2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL from North America - Comments

I have had constant problems with the brake system so far. Numerous times the brakes have been replaced as well as the rotors. It seems as though every time I get a brake job, I expect to get new rotors. At one time, I had the rotors replaced by the dealer after arguing that it was the Oldsmobile's problem. He agreed that the car has "cheap parts". I keep up very well with all the maintenance therefore, I am baffled when I get my brakes done.

I also noticed that the car does not run as smooth as it did when I first got the car. This issue began at about 20,000 miles.

The car does make a loud grinding sound when I turn the wheel. When explained to the dealer, he said this was not a problem to worry about.

The interior of the car is very hard to upkeep. I constantly have it detailed and it never seems to look as wonderful as it did before.

The handle to the rear passenger door does not work at all. It takes several times to jerk it open from the outside.

Gas is high in price to begin with. I travel 5 miles back and forth to work and I am still filling up 2 times a week.

I am currently investigating the mystery of my Service Engine Soon light that will not go off. Has been looked at by my garage and no reason for it.

This car is not at all the value that I paid. I cannot wait until the lease is up.

Love the look of the car. In fact, that is the top reason I liked that car. Very roomy. All the temperature controls are great. Handles the road very well at high speed. Accelerates to high speed pretty quickly considering the smaller engine.

I own a 2002 Alero with a manual 5 speed transmission and just recently had it in to the shop for repairs. I also experienced the loud grinding noise that came from the front end (especially when making sharp left hand turns)... the garage ended up putting in heavier/thicker transmission oil (actually what is used in a Saturn). Apparently, there is a bulletin available to GM Service Depts that explains what needs to be done when customers complain about this problem.

I also had a Service Engine Soon light which would not go away. When I had the code reader attached it said running lean and multiple misfires. When I took it to the dealer ship they have told me that two of the fuel injectors are bad and the other two need to be cleaned out. The car only has 32000 miles. With bad gas mileage, I would expect that you are having the same issue.

Desa in Arkansas.

I recently purchased a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. I bought it because it was nice looking and roomy, and drove good when I went for a test drive. After only 40 days, trac off light came on, gas needle jumped from full to empty. I had it towed to the dealership because it was making such a loud noise when I cranked it up. The dealership told me it was the gas gauge or something, and they ordered a part. In the meantime, they took the wires loose where I could drive the car. I made a big mistake taking that car from the lot... it put me down beside the road 1 week later. The part came in and I am scheduled to pick it up today. I do not trust this car and would not recommend it to my worst enemy. I think this car is definitely a lemon...

Hi. I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL. I loved the car when I got it. Now the service engine light goes on and off whenever it feels the need to scare me. Also I had random misfires on the engine. Garage tells me the Fuel Injectors are blocked and to use an injector cleaner whenever I fill up. This car is my worst enemy also. Sometimes I feel like it is possessed. I get it out of the garage and two weeks later something else it wrong. My low tire pressure light will not go off either.

Word to the wise, Do not buy this vehicle. Nice look to it, but that's about it. This car will truly nickel and dime you to death.

I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. I bought it new from my local dealership. Since I purchased it (and the majority of the things listed happened within the first 3 yrs of owning it) I've had to have the windows worked on (both fell off the tracks and started making marks on the glass when you moved the window open or closed), the overhead light kept falling down (due to a clip being broke when the car was made), the passenger seat had both the lock on the back and the runners under the seat replaced (ball bearings FELL out of the runners) and the drivers seat also had to have the seat lock replaced too (the seat locks repaired twice now). There's something the dealership keeps calling an "all systems switch" that keeps making my turn signals and flashers go out after driving the car for a little while (also told there are other things that will go out eventually too) and the only way to keep that from happening is to keep the defrost on hot, full blast (real nice in the summer.. not!) OH! Lets not forget the all popular rotors. They have been replaced 5 times now. The problem with them seems to be that they made them thinner than the average rotors on other vehicles and also made them where you have to use GM brake pads or they go even faster. Rear view mirror fell off, the radio had to be replaced along with one of the speakers (must have been the guy that drives it to where it's hauled off to the dealerships that busted the speaker.. "laughs"), rear seat (bottom part) wouldn't lock into place after they'd had it out working on the speaker and I'm sure there's more, but just can't think of it right off hand.

I had my car at the dealership more than I had it, least it seemed that way. The deal with the rotors, make sure if anyone takes it to the dealership that they don't talk you into just having them turned (this will just make it sooner that you'll end up right back there again). They know there are problems with them and why there is problems. Using other brake pads don't help and CAN cause them to go out faster than they would normally. I sure wish they'd recall these things. If for nothing else, because of the rotors. They have or had a really nice design, but it seems like they skimped on things here or there to keep their costs down. The grinding that some have talked of when turning, to me (and I'm a woman so what do I know.. "laughs", but I have done a bit of research along with worked on enough cars to say that it definitely sounds like the trans axle and YES this can be dangerous) We had a truck that had one go down and the wheel comes out from under the car/truck so I'd beware of any one telling you not to worry, look into someone else. Second opinions are always a good way to go! Good luck to everyone and their cars!!

Purchased 2001 Alero Gl in 2002. Yup, same as you all. I identified a popping sound in front left wheel esp. when you turn sl. to the right. NO one has been able to identify it. The wheel constantly shakes while driving, service engine soon -trac off- anti lock -is my reading material lately on the panel. My rearview mirror was dangling from the wire connection today. The front end bumper has had the paint job repaired, but still has "pock marks" all across the front. Anyone else with the window lock button broken? Dealer told me $100.00 for new switch, told him he could keep it. The radio buttons finish is worn off, the seats after the dealership cleaned and detailed the car has bald spots in the material. The rear seat does not conncect to the floor frame, is loose and squeaks. One plastic floor/door panel is loose from floor board. Yes, the body style I love, unique, roomy. The interior is poorly and cheaply made. I am disappointed in this car and I know I did not get my money's worth.

I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero with several problems. my brakes and rotors have been replaced several times, my rear doors are hard to open, my cooling fans will only run if the air is on and will over heat very easily, I have had the water pump and upper and lower head gasket replaced, my service engine soon light stays on, there is a grinding noise when you turn the wheel. I really thought this would be a great car, but it has cost me lots of money in repairs. I have read other comments on this make and model and they are all the same. this just tells me to get another Honda.

Alisha-north carolina

I brought my 2002 Alero on February 14,2003.

At first my tire pressure light wouldn't go off.

I was told to reset it and it worked. The car is very roomy, nice, and not expensive. But, for the past five month, I've having problems with my brake. When coming to a complete stop, I hear a loud grinding sound. If you're having the same problem please contact me by email.

norahs11@hotmail.com.

Sharon C

Chicago.

My wife and I are currently experiencing many of the same problems with the 2000 Alero GL. First, problem with brakes making grinding noise. Seemed to fix that by getting better rotors installed. Now having problems with car being hesitant from a stop. The garage has already flush/cleaned the fuel injector system... that has not solved the problem. Now after putting car back on computer test, it shows cylinder number one, fuel injector is bad. I guess GM has put out a memo the garages that due to poor fuel quality these injectors break down. Now have about $500 invested with just fuel problem. We'll see if it's fixed when I pick up today. Phil...Michigan.

We have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. the "low tire pressure" light won't go off, and there is something wrong with the blinkers. the mechanic is having a heck of a time fixing the turn signals because the owners manual doesn't say where they are. otherwise, it runs fine -- good gas mileage, quiet engine, no real problems, but that light and the stupid flashers. but I'm sure they'll fix them.

Hi. I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero that I purchased used from a dealer in March of 2001. For the most part, I have enjoyed my Alero. Have not had any mechanical problems, just a bunch of minor nuisances. As I read some of the other comments, I've noticed that a lot of other people have had the same exact problems that I have had. First of all, my turn signal stopped working last year, but I was lucky to discover that there was a GM recall at the time on that very part so I was able to get it replaced without charge. Next, my traction light came on and stayed on for awhile. Now it just kind of flashes on and off from time to time. The power window on the driver side stopped working so I had the motor replaced in the window. Now the window lock does not work. Also, the dash cover is rippling and coming up. The interior light falls down sometimes when I hit a bump. I know it sounds like the car is a lemon, but in spite all of these minor "nuisances," I still must reiterate that I have not had any mechanical problems with the automobile.

Hello, I also have a 2000 Alero GL. I guess we have been fortunate, as we have not experienced as many issues with ours as I have seen posted here. I wanted to post this to maybe help those that have experienced the Service Engine soon Light.

This has happened recently to me as well. I took the car to have diagnostics done and all seemed fine except for the mixture. I have some knowledge of Auto mechanics and thought to try to vent the Gas tank by taking the cap off and replacing it. After five minutes on the Highway the light went off and has not come on since. It is a simple issue, but it seems to have worked. This has happened to me on other vehicles as well. With these newer gas tanks and emissions I have found that tightening the gas cap according to the directions post in the manual or on the cap has been most effective in issues such as this.

I've had my 2000 olds alero for few years now and I've had the brakes worked on about 7 times in the last 2 years I thought it was just my car or lousy mechanical work. but after reading all the comments it's not. now the whole front end is making new noises. I've been told I might need a new axle. where does the work end on this car or has it just begun?

Well I don't know what all the problems are about. I have a 2004 oldsmobile alero and I've had no problems yet. and that's including the fact that I got sideswiped. (which by the way is fixed and perfect again) as far as the fuel injectors go it sounds like some of you need to use fuel injector cleaner which you just buy from an auto parts store and add to a full tank of gas. doing this every 3000 miles really does the job. when you get your oil changed... which should be every 3000 miles or 3 months buy some injector cleaner and add it. it's easy enough.

I just bought a 2000 Alero sedan and only issues are:tire press light, a/c blower doesn't work on first 2 speeds, and rough idle when engine is cold. Small items I can fix:)

Blinker prob that I read on here is a recall item:

Summary:

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.

Consequence:

WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Notes:

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 03043.

Other than that so far it's a pretty cool car with nice pep to it:)