Three months after I purchased the car, I began having what I thought was battery problems. I replaced the battery, but it went dead within two days. The alternator was bad, and needed replaced.
Since I have owned the car, I have had to put three sets of brake pads on.
My turn signals work when they want to, but I have found that gently fooling with the hazard light button seems to help for a while. The estimate I was given to fix the turn signal relay was around $400.00.
My cruise control has not worked in six months.
My driver's side window is the most recent problem. I believe it is the "relay" which is attached to the window motor which has gone bad. The estimate for this repair from a "mom & pop" shop was around $300.00.
Another problem is I have radiator hose or clamp which is bad. I have replaced both the hose and the clamp, yet I continue to lose coolant.
The fuse light in the car comes on several times while I am driving, seemingly for no apparent reason. I have taken it to the shop twice for this problem, and the mechanic was unable to find the problem.
Inside the trunk, there is a black plastic piece which covers the metal of the car. The plastic clips which hold it on are all broken. The piece now just sits in the trunk.
The dome light falls down about every other day.
The passenger side back seat door handle has not worked since late 2003. A mechanic told me that the handle and inside assembly needed replaced. That estimate, including parts, was $500.00.
I loved this car when I purchased it; it was a used car that was within my price range. Since owning it, however, I would not recommend this car to anyone.
The seats are very uncomfortable, and are of poor quality.
The inside door handles are very flimsy plastic which bend when you use them, as are all of the knobs and controls for the vehicle.
I do have the V6 model, and I have noticed that I get very poor gas mileage.
On a positive note, the car is quick and provides fairly good handling at higher speeds. The traction control also seems to be an asset of the car.
I have had the same problems with my 2000 alero. I bought it from a private owner in april and the driver side window will not work and currently I am not even driving it because it just won't start. its not the battery and its not the alternator so we are getting it checked for an electrical problem. I have the same problem with low tire pressure light coming on and the tires are fine. then the turn signals will work when they want to. I am so sad because I love this car and its very fun to drive. also it is a gas hog. not very good gas mileage, I have the v6 too.
The fix for the turn signals is not that expensive. I had the same problem and where the hazard light button is, there is a box attached to that that works the turn signals. I replaced that and I have not had problems since. If I remember right the cost was only about $50.00 and that is guessing high.
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