2000 Oldsmobile Alero from North America - Comments

My wife and I purchased a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero new. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the sun roof jumped track. The dealer had no clue how to fix the sun roof. The dealer took the car to several third party businesses, and finally an upholstery shop fixed it. The blinkers have stopped working, and repeatedly pressing the emergency flashers helps. The electric driver's seat has quit working. The air conditioning fan motor runs good, but the vent system is messed up and barely blows. The passenger, right rear window regulator has broken. Actually, only the small plastic piece is broken, but the motor is fine. The dash began peeling only several years after we purchased the car. The 12VDC power adapter under the dash on the passenger side is coming out of the console. Both rear speakers quit, but were replaced under warranty. Mark my word, GM, I will never purchase any of your crap again!

James Smith

Brandon, MS.

I have a 2001 Alero with 89,000 miles that I purchased back in 2002. Since then it has been a good car, but there have been a few problems.

1) Replaced Ignition switch 2 times. First was to fix warning lights on dash turning on at random. Second was replaced 1 week later by Dealer as part of 90 day warranty on first fix. Claimed first replacement was faulty.

2) Have replaced window regulator on all 4 windows at $400 each. Each time for breaking the little plastic clips.

3) A/C Fan only works on highest settings. Since I live in Phoenix and I always need A/C on high this is not as much of an issue.

4) Turn signal varies its speed and sometimes does not work. There is an extended service/warranty on this by GM for 150,000 miles or 10 years from original sales date. Went to dealer to have fixed, but because it is not a recall they could not identify the extended service. Had to bring in notice from Olds to try to schedule service, but they could not find my VIN on the list of cars available for service. After calling Olds directly and finding out that my VIN was on an updated list that dealer did not see, was able to arrange for this to be fixed.

5) Have replaced front brake pads 3 times and had rotors machined twice, but never an issue with the back and I am about to replace them again. After first replacement, each time I am told that because the last person installed them incorrectly my brakes seem to not be releasing all the way and it is wearing the pads/rotors down. Each time I am also told that they have been installed correctly and it will not happen again.

It's nice to hear that I am not the only one with Alero problems. I have had numerous problems with my 2002 also. I replaced the front driver's side window regulator twice and the front passenger's side once. Full brakes on front and back twice, maybe tree times. Oil leakage. Coolant leakage. Creaks and squeaks. Computer chip malfunctions. Ignition Switch. Right now the Service Engine Soon light came on and won't go off, so I had to get a ride to work. I'm probably forgetting a few things. It's been a pain! I hate taking it to the dealer when I notice something wrong, because they usually say "I don't hear anything." But they still charge me hundreds of dollars. What did they actually fix? I called the company a while back and all they did was give me two free oil changes. When I checked into the Lemon Law, I didn't think any of my problems would be considered in this. It should be though.

I also have a 2001 alero, I have replaced the ignition switch twice, light came on told me it was a sensor problem.

Now I am having a issue with some kind of leak either in the radiator. We drained the radiator and replace new anti-freeze in it and I assume the plug "not sure" when we drained it "being plastic" must not fit right. We replaced the radiator cap. It broke. We replace the windshield washer plastic container and motor twice brand new parts, tore up first time replacing them. I like my car I know it's getting old and there will be problems. But come on 7 years give me a break.

I've been reading every ones comments about their 2000 alera my son has one we bought private party great car at first, fast fun to drive, but one thing after another first the windows passenger side then the drivers what next the car stops in the middle of driving. the dealer has had the car for 2 days and says nothing wrong. we think furl pump dealer say no we also said brain what do you think dealer says your right no.

Cause its still under warranty so why would they replace that.

Now we take it to private back yard mechanic he will find the problem. I will let you know if hes does.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.

I have a 2000 Alero and purchased it "New". About a month after I purchased, my power steering pump went out. 3 months later, my rear speakers went out as well as brakes. Since that time, I have had numerous problems. My heater blew out. It would only work on high speed. I had to get that fix 2x. My gear shift handle broke. I could just lift it off. Had to spend "mega bucks" 2x to get intake gasket fix. Had replace oil pan gasket because was having oil leaks. And today, I tried to let down the driver window & it would not come down. Overall, I thought it was a good car, but since I had the car, I have spent "big bucks" getting it fixed after warranty expired. Currently, I have no intentions on putting anymore $ in the car. My next car will be a foreign for sure. Just from reading other comments, it seems like 90%-95% of have had same problems, which should be a major concern for GM. Anyway, Best of Luck to us all:)

I have been reading the comments here and am very surprised at all of them. I have a 2000 Alero and have never had any problems with it whatsoever. All I have ever had to do was typical maintenance that any car has to have (Oil Changes, Battery Replacement, Brakes, etc.). The car runs and drives like a dream and I've never had any problems with window regulators, heater A/C blower controls, or any of the other problems that people have mentioned repeatedly on here.

My car has 190,000 miles on it and is still going strong. I put 165,000 of those miles on there myself. I bought my car as a repo at an auction back in 2002. This car has been one of the best cars I've ever had and it would not surprise me to get another 200,000 miles out of it at least with the shape it is in now. It still looks good and the paint is in perfect condition. All of the controls and devices still work perfectly. Under the hood is clean and still looks almost new. The interior has held up extremely well and it is clean and looks very nice. The stereo system has never had any speaker problems such as I've seen mentioned here.

Every time I take it to get the oil changed the manager there always tells me he can't believe how clean and good the engine looks inside and out. He also talks about how tight the suspension and steering are. I maintain my car religiously and always make sure everything that needs lube or grease gets it. Also I don't push the car too hard and I always put gas treatment in it to make sure it is running cleanly and smoothly.

It really does sound like GM needs to resolve some issues that the rest of you are having and have had with your Alero. I have had Mazda and Nissan in the past and had more problems with them than with this Alero, by far. The Mazda had constant engine and suspension problems so you people that name Mazda as one of the cars you'd rather have than your Alero need to think again. Honda or Toyota are a better choice. I had a lot of electrical and body problems with the Nissan that I had.

My Alero has provided me with years of faithful, trouble free performance and I've really enjoyed driving it. It gets great gas mileage on the highway and I do a lot of traveling. It has made countless trips without a single problem.

I hope all of you can get some resolution soon and that GM will come to terms with what they need to do to rectify these problems that all of you have had. Good luck to all of you.

Well, it is a nice car to drive, but.

1) the front dash board is pealing

2) the driver side window just fell down so I have to change the regulator (part cost 50 (eBay) to 191 (deal) ) don't know how much part yet.

3) gear switch handle button broke had to get that also.

But at least the tire gave me a low pressure before it went flat...

I hope it last me at least another year..

We recently sold our 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. There is a good reason that GM lost money last year, they make bad vehicles. Our problems and cost to fix are as follows:

1. Left, Right, then Left again front bearings replaced: $2,100.

2. Fuel pumps: 2 of them, total: $900.

3. Heater Core: $400

4. Ignition Module/Crank Sensor $450.

These all happened between 85,000 and 130,000 miles. I feel silly for not ridding myself of this lemon sooner. I will only buy Honda or Toyota in the future.

2000 Oldsmobile Alero GLS.

HORRIBLE car! Fun to drive if you have the money and time to have it in the shop constantly!

I bought the car brand new, 8 years ago. It still runs, but has cost me a lot along the way!

Where do I begin!?!

1. The brakes / rotors have been replaced SEVERAL times.

2. Engine Intake / Manifold Gasket replaces TWICE ($1000+ each time)

3. Water Pump replaced.

4. Fuel Pump replaced.

5. Thermostat replaced ($200)

6. Dashboard is peeling.

7. Rust spots

8. Driver side window (motor, track) has been replaced 4 times. ($300 each time, expensive part)

9. Ignition switch replaced (had to have a locksmith come to my car, in a parking lot, to replace the ignition switch... real convenient!

I'm sure there's more and will add to my list later!

The only good feeling I get is that I see the same problems with sooo many other Alero owners!

I have posted on here before about the problems with my 00 alero. I have looked it up and anyone having problems with the turn signals randomly not working. There is actually a recall on that. The recall came out in 2004 I believe. So for that one problem maybe you can check that out.

I guess I'm lucky after reading all those problems Alero owners are dealing with. I have to say thank god I'm not alone.. I own a 2000 Alero and have replaced the intake gasket (500), and now the oil change light is on. Have no idea how to replace that.

The other day the engine stopped working. About an hour later it worked.. I was told by a mechanic guy it's the fuel pump; "start the car slowly, wait for a minute.. or so before moving".

Windows are not falling down yet. Hope they don't...

First GM/last car.. I'm going back to my japanese car. I owned Honda and Toyota before. Never had these problems.

WINDOW NOT WORKING - HOW TO FIX

I just had my Front Driver Door Window stop working. I replaced the switch - found one on ebay - to no use, it still did not work I used the following link and followed the steps to remove the door pad. I also remember someone saying that sometimes the motor gears jam up so I pulled the motor off the regulator (very easy - 3 10 mm bolts) and then connected it again and it ran off the regulator. This told me that the motor is not defective like everyone seems to think. I put it back on and it works fine. Save a lot of money with a little bit of work. The link below is for the Grand-Am, but is almost identical to an Alero. I doubt that the motors burn out in most cases the gears are probably just jammed.

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

I own a 2000 Alero GL, 3.4L. I bought the vehicle in 2001 with 12,000 miles. Within a year, my service engine soon light came on and my fuel efficiency fell from 300 miles per 12 gallon tank fill up, to just over 200 miles per 12 gallon tank fill up.

Thankfully it was still under warranty, and the dealer replaced the fuel injectors.

Then a couple years later, my car began to sound like an airliner taking off. The Wheel Hub had to be replaced.

Of course, my driver's side window also fell into the door. I replaced the window regulator myself. The new regulator lasted about 3 months, before the regulator itself malfunctioned. (the first time, it was the cheap plastic clip that was at fault.)

I've also had, on and off, radiator leaks. My vehicle now barely gets 180 miles to a 12 gallon fill up. When I do have my blower on (of course, the first two speeds on it don't work,) the engine seems to make a weird noise.

Then best of all, occasionally there is a short in the main power supply to the vehicle. So I'll turn the key, there's a click, the lights start flickering, then a repeated clicking sound comes from one of the floor council light bulbs. Then, after a period of time, the car will start back up.

I am not surprise to hear about all the problems with the 00 Olds Alero. I went to the shop to get my ignition switch change and the next day the ignition switch did not work. My back speakers do not work at all. All four of my windows have fallen down. I have had a fuel pump replace. My signals go out from time to time.