2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL from North America - Comments

11th Oct 2006, 12:42

"Good except it's GM"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

I replaced brake pads as maintenance, but have not had the GM brakes issues I had with my last car.

The back button on the factory CD player didn’t work when I got it, so I bought an aftermarket stereo, then another $100 part to replace the door chime circuitry, which is all tied to the factory radio.

I replaced the hazard switch, which actually causes the turn signal issue, then later GM reimbursed me for that.

I just replaced the blower motor of all things for $80. The tech said it had hunk of carpet in it, which likely caused premature bearing wear. The carpet had to be there from manufacture.

My big complaint was that lower gasket seal took 3 days and a thousand dollars, and why would that ever wear out with normal use?

Other than that, I don’t have any overall complaints with this car. I find it economical 29mpg and comfortable which is what I wanted, but it is my last GM car. They engineer for crap and don’t care how much it hurts to own their products. $1000 for bad design on this car, probably over $3000 for the rear calipers on the last GM car, plus the stress of driving around wondering what every little noise is and how much it will cost.

My next car will be a Honda or Range Rover. Bye GM.

General comments?


12th Oct 2006, 08:05

"Bye GM."

- Me too!!!


19th Jan 2007, 10:26

Here we go again. you drove about 70,000 miles and a manifold gasket is your biggest problem. a lot of drivers wish they had your car. a lot of camry owners with sludged up engines. a lot of taurus owners with bad tannys. a lot of mazda owners with bad a/t trannys. a lot of century owners with bad trannys. a lot of suv owners with low mpg, s. etc, etc!


30th Jan 2007, 10:34

I've had the same problems with my 2002 Olds Alero...I've had the tailight assembly replaced because the turn signals would blink uncontrollably and I've also had problems with the head gaskets which cost $1400. Now I am dealing with the hazard switch problem... Once again my Olds Alero will be in the shop for repairs. Next vehicle will NOT be a GM!

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