1999 Oldsmobile Alero GL review from North America
"Buyer Beware!!!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
No AM radio reception - repaired twice (warranty)
A/C failed - checked - no repair done - began working spontaneously (would have been under warranty).
Push button fell out of shifter handle -$20CDN - no warranty.
Fan on heat/AC only works on levels 3,4,5 (1,2, don't work at all).
Electric seat height adjustment motor runs - seat does'nt move - no warranty.
Power steering fluid mysteriously disappears - no leak found.
Brakes - rotors and pads - 6000km beyond warranty - (non-dealer repair - lower shop rate) mechanic blames cheap factory rotors.
Hazard light button falls into the dash when attempting to activate - dealership estimates $200CDN+ to fix - no warranty.
Fuel gage fluctuates - never reads accurately - dealership blames Petro Canada and Shell gases - approx. $300CDN to repair - no warranty, yet a common problem.
Intake manifold leak - GM covered 50% - still cost over $300CDN.
Water pump failed - another $385CDN to repair - no warranty.
Tachometer/speedometer needles occasionally swing abruptly to the max, then go back to normal while the trip meter resets itself.
In about 1 of every 5 starts, regardless of weather or engine temperature, the engine stalls upon starting and has to be started a second time, usually requiring depressing the accelerator to get the rpm's up high enough to run.
General comments?
Lo and behold, a recall notice was received... for a glove box door latch... of course, not for any of the big-money items.
The car handles well, has lots of power, but what will break next?
Recommended reviews
| This car should have been pulled from the production line! |
|
| If you like spend your spare time working on a car then this is the car for you! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.4L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 4 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 17000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 87000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Caprice |
| Date of Entry | 2nd December, 2003 |