Faults:

My valve cover and head gaskets failed around 65,000 miles.

My driver and rear right passenger window motors failed around 50,000 miles.

My right front passenger door lock failed around 40,000 miles.

Plastic components (under the hood and in the car) have been cracking since 60,000 miles.

My A/C required re-charging around 45,000 miles.

Engine light came on around 65,000 miles. Root cause was the EGR valve. The dealership conducted a diagnostic test and said that the system was plugged up with carbon.

General Comments:

The car has been reliable for seven years since it was purchased new in late 1994.

The car has always performed well in the following categories:

Acceleration.

Ride.

Gas mileage.

The assembly of the car does not easily allow for repairs by the owner (under the hood or in the car). A tune-up or changing of a valve cover gasket requires dis-assembling an unreasonable amount of the engine. This is due more to the orientation of the engine under the hood. Therefore, the owners of this car have little choice, when repairs are needed, but to go to a dealership and pay for auto parts marked up 100% above what can be purchased on the web along with a mechanic cost of $65/hr. I wonder if the cost/ (man hour) GM used for the design of this auto was even this much.

Faults:

I am having trouble with the transmission. I understand that it will cost $1,000 to fix it. Does anyone else seem to have this problem?