Turn signals failed. Replaced by dealer.
A/C fan won't work on first two (low) settings.
Brakes have been reworked three times.
Driver side window failed after intermittent performance over first two years.
CD player comes on and tries to eject non-existent CD, then stops and radio comes on without me touching the on/off switch.
Dashboard cover has risen in a sea of wrinkles.
Yesterday my rear-view mirror fell off and is dangling free from the wire.
The manufacturer has obviously spent a great deal of time and engineering skill to make sure that the Alero is a truly marginal automobile. Why nickel dime the owner with shoddy parts/equipment at the expense of customer satisfaction down the road? What were they thinking. I love America and will look for my next vehicle form an American manufacturer, but if the Olds Alero is any indication of the state of the art in cars produced by American companies and their associated management teams (because I can't imagine a line worker putting out such crap. It has to be designed in.) then I don't know what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll walk. Costs less in the long run and at the rate I'm going now my Alero is going to implode one day with me in it, kind of like the house at the end of Poltergeist.
I decided to go with the Alero with so-called bells and whistles (GLS 3400) because it was the same price as a low-end Intrigue... should have gotten the Intrigue. Fortunately, I'm die-hard buy American so I've decided to try Ford next (never had a Ford).
Currently at 120K and no problems for a while. (Knock on wood)
-I had the head gasket problem twice.
-Electronic fuel pump replaced twice (this will strand you)
-Replaced water pump.
-Finally just replaced the defective rotors. No probs since.
-Serpentine belt (arguably routine)
-Driver side power window regulator went out. I replaced it with one off ebay that worked for 2 weeks.
-Hoses (routine)
-Vinyl is rippling and peeling back by the defroster and I keep it garaged.
-Fan speeds 1 & 2 went out under warranty, but went out again after the warranty. I get by with 3 & 4.
-Now there's a squeeking on the driver's side rear, probably suspension
-Rear Door does not shut/seal properly, feels like the window is cracked open slightly.
My 1999 Alero had the problem with the blower only working on 3,4 and 5. I fixed it last night. It is the Blower Motor Resistor, cost about $30.00 form the dealer. Not too hard to get at to change.
Also just got finished replacing the Lower Intake Gasket. Was leaking to the outside for a while, but recently looked like it was starting to leak to the inside.
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