2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL from North America - Comments

I just bought a 2000 alero gl this past weekend. so far I love it. I am a big car guy and the main reason it seems for everyone else's problems is the fact that they either don't go in to the shop regularly, or they have no idea how the car works. I know the people who sold me the car and they too are car people and they have not had a problem. I think it's just how you take care of your car, and how you drive it. if you drive crazy and too fast around corners and all, you will probably have more problems than the other drivers. another thing that your problems may deal with is what kind of parts you buy, as well as where you live.

I bought my 2000 Olds Alero in May 2007 with about 91,000 miles.

Where should I begin with the problems

1. Air conditioner doesn't work and makes the most obnoxious squeaking noise.

2. Car would shake like crazy whenever I drove on the expressway. Had to fix the rotors. Still need new tires.

3. Many many belts had to be replaced. I realize this is maintenance.

4. I have the same problem where the security light comes on and the car will not start for about 10 minutes.

5. Low Trac light is almost always on.

6. Today after finally breaking into my frozen car I discovered my rear defroster does not work.

7. My heater also started making a clicking noise.

This car is the worst car I've ever bought.

I bought a 91 Toyota with 100,000 miles more than the Alero and it never had this many problems.

Well, I have a 2000 Alero with 126K miles on it. I have had some of the same problems as mentioned above. It has stalled out on me several times. It was only happening when I drove out of town until last week and finally it happened here in town. Although I was not happy at 6am as I was on the way to work and it was the coldest morning so far this year. This last time it stalled it would not restart.

My mechanic has had it almost a week and has determined the computer has to be replaced so we shall see if this fixes the problem. I am getting to the point I don't want to put more money in this car. I have had it 8 yrs and really have not had too many problems with it. I did have to replace the A/C compressor last summer, but other than that its been mainly maintenance for this car. I hope this is resolved with the computer and I don't have to get another car.

I also bought a 2000 Oldsmobile alero in June 2006 and it had 54000 miles when I bought it. Now it has about 84000 miles on it. Yeah I know I drive a whole lot, but last year I had a few occurrences with the security light being on and I could not start the car. This happened to me more than twice and I had to sit in the car for about 10 or more minutes before it could restart. It was so embarrassing. Now I am just really nervous about the whole shutting down on the freeway and I am just praying that it does not happen to me. When my security light came on, I called the dealership and they said to me I had to bring in the car when it was not working otherwise they would not be able to diagnose the problem. I did not do that because as soon as I got off the phone, the car started again. Recently though, on two occasions I have not been able to defrost my car and the heater has not worked either. One time it took about 30 minutes before the heater would start working and I almost froze to death. Now my service engine light is on and I took the car to the dealership where they say it will cost 150 for the bank1 sensor2 and 150 for the labor; $300. I pray that I will not be forking out any more money for this car.

I have a 1999 Alero and I had to laugh at all these posts. This car is a lemon for sure. I have had many of the same problems with lights coming on for a while and then turning off. My biggest problem has been my windows. I had to replace the motor and some other mechanism which cost me 460 dollars. They are cheap and made out of plastic. I saw what they looked like. Don't open your windows when it's freezing outside. That was my mistake. I am also experiencing severe issues with my defrost. Basically it is no longer defrosting my side windows. Very scary. All in all this car has been a pain to deal with. Only good part is that it is paid off.

I have the same problems with my 2000 Alero v6 220k.

It is eating the rotors, last week I changed my head gaskets, but now it is cutting off on the highway.

And sometimes it will not start for a few minutes,

point is, since I live in Holland, that my car is running on propane and that means that the fuel filter cannot be the problem.

How is this possible? is this just a coincidence or is it related to the headgasket change?

Does anyone know what it can be?

I have a 2000 Alero. Purchased it new and currently have 104,000 miles on it. Today it stalled while I was driving on the freeway. I pulled over and it restarted. I immediately got an oil change and new battery, just for the car to stall 2 hours later driving 30 mph on a side street. I'm glad to know I'm not the only person with this problem. If anyone has a solution please let me know. Other issues in the 7 years I've had it.

-turn signals start blinking at warp speed.

-new brake work 2 or 3 times a year

-coil over the wheel broke in two.

-liquid leaking from my car for the last 5 years.

-the hood is starting to rust

-passenger windshield wiper does not clean the windshield.

March 14th I bought a 2000 Alero from a dealership. I immediately started having problems with the vehicles brakes. In less than 24 hours it was in a wreck because the brakes completely went out!!! Yes, it was totaled. I am very very angry!!!

It's sad to know that everyone is having the same issues with this car. I bought a 2001 Alero in 2003 and just spent over $700 on a brake job. I am wondering if I spent too much, but now looking over the comments, I see that this car is just doomed to have a brake problem, amongst other things. I did notice a slight noise on the left hand side when turning, after I bought the car. I also noticed grinding when it rained.

A week ago, my front brakes just started grinding and it became harder to stop. The mechanic explained that I needed new rotors and pads on the front and if I drove any longer like this I will need new calipers. Due to not having any front brakes, my back brakes were stressed from doing all the work and needed to be replaced as well.

I still need to get my driver's side window fixed which is being held up by a piece of wood in the window shaft. It needs a new motor ($600 job).

I have had the low tire light on, the gasket leak fixed, and my speaker is out as well. All things that have been mentioned by other posters... This is truly amazing.

I have had my 2000 Olds Alero V6 for just about 5 years. I bought it with about 30,000 miles in 2003 and it now has around 75,000. The car is now paid off. I've never had any major issues with my car, mainly routine maintenance.

The main issues that seem to reoccur are the need to replace the rotors every two or three years because they rust so badly - too exposed to the elements. I also seem to have regular problems (once every three or four years) with the power steering pumps, they are just poorly manufactured I think.

I recently had an issue with both driver and passenger side windows. For both, the window fell off of the clips and they needed to be replaced - GM charges like $30 per clip (two for each window) and they are small plastic pieces, I was not happy with the pricing for such a minuscule piece. I went on eBay and bought two new regulators, which included new motors for them, and they only cost $100 for the pair. Replaced them myself with the help of my dad, but it seemed like something that could have been pretty easily by anyone that has any repair ability.

I also seemed to have some issues with moisture in the car after I had a leak from the passenger side window. Now I am having problems with the dash material peeling off. I also have some minor rust along the bottom of the body panel on the drivers side.

All in all, the car has some minor issues, but it sounds like a lot of the issues that other people are talking about are common routine maintenance regarding the brakes and such. Mechanically, the car is running just fine and from the sounds of it, those folks that have greater than 100,000 miles are just starting to experience what should be expected from a car after 100,000 miles.

I bought my daughter a 2000 Alero with 69,000 K on it a year and a half ago. Now it has 88,000 K and we are dealing with the security light coming on and it not starting. We had been told to leave it sit 10 min with the key just in the on position and retry.

I also have a 2004 ALero that I bought last year with 4611 km - and I love it. It now has 18,000 km and I have had no problems, but it is like brand new. The Aleros are still nice cars - despite some of the issues.

It seems like most people are complaining about constantly replacing things. Some people have the same problem over and over again. I don't think many of you realize that dealers do lousy jobs, and that having to fix something over and over again is not so much attributed to the car, but to the job done or to your driving habits.

Also, sounds like people are complaining about common problems in any car, and some also resort to things like having to replace tires and brake pads/rotors. Just regularly maintain your car; if you hear a sound, take it in right away. Every car has its faults, but some faults extend to the driver.

PROBLEM: My blinkers/hazard lights do not work.

SOLUTION: The hazard light switch needs to be replaced. It should be covered under a recall, but not all are. Free - $50.

PROBLEM: My A/C will not work unless it is on the third highest level or above.

SOLUTION: There is a resistor block located near the floor board of the passenger side that needs to be changed. $50.

PROBLEM: My low tire pressure light is on.

SOLUTION: I think someone already posted this, but just open the fuse box on the drivers side and press reset button twice - the light should start to blink - then hold it down until you hear three chimes. Also works for the oil light.

These are three really easy to fix problems; don't let them frustrate you.

I also bought a 2002 Alero 2 door 5 sp. I haven't had too many problems with it at all. Sometimes my security light will come on while I am driving, but it does not turn off, it really does not affect my car what so ever, my dealer said it's probably just a loose wire.

I have had brake problems on my car and needed my rotars and calipers replaced, that took place when I got it inspected about a year ago, and then started making noise again this year, turns out they put in defective calipers and stuff, so it was damaging everything else.

As for the loud grinding noise while going around corners, it is just your power steering, it needs more fluid. Not a big deal.

Other than that, I have had my car for almost 2 yrs and have not had any other problems (knock on wood) just the brakes, but because of defective parts. My lights are fine, my power everything is fine, sure my buttons on the radio area are worn off but what car doesn't really get that when you are constantly pushing buttons? That's GM for ya! Not just Alero. My AC is burnt out since last summer, the motor is dead, but a lot of cars will get that when you are constantly using the defrost because they run on the same motor... so just turn off your defrost when you don't need it, and it'll last longer. All these little things you learn over time. I love the car, it looks great, it's my little baby and I don't dare get rid of it, although after reading all these things it does make me think twice, but I am pretty sure I got one of the better ones that were made. Must not have been a Monday or Friday :)