2000 Oldsmobile Alero from North America - Comments

I have 2000 Alero bought on July 28, 2006. It had only 51000 KM and I thought it was a good price. Service engine soon light came on all of sudden. I decided to get it checked. So after I spend 200 dollars and was to take car out, noticed that the radio was not working. Service department is not sure what is going on, only thing they tell me is that battery was disconnected because of a repair they were doing.

Does anyone else has encountered a problem like that, and if you know how to fix the problem, I shall appreciate it.

Thanks.

It's really too bad that you have all had these issues. I bought my 2002 Alero in April 2005. I have only had 1 issue with it. The fuel pump went out. I bought the extended warranty when I purchased it so it only cost me 200.00 to fix it. Not a big deal.

I don't have electric windows so no issues there either. My friend has a 2003 Alero with electric windows and she just said that they had fallen in. I get really annoyed with my crank windows, but after reading this, am thankful for them!

My Alero is a 2000 GL3. Nice looking car. I bought it two years ago, immediately had a radiator problem. Kept popping the cap off the reservoir... not really sure what that was all about... my mechanic finally got it worked out, but put the DexCool back in. (Had I seen this site first, I might have asked him to change back to the standard fluid.) Haven't had a problem since, but have tried to be serious about yearly flush and fill.

My passenger side power window also had the same problem already so thoroughly documented by other posts, but I assumed that was my fault: I tried to roll the window down once while it was frozen shut, and once it "broke", I realized it hadn't just broken ice, it broke the clips and regulator arm inside the door. Motor was still good, but my mechanic got another nice payday from that little fix. Dumb on my part, though.

Some of the dot markers around the fan switch have begun to rub off the dash, and the light in my rear defrost switch sometimes does not work when the defroster is on. The rear defrost coils in the glass have miniscule breaks, leaving spots on the glass that do not heat up (could this also cause the intermittent operation of the light in the button?). The radio is a factory CD/cassette combination, and has been one of the best I've ever had in any vehicle I've ever owned. (I work in radio, so I listen to audio for a living, and I like it better than the aftermarket units I've owned in the past.) It sounds great and the letters have not rubbed off. The CD player skips more due to bumps on the road than other units I've used, but I'm happy overall.

Dashboard is bubbling, just as many others have reported. I assumed that living in the humid Midwest and not having a garage, it was just "one of those things". I didn't realize it was so universal.

Other than this, I've been pretty happy with the car. It's never stranded me anywhere (God grant that it never will). Today's issue is the heater blower motor. It's been making a noise for a few months, but it didn't seem serious and it didn't stop working. Within the last week, it's gotten 'slow'. I didn't lose the low speeds and keep only high, like a lot of folks report... ALL speeds run slower than they should normally and sometimes quit altogether. Replaced the resistor, as recommended; worked great for a day, then back to the "whenever it feels like blowing" on all speeds. (It would do this on the coldest week we've had all winter...)

When I reach under the dash and press the connector on the motor, it will suddenly make proper contact and blow strong again. Is this a problem with the connector on the wiring harness, or the connector on the motor itself? I really don't want to replace the blower motor, but I am considering taking it out and having a friend resolder the connections on the motor itself. I could order the connector that attaches to the wiring harness, but I don't think that's the problem due to the angle at which I have to bend the whole assembly to get it to make contact again.

Is this a known problem? What is GM doing about it, if there are SO many documented complaints? The Oldsmobile marque is retired, but so what? GM still made this car and should support it. Besides, the Pontiac marque is still active and has a similar model built on the same platform (Grand Am). In any event... I know GM is on financial hard times, it's in the press often, but it's only going to get worse if they can't make a reliable vehicle or stand behind what they sell.

I feel like one of the lucky ones... I haven't had as many problems as some of the folks I've read about on this and other sites... but it doesn't go very far with me when a dealer says "we can't help you" or "we can't find a problem" or "yeah, we hear that all the time, that part is known to go bad, we sell a lot of 'em". I considered Honda Accord when I bought this car, but always liked the Alero styling and knew if I was ever going to have one, it would have to be now... they wouldn't be a 'classic' car that you'd find years later. I guess I was right. But it looks like it will be Honda next time. I don't earn enough to continue to 'buy American' if I'm not buying reliability.

I have had the same popular problems as most others: The low motor fan, the windows falling, the low trac/ABS light, and the dashboard vinyl peeling. I have had my 99' alero since sept of 02 and it currently has 140,000 miles. I have found a diagnosis which has worked for some of these problems. The low motor fan computer, which is located below a part of the fan system that condenses while air conditioning, gets dripped on and that is the cause of the shorting out of the low speeds. A new part is not very expensive ($20-$40), but I am not sure about labor costs. The windows falling is a result of poor plastic being used for the window clips. The problem when replacing these is that they will only sell you the entire window lift assembly ($130). I have replaced this, which isn't very difficult, but have a problem finding a glue that will adhere to both the window and the clips. I live in Wisconsin and every winter the glue comes undone due to frozen windows pulling the pieces apart. The low trac/ABS light came on in my car when the wheel bearings were needing to be replaced, which also came along with a loud howling sound. And my vinyl pulling off the dash was never a problem until one day when I left my windows open in a dusty, dry construction area and then that night it rained. The next morning it started pulling apart.

I'm a bit relieved after reading the comments from this website!

I still think my Alero 2000 is a lemon, but I thought I was the only one. My husband thinks that all cars have problems and it's just part of the deal, but I still think the Aleros have major issues.

Again, I have the window problem, the turning signal sounds constently clicking, the brakes, the rotters, the coolant, etc.

My worry is the safety issues and the fact that Gm is not really dealing with them and making sure their client are satisfied with the product and the services. I also have to agree that it will be hard for me to convince myself to buy another Gm for my next car.

I'm both relieved and annoyed to find almost all of the comments here are on-point with the problems I've been having. I'm relieved to find out the salesman friend of the family isn't dishonest, and annoyed to find that GM won't take care of these obviously widespread issues.

My 2001 GL1 model suffers from:

1. Shattered plastic clips that hold the drivers side window onto the regulator assembly.

2. Cosmetic damage from normal usage (radio and other buttons labels "rubbed off"

3. Blower does not work below level 2.

4. Pass-Lock system engaging for no reason, requiring a ten minute reset. (I ran into a fellow Alero owner in a parking lot with her hood open, and her trouble was solved by the same reset sequence. The dealer told her it was the fuel pump, but we got the car going before the wrecker arrived.)

5. The fuel pump went at around 100K miles (I'm not sure if this is abnormal though.) Another thing: My local dealership quoted 1200+ for the repair - my father picked up the fuel pump from an *another* Oldsmobile dealer for under 300 bucks, and we installed it in three hours with a few beer breaks. Think about it - even at $100 per hour in labor charges, there is *no way* that job costs $1200.

6. Brake squeals less than three months after having pads and rotors replaced.

Additionally, my cruise control quit working unless the button is held down. I wedged a gum wrapper between the button and surrounding trim to keep the button in since I use the CC everyday - most of my 116K of mileage is all highway.

However, I will say that the dashboard has not suffered any shrinkage - but the drivers side right-hand "wing" of the seat has become collapsed and deformed after less than a year.

The biggest disappointment? I actually gave up my 10 year old Nissan *in perfect condition* to "Buy American".

I have an 2000 Olds Alero and for the most part it has been a pretty good car. I have 145K miles on it the only major problem I have had is that the fuel pump has failed twice.

I have had the normal maintenance on it and the service team haven't noticed anything abnormal during those services.

Like some have stated above, I have noticed that the turn signal blinks rapidly and the workaround is to press the hazards for a few seconds and it will correct the rapid blinkers (lol). The service team stated that they could replace the module for it, but it not a big deal for the price they quoted. If it ever fails, I will buy that module not big deal for now.

The one think that I have noticed that I concerns me is that the service engine soon keeps coming on every 300 miles or so. The service team told me to get a new gas cap so, I purchased that from Auto-zone, but that still didn't fix the issue. I plan to take in again to see if the service team can find anything, but the last two times, they didn't and just disconnected the battery for 3 ~ 4 hours to reset the light.

Has anyone had this problem with service engine soon light and the service team couldn't determine the issue as well?

I have answers too many of your questions, but not enough time to answer all of your questions. I have done everything you all have done on here and more to my car, but she's still my baby. If you have any questions about anything send it to my email banshee_tk58@yahoo.com I can almost guarantee I have had the same problem. But there is one question extremely important to answer the question about the head gasket being out or the intake manifold (leaking) it's neither I had my intake manifold replaced and my car kept leaking. It is the gasket on the timing chain cover I guarantee it. If you have any questions about that please email me asap all of you!!!

THIS IS IT!!! LETS GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF NOW!!! Alright yes we all have had the same problems, I have not seen one problem in hear that has not been repeated. Yes this definitely is a big problem yes someone needs to fix this, I'm going to give it my best effort. The Alero should either be re-called or all of us should be reimbursed for all the defective parts we have replaced repeatedly. Anyone who agrees stand up and help me with this. All I need from anyone who is willing is a first name and last name (optional) with all your problems laid out like they are in here. If you have totals of what anything cost you put it in next to the problem. Any problems at all put them down, I will put all comments into one long letter. And I am going to make a detailed list of how many reported Alero parts went out. I am going to put a cover letter including totals being spent by consumers and how these problems are all repeated, and they are all expensive parts, this is ridiculous someone needs to stand up and I am going. Anyone who's in send me an email to banshee_tk58@yahoo.com. A family friend of mine who is a lawyer (has been for 30 years) told me that if I can get 300 of these emails and compile them together he will help me make my case. He is positive I have a strong case, but we have to have as much proof as possible. Lets do this lets get all of these defects taken care of. Even if you don't want to use your real name at least send the email. I KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL FED UP!! So prove it stand up and help me get this taken care of. Thank you and I'll say it once this one stand may not make a difference or could fix all of our stress and problems from these cars its worth a try 1 simple email is all I ask... banshee_tk58@yahoo.com.

I have had my service engine light come on it turns off, but turns back on. I believe my problem is that my water pump is not aligned correctly. But if you have not changed them yet you should change your idlers and belt tensioner assembly and belt of course all same day do not start the car until all are done. Check and see if when your car is on if the belt tensioner moves. If you have any more questions or find out what the service engine light keeps coming on for please send me an email banshee_tk58@yahoo.com.

I've had most of the problems mentioned above. I replace brakes and rotors every few months. The fan would not blow below two then finally would only blow on high. That was actually a cheap fix. The cruise control does not work unless the button is held in. The trac light comes on at times. I have had transmission problems also. The RPM's routinely go up to around 4K for no reason. The rear window defroster doesn't work. The passenger side window makes a noise when going up or down. The air conditioner quit, a leak up near the dash. It's about a 2.00 part, but will be over 1000 to fix it. I called GM and complained when I had transmission problems, but they wouldn't help although they promised to send me a coupon for a free oil change, which I have yet to receive. I will probably never own another GM because of this car, but if I do it the reason will be due solely to the service I have received at my GM dealer. They have been great - - of course I'm a consistent customer.

I swear me and the last poster have the same car my heater don't work less its on high both my windows where making a funny noise now only 1 is due to the passenger window fell inside and don't work no more my cruise control has to be held down to work my check engine light comes on when ever it feels like it just to say hi then goes off all by it self best part is the crappy gas lines they give ya with the car had my gas line start dripping with a small hole then was pouring out within 2 days of said small hole turning into a huge hole if the alero's weren't so sharp looking I would have never have paid for this car I wish I didn't now, but my loss back to the dealership to give them some more money I go.

I have a 2001 Alero. My problem is the drivers side window. It only works when it is cold out. This works out good in the winter as I live in Minnesota. Once it gets above 30 I can no longer get the window up or down. Has anyone run across this issue? Email me at dwc_76020@yahoo.com.

Ah...I see people with the same issues I have with the Alero. I have a 2001 Alero and I'm now on my 2nd window fix. First was the drivers and now the passenger's front need fixed. It cost my $224 the first time, I'm expecting the same the 2nd time around. Very Frustrating!!!

I had a 1979 Delta 88 with electric windows and those worked fine until I got rid of it in 2000 and a 1983 Delta 88 which worked until 2001.

The passenger's airbag cover is popping off, but the most frustrating problem I have now is the hazard/turn signal switch problem. Anyone know how to remove/replace the switch? I saw someone creating a hook-like screwdriver tool.

I bought a 2001 Olds Alero. Yes I too have had the window problem luckily mine was fixed under warranty. My problem is that my car has only 45 thousand miles on it and I have had to replace the fuel pump for the 4th time. At 245.00 a pop it is getting quite pricey for me. As of right now the car is sitting in the driveway until such time that I can came up with the funds for it to be repair again.

On the brakes issue I too had those problems of having to replace not only the brakes, but also the rotors. I figure out that if I went ahead and bought the lifetime replacement from O'Reilly Auto Parts then I have no problem so every 4 months I take a few hours on Saturday morning and replace the braking system. I do this keeping all receipts until such a time that GM has a recall on this problem.

Does anyone know if there is a recall on the fuel pump system yet please let me know at ralf.pietzsch@va.gov.

Thanks.