Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166-180, 181-190
I purchased a 2002 Alero brand new and it wasn't the best move I've made. At just over 60'000Km things starting going bad. Here is my list of problems:
-Head gasket needed to be fixed twice. (Over $1500 eachtime)
-Rotors and brakes have been replaced 6 times.
-Fuel pump went last summer
-AC/Heater blower only works on top speed, very annoying.
-Starter has gone twice.
-Ignition system had to be replaced.
-Computer got replaced 3 months ago because it burnt out.
-Hub assembly has been replaced 2 times.
-Front shocks went last year at 140k
-Numerous other small issues, dash buckle's in heat/winter, buttons on radio have lost their paint.
Overall the car has had about $6000 in repairs in the 4 yrs I've had it. And that's not including regular maintenance.
The most frustrating thing was being turned down for the headgasket repair from the GM dealership, after it went shortly after 70'000K, and these cars carry a 60'000km warranty. The fact that they let me pay $1500 cost them my business purchasing a GM next time.
My wife of 4 months got me to go out and buy a new car, so I did. I got a 2002 Alero that has 80547 km on it. I bought it in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. No problems yet, but everyone has me scared. I hope I got a good one.
I own a 1999. Between 42K and 70K the following things happened:
Intake Manifold Gasket
Bad Fuel Injector
Both back window regulators failed
Transmission failed.
Since 70K...now at 108K haven't had any major issues, but now my "Low Trac" light keeps coming on and off. From the previous comments I am guessing Hub Assembly/Wheel Bearing.
Not my favorite car.
DO NOT BUY AN ALERO! I bought my 2002 GLS 2dr Coup in the summer of 2004 used with 26k. It was Gm Certified. My Alero was great up until this past summer. Here is a list of some of the problems:
Replaced the pass side bearing.
Replaced the regulator in the driver's side window 3 times @ $350 each time!
Paint on the radio buttons is gone.
Dashboard vinyl is warped.
The blinkers started to have a mind of their own. When I would turn them on they would work and then stop working or just not work at all. Now the blinkers start up whenever they please. This is even when I do not have the blinkers on.
Last week while driving down the road everything electrical stopped working for about 30 seconds and then started working again.
Monday my car wouldn't start. I brought it in. The battery was dead so I replaced it. That can be general maintenance so I wasn't upset. Tuesday my car ran great. Today my car won't start again. We will see what is wrong this time.
This car has had oil changes every 2k and general maintenance. The Alero only has 90k on it. These things shouldn't be happening. I am 7 months pregnant and my husband is gone serving our country. This is extremely upsetting. I called Gm and they have terrible customer service. They do not stand behind their product and will not help me out in anyway. For anyone reading this Stay away from the Alero. We also own a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. There is a reason Gm is going under. I highly advise you to stay away from GM all together.
Like many others, I am in Alero he**!!! My ac/heat only works on the highest settings. When it rains there's puddles of water in my passenger set floor board and recently behind the driver seat as well. The driver side window only works when it wants to, along with the blinkers. I have also gone through countless brakes and rotors. My newest problem is now, my car drives like its in first gear, (keep in mind I have an automatic) and so far no one knows whats wrong with it. Other than that it's a great car!!!
My Alero is awesome except the fact that only one window in the car will roll down. Every regulator went out within a 3 month period along with my blinkers/flashers. My car also loves eating brake pads. Pretty much general motors can blow me. Kia Rio here I come.
Hi,
I am another dissatisfied 2002 Alero customer. I wish I had thought to look this car up before I bought it. I bought mine in 2004, with about 51,000 miles on it, it has about 75,000 now. So many big ticket items have gone on this thing. Never again will I buy an American vehicle!!!
So far I have replaced...
2 left hub sensors.
1 right hub sensor, and the ABS/ETS light is on again
A head gasket.
A fuel pump and after 2 of them, the gas gauge is not working properly, I can't believe I could be lucky enough to get 2 defective pumps!
The radio dial paint wore off, then the stereo/CD player died.
The trunk covering is falling down, came unglued.
The interior around the back window is loose...
What were they thinking when they decided on this model??
Being a single parent with only one income, I thought this car was going to last me until I could afford something else. For all the money I have put into this car, I could have bought the something else and not had as many headaches.
I don't mean to rub salt in the wounds, but you stated ".. so many big ticket items..." need repairs. Did you leave those off the list? I could not find any big ticket items. Big ticket items for me, equal $1000+ repair. A repair less than $500 is not a big ticket item and a gray area is present between $500 and 1000. But I did not even find any single $500+ repairs unless you were seen as a pile of money to a greedy repair shop. (Quite possible in the world today.)
Also, I'm not defending the Alero, but a bad sample of any car does not mean all cars from that country are bad. There are bad samples of cars from every country that makes cars. One should be careful about making a mountain out of a mole hill. Perhaps you will have a better 2007 than you did 2006!
I too have a "sickly" Alero, mine is a 1999 that had 96k miles on it when I purchased it 2 years ago. Since owning it, I had to replace the transmission, ABS sensor (didn't replace since brakes still work, but no ABS), cruise control switch (fixed with a penny) and now the heater blower has died. This will be my last oldsmobile that I will own. Its no wonder that they went out of business. My only advise would be do not buy any olds product!
I was going to comment on your remarks, but I'm sure they would be deleted. Big ticket items may have been the wrong choice of words, but being single trying to make it on $30,000 +/- yearly, anything over 300.00 for me is a big ticket item.
2002 Olds Alero with Passlock 2 problems. I used this method for turning off my Passlock system to avoid big money replacements. Do a google search for "passlock disablement for remote start capability". There is no need to install a remote starter if your goal is to keep from being stranded again. Don't do this if your car is still under warranty! I've been problem free for 1 and 1/2 years now.
I myself own a 2002 3.4 liter Alero. I bought in 2003 with 23,000 miles on it. I too have had many problems as others have said the have had. I had to replace both driver and passenger side wheel bearings in the first 3 months of owning my car. Then I started having problems with the blinkers, took that into get fixed and that was $300. A month later went to start my car and it would not start. My step-dad who is an auto mechanic came and towed it away and figured out it was the Pass-lock and my car thought I was trying to steal it. I have had my brakes replaced often since. Then about one year ago I went to start my car, would not start. My husband got it started, we drove it right to the dealership and had the Pass-lock fixed for $550 since the dealerships are the only ones with the computers to find out what the error is. Then about a month ago, I had very little power when I went to go accelerate, found out it is my catalytic converter. My step-dad said usually when the catalytic converter goes; something else goes, so I am just waiting. I would never buy an Alero again.
I have also had nothing, but trouble with my 2000 alero. well for starters I have replaced the brake pads and rotors 4 times, i have also replaced the fuel pump, which where I live in n.c. no one semmed to know what was wrong with my car, it left me stranded 3 times before the tow truck driver finnaly referred me to a mechanic who found the problem and fixed it. i also have trouble with my blinkers they work when they won't to like they are possesed, my engine light stays on as well as my tire pressure light. i hope noone else buys a alero because they are nothing, but lemons.
Wow I'm not alone. I also to purchased one of these rejects cause it was a great looking car (pretty red paint with the shiny 16 inch wheels).40,000 miles on it when I got it ran fine up until I hit the 47,000 mile mark my sunroof didn't close all the way and it was time for brakes. Then about a week later I needed rotors. Replaced them fine. but at about 59,000 miles I need brakes again a water pump, intake gasket and now at 63,000 miles the car rides very slow and I it has some of the same problems as the previous comments and now I'm gonna get rid of this problem car. It's a pretty sporty looking car and rides nice until something goes wrong and I'm tired of it. It's got to go. I wish I had done my homework before I signed on the dotted line!!!!!!
Well, I must be one of the few lucky ones. When I purchased it initially (33K) they had to put a new heater control assembly into it. It now has about 140K and other than brakes and rotors, my car has been problem free. It is driven daily on short trips in the interior of BC, and long trips in cold weather (-27C yesterday). I am having trouble again with the heater control assembly, and probably will end up replacing it soon.