Comments: 1-15, 16-29
Alternator went bad a couple of months ago. Now the battery warning light comes on every now and then, which has me worried.
The driver side power windows are damaged. The plastic clips holding the window to the regulator fell apart. I believe they were glued back together. You CAN'T buy just the clips & replace, you have to replace the ENTIRE window regulator, which costs $260. I don't think so.
Car seems to use an awful lot of anti-freeze. The low coolant light comes on QUITE often.
This was a nice car... for a while. My wife liked it. I'm not so sure anymore. The seats are uncomfortable for my 6'1" frame.
We got the car with decently low miles, and should NOT have these problems, regardless of vehicle age.
I doubt I will EVER buy another newer car again. They are ALL DEFECTIVE in some way, shape or form.
Avoid the Alero, folks. TRUST ME.
Um...Your alero never came with a 3.1 V6.
I am completely upset about all of the comments I have just read on this web site. I just bought my 99 Alero GL from a local dealership for about $13,000. It had only two previous owners, and both had done modifications to it. There has had some engine work done to it, but I am having a problem with the window regulator, the exhaust system is pretty crappy to say the least, and the tranie is kind of choppy every once in awhile. It acts like it doesn't know what gear it wants to go in to? Thanks for reading.
Suggestions. Do not fault a used car for a simple window malfunction, or claim the exhaust is crappy. The exhaust pipe is the same pipe used for every other car. It's your trip length. (short trips allow more condensation to accumulate, rusting the system) Take your car to a garage and GET THE COOLANT CHECKED. It is probably leaking.
Take the car in for a transmission service. It made a world of difference on my car.
It is possible these things are covered under warranty. I know Chrysler has a 7 year warranty... GM should have a similar one.
I am having almost the exact same problems with my 99' Alero. I bought it almost five years ago and it has been a good car to me. Over the last year I have had problems with the power windows. I have three windows that don't work.
My car also seems to get confused sometimes as if it doesn't know which gear it is in. I have also had major problems with the brakes. My bering's and hub assembly had to be replaced last year and now they are having to be repaired again. I found this out when my anti-lock and traction lights kept coming on and my back brakes started making a grinding sound.
Besides those problems, I have nothing bad to say about my car.
I own (last pmt was February 05) a 2000 GLS (3400 V6) with 105K and let's see, where do I start:
Third Fuel pump
Third set of intake gaskets (mechanic said GM released tech ref saying originals are faulty and have remanufactured them correctly now)
Second set of rotors (somewhat expected)
Second water pump (somewhat expected)
Second A/C blower currently out (haven't replaced it)
Second set of front tie rods (debatably expected)
Routine:
Drive belt
Platinum plugs @ 100K
New Yokohamas (Factory eagles went 75K - would have been more had it not been for the tie rods- and my laziness)
Transmission flush 47K & 95K
Regular oil changes.
For fun:
Plug wires
Cold intake
Magnaflow exhaust.
Overall, I like the car. Sure I've had some problems - but I've heard far worse stories. Some of the things above were covered or partly covered under warranty. I need it to go at least another 3 years, so I will continue to take care of it.
The reason I was surfing info was because of the window regulator. I found, as someone did in an earlier post, that you can't buy just the clips. The motor and rails are fine, I just need the clips - as the plastic part shattered into about 5 pieces for no apparent reason. The problem I'm having with trying to order the part online, no one can tell me if the entire assembly comes with the clips that actually attach from the glass to the L-shaped piece that slides along the rail. Anyway. Any info is helpful - thomasmcmillin@ev1.net.
I've got a 99 Alero GLS and it has been a fairly interesting car to own, but fun. I am the original owner and have just past 100k on the car and am hoping to have it for another 2 years. It has had its fair share of issues, but you have to remember it is no luxury car.
Issues & Fixes.
* Been through many sets of rotors and brakes in the front - Finally got smart and had quality after market rotors put on and learned that after every trip to Sears for some tire work, loosen and re-torque the lug nuts to the recommended 95-100lbs (noted in your owners manual).
* Broken drivers side window (regulator) - my buddy that works at a car audio shop did a make-shift fix by drilling the plastic and using zip ties. Never had a problem since.
* Low coolant - $700 repair at the dealership for coolant leaking into the manifold and mixing with the oil.
* Anti-lock/brake lights came on - $500 repair at the dealership for a hub sensor.
* Drivers side seat cushion broke off - $200 repair at an upholstery shop. Been perfect since.
* Water Pump - replaced once under warranty.
* Banging from front struts - Strut bushings replaced under warranty.
* Heating and Air Conditioner blower - $30 blower resistor from the dealership. Located under the dash on the passenger side. I have now replaced it twice, every 50k.
* Rear defrost broken - Still broken, but it is a $104 piece from the dealership that connects to both your defogger and antenna that is in the middle of your rear dash. Kind of hard to get to, which is why I never fixed it.
* Battery light just came on, but I am assuming it is time for a new battery. It has been over 3 years since I last replaced it.
* Transmission feels like it is starting to slip going into second gear. That worries me. I did replace the fluid at 75k.
Any info on the Transmission would be appreciated. I need some suggestions here.
Oh yeah, if the car sputters when turning on and shuts off, check your PCV valve, it may not be all the way in. It doesn't sit too tight.
Update:
* Battery light coming on was due to the alternator dying. Bought a rebuilt alternator for $130 and replaced it myself. It was an easy job that took about an hour.
* Turn signals not functioning properly - I forgot to mention in my last post. This issue is due to a malfunction in the hazard relay. The hazard relay is part of the hazard button in the front dash. This item has been recalled on the condition that you are experiencing problems with it. The dealer will replace it for free or if you have already replaced it yourself, place a claim with Oldsmobile and they will refund you the expense.
Another Update: Had two more issues recently -
* Crunchy brakes at slow speeds and stopping. Brought the car to the dealership and they said they fixed the issue by lubricating the caliper slides. This worked for about a month and the issue came back. Brought the car back to the dealer again and told me the truth this time that this is a known issue when the car gets older and that the only way to truly fix is by replacing the calipers. Not worth doing. Too expensive for an issue that is not too bothersome.
* Problems starting the car. Most people posted this issue as the fuel pump needing to be replaced. About a $600 to $700 job due the pumps being in the fuel tank. Well, I got lucky and the issue was $150 fix. It was the sensor that provides the fuel to oxygen mixture during start-up. All is well now.
107,000 miles and car still looks great and drive fantastic. It is amazing what maintaining a car can do!
You can just buy the clips for the windows. it's gm part #22697623. if your local gm thief, I mean dealer, won't sell it to you go to GMPartsDirect.com. they are about $20 cheaper there anyway.
Update to Crunchy Brakes issue:
* I decided the issue was starting to really bother me, so I did some research on the repair. I ended up repairing the issue myself by replacing the bad caliper. The caliper was $40 at AutoZone and it was an easy job. Problem is all fixed and while I was at it, I replaced the brake pads. So, go for it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. A lot cheaper since the dealer charged me $120 to not fix the problem and only grease the caliper slides.
WOW-- I have a 99 Alero as well as you others and all 4 of my windows have failed. Sooo here I am driving around like Larry the Cable guy with duck tape holding up all my windows--- I had them taped on the outside for awhile and I thought -- this is really tacky-- was a nightmare to get off--- sooo now-- I have moved the tape to the inside lol and have ruined my window tint just to keep my windows up!! I was happy to read the post on the clip part number from GM-- I am gonna have to check into that--
Now for another problem-- I heard this little noise come from the engine and shoot down the back of my car-- and then today I noticed this winding down sound when I shut my car off. My blinkers work sometimes --whenever they decide to want to. Today I was stopped and my mph gauge shot up from 0 to 120 while I was sitting there. Car seems sluggish-- just had my battery changed. The Tranny- use to freeze up and not shift into gear sometimes--but lately I haven't been having that problem... Geez- being a woman --can be a pain when it comes to automotive issues. Anyway-- just thought I would share my troubles with the same type car. I wonder if my alternator is going bad since I am having some weird electrical type stuff happening... Well-thanks for reading...
WOW-- I have a 99 Alero as well as you others and all 4 of my windows have failed. Sooo here I am driving around like Larry the Cable guy with duct tape holding up all my windows--- I had them taped on the outside for awhile and I thought -- this is really tacky-- was a nightmare to get off--- sooo now-- I have moved the tape to the inside lol and have ruined my window tint just to keep my windows up!! I was happy to read the post on the clip part number from GM-- I am gonna have to check into that--
Now for another problem-- I heard this little noise come from the engine and shoot down the back of my car-- and then today I noticed this winding down sound when I shut my car off. My blinkers work sometimes --whenever they decide to want to. Today I was stopped and my mph gauge shot up from 0 to 120 while I was sitting there. Car seems sluggish-- just had my battery changed. The Tranny- use to freeze up and not shift into gear sometimes--but lately I haven't been having that problem... Geez- being a woman --can be a pain when it comes to automotive issues. Anyway-- just thought I would share my troubles with the same type car. I wonder if my alternator is going bad since I am having some weird electrical type stuff happening... Well-thanks for reading...
I have a 99 Alero that I have owned for 4 years (7 payments to go and it is mine!). It has 82K miles on it. It had 32k miles on it when purchased. It was a lease vehicle prior to myself owning it. No major problems. It leaks (very, very, very slowly) power steering fluid. The dealership I bought it from claims they fixed the rack and pinion and the pump, but won't show me the paperwork or the old parts. We have replaced the factory brake pads with ceramic high performance pads and all the crunching noises and awful squeaks and grinding have stopped. We have also replaced the front wheel bearings twice (first ones were no good - company replaced under warranty). The car does seem to wear tires oddly. We are on the second set in 50k miles. We purchased 100k mile tires. And they will need replacing again soon. Transmission is starting to slam going from 1st to 2nd. But only if you stomp on the gas. Over all, great car. Well worth the 8k I paid. I love bee-bopping around in it. Only electrical problem is that the power outlets don't work and we don't know why. One other thing, there is a weird thump in the front end when stopping or taking off from a stop, like something is sticking and letting go. We plan on driving this car until it just won't go anymore. I love my Alero!
I have a 2000 Alero, V6.
I have had all of the same problems:
Power steering fluid leaks. I had the pump replaced and it lasted about a year.
Coolant has always leaked. I have have had the gaskets changed and it still leaks.
The car constantly smells like burning fluids (power steering and coolant)
The A/C blower motor is out.
Both driver's side windows won't stay up. I have pens stuck in them to hold them up.
The front left brake caliper always sticks closed and caused premature wear on the pads. I change the pads myself and it is terrible trying to push the caliper back in.
The jack snapped in half the last time I jacked the car up to change the brake pads.
The turn signals only work if and when they want to.
The trans is now starting to slip and sputter and they can't do a flush at Midas or Jiffy Lube because it's a closed system and it has to go to the dealer.
The car has 137k miles on it, and it drives great on the highway. I am just getting to the point where I feel like the entire car is going to drop away from around me.
I have a 2003 3.4L V6 and so far I've replaced the water pump, the intake gasket and up next, maybe, is the transmission. This car is by far the worst vehicle I have EVER OWNED and I've owned 6 cars. GM SUCKS! I'm glad the Oldsmobile is not around anymore. It's is truly a poorly engineered vehicle.