2001 Oldsmobile Alero GL from North America - Comments

I had to replace the right front hub assembly at about 54,000 miles, it is very well engineered, it only took about 2 hours for me to replace it.

Now, at 63,000 miles, the left front hub needs to be replaced. I think the quality of the bearings is questionable.

Other than normal maintenance items (brake pads, tires, spark plugs, fluids and filters), the front wheel bearings are the only problem I've had with the car.

I do all of my own repairs and maintenance, and the Alero is one of the easiest and best engineered cars to work on out there. Parts costs are cheap to reasonable, and parts are easy to find.

My Alero is used for pizza delivery (wide open throttle most of the time), and it runs better than most v6's I've driven (forget ricers, I dust them off on a regular basis), is stone reliable, and handles incredibly well.

It has a very ergonomic cockpit layout, and inspires confidence when traveling rapidly down twisty roads.

This is coming from someone with 27 years automotive tech experience (mostly import), and previous owner of over 60 cars, and current owner of two high end German marques. My Alero is more fun to drive than the Beemer OR the Benz!

Having owned an Alero GL V6 myself, my cousin having owned one too, I must say that you are either very lucky with your Alero, or... very very unlucky with your german cars! Come on man, how could an Alero outperform a BMW or a Benz :)

If you really think, that your Oldsmobile Alero can outperform you're an Mercedes-Benz S-Class, then there is something SERIOUSLY Wrong with your Mercedes.

Honestly, My wife owned a 2001 Alero V6 Sedan - It was a Heap of Junk!

She replaced with a 2003 Nissan Maxima - No problems with that and a Much more superior car all around than the Alero.

I have a 2002 Alero and I wish I never bought the thing! So far I replaced both front hub bearing assemblies. Both of my power window regulators broke before 100,000. I replaced the window regulators and they broke again. My cd player has broken. I had to replace all the rotors and change the pads every 12.000 or so. I just bought another set of hub bearings for the front (this is the 2nd time)! This car looks cool, but is made very poorly.

I own a 2001 Olds Alero, 2.4 litre. The vehicle engine wise has been fine (apart from a power steering pump) ; it has received regular oil and filter changes, but not much else. I have owned it since new (July 2001)

However, with only 83000km, the vehicle is now on it's 3rd set of from brake pads and second set of rotors. I also have the scratched windows and a cd player with no finish left on the buttons, but the kicker is the front bearings now need replacing.

I only buy GM product because I have access to cheap parts, good job in this case.

We own a 1999 Alero, I can't say that we have had many problems, the ones we have had have been consistent with other complaints read about the car.

1) Driver's side window no longer working

2) Having to replace rotors AND

3) Wheel Bearing and Hub replacement (our newest dilemna)

After researching pricing on the internet this combo seems to be in the $90-$120 range. My husband can put a computer together quicker than you can say 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, unfortunately putting an Alero together not so easy for him. We got two quotes so far the first wanting to charge $255 for the wheel bearing and hub and then $68 for the labor. The second estimate a $400 flat fee for both, hmm not good for us.

I guess I can't complain much the car is almost 10 years old and is still going, just wish I could say I knew how to repair a car so that I could get past the inflated parts price and eliminate the labor rate all together.

For the gentleman that would rather drive his Alero than his Beemer or Benz, I'll trade you mine for one of your hideous German cars...I'd love to take one off of your hands. :o)

I purchased my 2001 Olds Alero from the showroom floor and now I don't feel like such an idiot. I have twice had to replace the rotors, brake pads and once the calipers. Bad thing is I know another one is around the corner. Not sure why it has so many brake problems, but at least now I know I am not the only one. I think my power steering pump just went out last week, but haven't explored it too much. I purchased the 75K/5 year warranty and am sure glad I did. Engine needed to be replaced at 56K because an oil seal blow and within a couple miles the engine seized. Idiot light should really indicate a major leak like that. Overall I can't complain too much. Oh except for the fuel pump that went out about 3 or 4 months ago. Since it was in the fuel tank I had to take that one in. It is a car and at least it isn't 1,000's ever time I take it in.