myself. other than this I have had no problems with the car. it has about 160 000 km on it and it's an 01. mostly highway miles tho. bought it with 95 000 km on it and I live in canada. its kinda scary reading all the comments tho. looks like fixing this problem is only going to be the start of my problems.

I have a 2002 Alero. I recently got it about a month ago. It's under a 30 day warranty, which will soon expire. My trac. off light, anti-lock, and service vehicle soon lights come on in unison. The guy who sold it to me told me it was an O2 sensor, so they replaced it. My other concerns are about my power steering; the fluids are full, but the wheel whines when I turn. I'm now looking at repair costs. Since I'm a college student, there doesn't seem to be much hope. I live in upstate NY, and everyone knows they like to charge way more than they should. I was wondering if anyone had those things replaced? It's a nice car and I've put a lot into the interior and exterior, but nothing that makes the car perform better. I don't want my car to occur what is being said by all of you. So I guess "buyer beware" does apply all too frequently.

Any info. about these problems is greatly appreciated.

I agree that there are problems with the Alero. I own a 2002 Alero with 98,698 miles on it. Overall, it has been a pretty good car. I live in Upstate New York and yes, my car too has rusted, but it chipped because of stones.

I have replaced the brakes probably 4 times and the rotors once. I also replaced the wheel bearing on the passengers side and now my "low tire pressure, service vehicle soon, trac off and ABS light" are on and the mechanic (which is a family member) checked the code and my left wheel bearing is shot.

I have replaced the hazard switch and battery, but other than that, it has been a wonderful "engine" car. I could care less if the panels are buckling, it gets me where I need to go.

I agree with the buttons on the radio wearing off, but I was told by my mechanic that it is most likely caused by my lotion. He told me that you wouldn't believe how often he sees that.

Hope everyone has better luck!

My Alero Review!

I have a 2001 GLS Olds Alero. I purchased it new seven years ago.

Note: When Purchased - The Alero was a much better value on the market in 2001. I saved Over $2,000 with just GM rebate and 60,000 mile bumper to bumper. Saving thousands less I was able to get many more upgrades that the imports charged extra.

Example: My Alero was listed a $23,700. An Equal Import was $28,400. No rebates or dealer discounts at that time.

I now have 118,000 miles on it and still love and enjoy the car like it was day one. I've been reading a lot of the comments and can relate to some of the major issues with the Alero.

ALERO'S PROBLEMS!

1) PROBLEM - Brake engineering is very poor. Every 30,000 mile replaced

2) PROBLEM - Original Good year Tires... Poor design. Replaced at 45,000. Not GM fault

3) PROBLEM - Wheel bearing have been replaced once under warranty and once out of my pocket. Poor design

4) PROBLEM - 6 months ago the car would not start. Thankfully in my driveway. The ignition wires/assembly and censor was replaced. $600.00 GM

4) PROBLEM - Today it went in for a pressure test on a coolant leak. The Manifold Gasket Leaking $600.00 GM.

ALERO'S POSITIVE SIDE!

1) Never tuned-up. Even at 118,000 mile

2) Same shocks/springs.

3) Same muffler and exhausted.

4) No rattles or noise even after seven years

5) Drives the same as day one.. truly

6) Never did the GM maintenance in the owners book (Oil was changed every 3,000 miles and always, but in 89 gas)

OK... We all now understand that most Alero's on the road have similar problems. I too wish GM would stand up and recall or service these acknowledged problems. I also agree and understand why many of you may never buy another GM product again. BUT.. I feel I've been very luck with my Alero. Only till this year have I needed to invest any major money for these upsetting repairs. My car has been paid off now for three years. Even till now it has been cheap affordable transportation. With this years repairs totaling around $1,200.00. That's only $100.00 a month. Now... that's still better than another new car loan of at least $350.00 and up for five years.

I do plan and hope to run my car for about two more years. We'll see what the future bring. I will still consider look at all makes when I decide to purchase another car.

Happy and safe driving!

I have a 2003 Olds Alero I bought about a year ago. It had 98,000 miles on it. I loved it till about a week ago. Just driving along and all the dash lights came on (Service Engine Soon, ABS, Security, etc.) and the gages (speed, therm, gas gauge, etc.) died. Pulled over to the side of the road and shut it down. Of couse it wouldn't start back up. After about 5 minutes. it finally started. Took it to a GM dealer who had it for 3 days. First they thought it was Ignition Switch, but eventually they said it was a shorted wire in my dash. They said they fixed it and now exactly one week after getting it repaired for $350.00 it is doing the same thing. Back to the GM dealer tomorrow??? : (

I bought my 02 Alero 5 yrs ago and about 2&1/2 yrs ago my anti-theft acted up in my car so they had to change the ignition out. Since then it has been really a good car up until a couple months ago. My car one night wouldn't start. Had it towed and after a few days they told me it was the air conditioning fuse that kept popping. The car sat at their shop for at least 3 weeks because the car would start and run for about a day and then the car would die again and they told me that the fuse keeps popping. They finally decided to change a wire in the car, got it back and the car ran fabulously until 4 days later it yet again died. Had the car towed again for the 2nd time. Was then told it was bad gas, the a/c fuse and the new battery were no good. The battery apparently dies when the fuse pops so you have to have it recharged because they'll tell you the battery is still good and it's not because the car cranks slow and hesitates to start. They replaced the fuse again and the car ran for an amazing 10 days and same story and yet a 3rd tow. Since then we have had to replace the a/c fuse every 10 days or so to keep it running while we look for a new car. If you still have yours, get rid of it. The mechanics who worked on mine recommended it themselves. I have also noticed that when the fuse blows it unlocks my doors by themselves when you are sitting in idle which I know it's going to die. I've also heard that other GM vehicles are experiencing the same problems so I don't think I'll be buying from that manufacturer again.

Happy New Year!!! 2004 Alero Owner, bought off the lot brand new in 2005. Agree with previous comments about how poor the brakes are. At 12,000 miles, had to have the front rotors turned, at 20,000 miles had to have the rotors turned, at 30,000 miles, the rotors were replaced. thank God it was under warranty! The original front rotors were extremely pitted, a poor sourcing choice for GM. After the 36,000 mile warranty expired, the rear rotors (also pitted) had to be replaced - this one was on my nickel. Full brake job at 39,000 miles. Now at 40,000 miles, the front drivers side bearing is shot. Bought two replacements to cover the front set, will do the job myself rather than pay a GM dealer to fix their poor designs and poor choice for component source selection. There is a reason why most U.S. car manufactures warranties expire after 3 years or 36,000 miles, components are designed to have a 95% confidence level and reliability that they will make it to that milestone. For my 2004 Alero, far from making that goal. My wife's father is a retired GM executive, been a GM buyer for the past 23 years, this experience just may be the last straw to push me to buy a foreign car next, possibly a BMW or Acura.

"SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, ABS, TRAC OFF" lights came on.

My car has been doing this more and more lately. My dealer told me it will take $300 to replace the the unit that reads the sensors when I took the car in for inspection.

I got a call from GM yesterday advising me there's an open recall and I should take the car to a dealer to reprogram the PCM (power control module). So I did it today and my dashboard has been dim (no red lights) since.

I have a 2002 Oldsmobile alero GLS. The problems I have had include replacing the brakes and rotors three times. Last year my blinkers stopped working. The place I took it too couldn't figure out why. Now they work, sometimes they don't, but for the most part they've been working. Today my service vehicle soon and Trac off lights came on. It sounds like I have to replace a wheel bearing. My driver side window broke twice and fell into the door. It's basically glued back together. My doors freeze on me and I can never get them open. They don't even feel like they shut all the way either.

I have a 99 olds Alero, just bought it from a dealer for 5,500 it has 130,000 miles on it. Nada.com said that it was an appropriate price. the trac light comes on all the time. but I have the after market wheel bearings, and I just replaced the brakes. no other problems that I know of yet. but I love the car, its quick, its attractive, and its comfortable. all these negative comments are a little intimidating. but I heard nothing bad bad things about my ford probe and it was one of the best cars I ever owned. I think it's a positive that almost no one has drive train issues.

I too own a 2002 Alero and after reading all the reviews am scared witless. I've had the car for 4 years, but have not put many miles on it, and fortunately I've had no major problems yet.

Bought the car with 20 thousand miles on it and the rotors and brakes were just replaced. About 10 or 12 thousand more miles I put rotors and brakes in and can tell now (about 10000 miles later) I will need them soon again.

All my idiot lights have come on and off, and now the change oil light is the only one that is currently on, and is forever on. Just changed the plugs on it and a new battery, and the blinkers acted up a couple of times, so as I said nothing major yet but a lot of foreshadowing for things to come.

Also incidentally I seem to have to add fairly often engine coolant; does anyone else have that problem? I never had to add anywhere near that often on any other car.

I have a 2002 Alero I purchased new in June 2002. I loved it when I bought it. But, for the past year and a half, my list of complaints gets longer. The turn signals rarely work unless I have a piece of cardboard wedged in the flasher button or give the dash a good wack; heater-a/c blower only works on 2 highest settings; all radio buttons have paint flaked off; brakes make an annoying noise until speed is up to 20 mph then 'ding ding' ABS, check engine & TRAC off lights come on & stay on and the noise goes away; occasionally I will have cruise control set & 'ding ding' cruise shuts off and emergency brake light comes on; driver side window won't work; sometimes the radio is set to a different station then when I last drove the car; I refill the power steering fluid every 3 months; I refill the coolant more often than that since there is an obvious leak staining my garage floor. Are any of these problems worth fixing? I can't afford a trip to the mechanic.