2000 Oldsmobile Alero from North America - Comments

I'm just adding to the list of "isolated" issues.

We have a 2001 Olds Alero GLS with 64410 miles, this car was purchased new with a GM Employee discount..

Wouldn't it figure just out of warranty and the problems start to pile up.

Here we go...

1. The brakes and rotors have been replace 3 times. The first two were OEM parts, I switched to Brembo Rotors (August 2006) after reading that the OEM rotors warp quickly- How True this is. We haven't had any brake issue since moving away from OEM (GM original) parts.

2. We have also had the typical low speed fan switch problem, replaced in August 2006.

3. As mentioned in an earlier post the radio was replaced under warranty because the writing on the buttons rubbed off. This fix was short lived they have been rubbed off again.

4. And now for the biggie. The drivers side door window fell in to the door last night September 12th 2006 and won't come up. You can hear the motor raising and lowering, but the glass is not moving. My wife stopped by the local glass shop this morning to see about getting it fixed. The glass company said the regulator and the motor will need to be replaced. Parts with GM discount 330. Labor 180. I think I will try to save on the labor and replace the parts myself since I may have to do this 3 more times that could be quite a savings. If anyone knows where there are instructions please reply to this forum.

Despite these issue this has been a decent car. I would like to point out that GM should have recalled the rotors as they are junk and a safety hazard in my opinion. GM should have also recalled all of the window regulators and motors.

I hope that this information helps someone out there.

Here is a link to FIX FOR THE REGULATOR ISSUE that is common on most ALERO's.

http://www.a1electric.com/grandam.htm.

After making my comments yesterday about the Drivers side window on our 2001 Alero GLS breaking I ran across this extremely helpful website listed above. Even though its for the Grand Am the same principles apply.

Tools needed to replace the regulator and motor:

You will need two screwdrivers (flathead) and (Phillips), ratchet with extension and 10mm socket - this fits all of the bolts. The job is very easy, it took about 40 minutes to complete. Since I had the silver motor and it still worked I did not replace it (See note below).

Side note:

Due to design changes GM stated that if I had the black motor I would need to replace it with the silver one, since I had the silver one it was not necessary.

I hope this helps someone having the same issues. I'd also like to thank www.a1electric.com for their detailed posting.

Good Luck out there...

Tony B.

No surprise... 02 Alero problems...

In the 4 months I have owned the car...

-had the ignition replaced (Car would not start in a parking lot on campus, had to tow it to dealer 25 miles away)

-can't read radio buttons.

-low tire pressure light and oil light randomly come on... I have googled how to fix these.

-drove the car to Alaska (4000 miles) no problems.

-car starts stalling out and RPMs jump all over at idle. Had to get the Mass AirFlow sensor replaced $350.

-replaced both front wheel bearing hubs $500.

-they did a "Courtesy check" and said there was oil in the antifreeze... probably a leak in the manifold, they can't tell... drove it back to Michigan (5200) miles with no problem. Could result in manifold, or head gasket and or motor replacement if they are right...

- drivers side window stopped working... from all the posts, sounds like the regulator.

I love the car, it made it to Alaska and back well. Plus it was made 4 blocks from my house... but they are tearing that plant down... and evidently for good reason... I hate to go Foreign, but I had all of these kind of issues with my 97 Malibu too!

Like many others I have run into the same problem with the windows in my 2003 Alero. First the driver's side started making a clicking noise then the window fell in the door. The repairs appear to be about $500.00. The passenger side is now making the same noise and so I have not let anyone roll it up or down. since this seems to be an ongoing problem with Oldsmobile in general I think that all who have this problem should report it to the Better Business Bureau until the problem is recalled and fixed. I don't know about you, but I am a single mother with six children to raise on my own and con not afford to have these kinds of problems. Not in my pocket book or in headaches.

I purchased a 99 Alero in 2000 and until recently haven't had any issues. I did however start having issues with my battery dying overnight. After 2 Alternators and 3 batteries the car dealership couldn't tell me what was wrong. I had just moved so the dealership I was working with wasn't the one I bought my car from. I called my original dealership and they got me a phone # to contact a "specialist". I am still in the process of working with him, but he did let me know that there is a recall on the dashboard cover. That is good to hear since mine is in terrible shape. I thought it was just due to the sun, but I guess there really is a problem with it.

To fix the regulator on a 2001 Alero.

The info on replacing the motor for the front door was great using the example from A1 and the grand am.

Is it the same for the back door? Or is there different steps?

If anyone has advice or steps on how to fix the back door power window on a 2001 Alero that would be great.

Peace.

G.

Our 2000 Alero has had most of the problems, plus the reverse button popped out upon release one day. Button, driver's window button and Fan switch were covered. Hazard / turn signal switch was not, and was supposed to be recalled, but only in "cold" climates and apparently SoCal didn't count. The switch however was mysteriously half price as if it had been lowered in anticipation of the problem. Had to make a funny hooked tool from a long screwdriver to change it, but worked out O.K. and wasn't about to pay the $150.00 to the dealer to install it. Driver's side window regulator went out a few nights ago; didn't fall in, but the cheezey plastic fixture mid cable fell apart. WHAT a Rube Goldberg setup this cable and pulley thing is! Not difficult to get at (although the dealer will nick you plenty to get at it, plus around $160.00 parts) But I found the regulator with motor for around $70.00 shipped at http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/

So we'll see when it gets here in a couple days. It's been a good car overall and I have plenty of friends with imports that have as much and much more serios problems. Cars are WAY too complicated today (the stupid hazard switch shouldn't need the turn signals to go through it also, replacing the good old $3.00 switches of old) but that's progress and liability. Lots of engineers trying to outsmart each other. I'd like to try this car in the manual trans six cylinder version...

I have been having issues with my car starting. It will crank, but it is almost like the engine isn't sparking the fuel, or the fuel isn't making it the engine to be sparked. I have replaced the fuel filter and the battery. I am curious if anyone might have an idea what it is.

I have a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero and it has been driving fine since I got it. It has 64K miles on it and now it won't start. It goes to the on switch, but the interior lights are dim and the radio works. Although my clock has been reset to 12:00. There is also a clicking/cranking noise that happens every time I try and start the engine. Can anybody give me an idea of what it could be?

I have not encountered any of the above-mentioned problems with my 2002 Alero. However, the problem I am experiencing is peeling paint at the bottom of the doors inside. Of course, I was told that the warranty is expired and it would cost about $350 (Canadian). As usual, the dealer tells me that I am the only one who has this problem. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced peeling paint on their Alero???

I too have the same issues. 03 Alero 2 door. replaced radio due to skipping and non read errors. buttons are blank, driver window is shot, passenger window close to the same. rotors are warping. idle is all over the place. dash has popped loose. extra cig lighter/ assc plug falls off over a bump horn has never worked even though GM said it does. but they could not show me that it does. and its not important they say. dash lights flicker. I've had this car 1 year 3 months and every thing broke the week after my warranty ran out. I hope GM folds.

2001 alero

after driving car for awhile and stopping for gas,etc., it won't crank over you have to wait for it to cool down before it cranks again

any suggestions on repairs

thanks.

Anyone who is having issues with it starting when the engine is warm, I just had the same issue, it was the ignition switch, it was only sending 6 volts to the engine to start it. It would crank and crank after I drove it for awhile, and then went to restart and it would take a long time. The dealer replaced it for me. $403.

Yes! You are not alone. My mother's 2002 Oldsmobile Alero is also having a peeling paint problem around the doors and elsewhere. She is considering legal action. She does not have easy access to a computer so please e-mail me at eric68lalonde@hotmail.com for more discussion.

I own a 2000 alero which I brought brand new. I have experienced some of the problems that others have. I still like the car. The only problem that I hate is the dashboard that is bubbling up. Since the warranty was expired, the dealer said that it wasn't anything they could do about it except order a new dash at the cost of $800. If they do decide to fix it please let me know.