1999 Oldsmobile Alero from North America - Comments

Issues with my 99 Alero:

1. Rack and Pinion Broke - $992

2. All Power windows went down - $1102

3. Water pump replacement - Waiting for the quote from dealer.

I have owned my 2001 Alero since july 02, got it with 26,662 miles currently at 126,450. I have had few minor problems with it..

1, window regulators making noise/growling when using windows. Dealer repaired under warranty. Twice.

2, water pump has been seeping since about 60k miles

3, recently I have an oil leak between engine and transmission, suspect oil pan gasket... what more to expect at over 100k than to have oil leaks?

4, transmission sometimes shudders when downshifting manually to second gear. Not enough of a bother to track it down.

5, clunking etc. from front end, suspect struts or bearing plates.. never done struts on this car...@ 100k.

I have driven this car for 100,000 miles with me in the seat, and have done essentially nothing to it except basic maintenance. Oil change every 4,000 with Synthetic, Trans Flushes every 30k, tune up @ 100k. Fantastic vehicle.

My 2003 2.2 sputtered then stalled out. Does anyone know what the issue maybe? will not start now. sounds like it lacks fuel

I have an 02 Alero, in which I've repaired the following:

1. Rotors... repeatedly

2. Faulty ignition switch

3. TPS

4. O2 sensor

5. Coil pack.

My 1989 Silverado has 360,000 miles on her and has given me less grief. Everything that goes wrong on this car has been expensive to repair.

I have a '99 Alero coupe with a rebuilt V6 engine and about 45K; and now I'm experiencing a weird electrical problem and have no idea how to fix it.

It started as an occasional misfire in cylinder one and then turned into a constant misfire and a constant "service engine soon" light on my dash.

Long story short, I started by replacing the:

- Alternator (ended up being bad)

- Spark plugs

- Spark plug wires.

Still having the same problem I then took apart and tested the:

- Battery

- Coil packs

- Ignition module.

All of which tested good; leaving me with checking all visible and reachable wires, grounds, and connectors, all which turned out to be good as well.

Now normally this wouldn't be a huge problem, you burn more gas and waste money except that now my car will not stay on. It'll turn over just fine, but within 2 seconds of starting it turns off, no sputtering or grogginess, just stops. This symptom is also accompanied by the "open door chime" having a longer and lower wailing noise rather than the short, high pitch bell noise I'm accustomed to. I still have no idea what it could be and it's very upsetting.

Other than that I think it's good car, the front brakes and tires do wear funny, but I've never had any other problems, especially no problems with window clips breaking. (That might just be a problem for the sedan models)

Haven't read all the comments here, but many are saying that you can't' just buy the clips for the power windows -- that you have to buy the whole regulator.

Not so, I managed to buy the clips - $32-ish dollars each.

I love my 99 Alero, I don't want to sound like a broken record, however I have had the same troubles as some others on this site. The wheel bearings on the front needing replaced ($400), the driver side window clips snapping 2 times ($80x2), alternator going out ($120)... the following one baffled me though, While putting my car in reverse to back up at work, the driver side coil spring snaps---HUH? The low tire pressure light always stays on as well. The brakes need replaced more often than normal as well, the two might be related. But aside of these problems the car has been great to drive. Plenty responsive, and corners on a dime. Holds the turns and gets fairly good fuel mileage. The interior is spacious considering the size of the car. I would buy another one.

I Have a 99GLS with a 3.4L that I purchased in 03 with 80k form a private seller. Now the car has about 125k and I haven't had too many problems. About 2 months after I bought it the A/C quit on me tried recharging it, but it looks like it is the A/C motor. First two fan speeds don't work anymore, but I don't mind. I did notice does go through front brakes fast. About 4 months after buying it I have some electrical problem with the fuel system that reads: "Low voltage" fuel pump, TPS, Fuel pressure regulator and something else fuel related. This only seems to be a problem when I fill the gas tank. It starts right up then dies, I have to ride the gas and brake out of the gas station for about a mile or so until the pressure builds back up in the system. I'm not going to replace the whole fuel system so does anyone know what would cause this? I've been dealing with it for some time now so it doesn't bother me any, but my fiance can't keep it running if she has to stop for gas. Oh yeah, I just replaced the alternator that was easier than the brakes. Ultimately I am happy with the car though I keep the oil fresh and engine tuned and it runs fine once the fuel pressure builds back up.

I own a 99 alero four cylinder. I have 132k on it and recently the car continues to run, but the entire electrical system shuts down. The gages, climate control unit, windows, everything. All of the sudden all the lights will come on and the car chimes and the everything works. Has anyone else had this issue?

I bought my 99 Alero used. The used car dealer puts new tires and new brakes on all the cars he sells, I haven't needed new ones in the 3 1/2 years I've had it.

I get regular oil changes and mechanics are always impressed by the engine (it has 118,000 miles). I've had some new belts, alternator (I got that checked out when the battery light came on), and driver's side power window doesn't work (that was estimated at $300).

The only major pain I have had is that my steering wheel locks up, mostly in the winter. I have had new rack and pump, but still in the winter the power steering goes out. I can turn the wheel, but VERY HARD, until I drive for a few miles and it goes back to normal. There is no leak detected, and I've taken it a few places to get it checked out. I've basically given up trying to fix it, and just letting them mess with it (for free) when I get my oil changed. That usually lasts for a while.

Other than that, no other major problems. I hope to drive this car for a while.

I have a 99 Alero V6 and my anti-lock brake light keeps coming on, along with the trac off light, my brakes also make a crunching sound. I read earlier that this may be the caliper; any suggestions?

I have a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero.

Both of my back windows will not stay up; they are electrical and I had someone to look at it, and they gave me a quote of 3-400.00 to fix them. Can someone give me instructions how to get to the window regulator to check to see if that is the problem?

Thanks, Marsha in Texas.

Hello. I'm also the owner of 99 Alero, and have had the same window problems has most of you have seem to had. I would just like to ask where I can find the new clips to avoid over paying for unneeded work. This is the first major problem I have really come across with my Alero. Other than this it is quite the car.

The brakes squeak on occasion due to my driving style. And every once in a while I hear a noise when I put my car from park to reverse. But nothing of any real problems. If I could receive some help for my windows it would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

I purchased a 99 Alero 2 years ago. As with everyone else, my drivers side window regulator went out and the clips broke. I called around and everyone told me I had to buy a whole new window plus the regulator and they wanted to charge me $300-$500. I called a local junk yard. They replaced the plastic clips with metal ones on the original window and replaced the regulator. All that plus labor only cost me $116 and I had the car back in an hour. Haven't had a problem since.

Now I'm leaking antifreeze... more like it's draining. We filled it with coolant night before last, and yesterday afternoon it was empty, and I didn't drive it yesterday at all.