Faults:

I purchased my 1999 Oldsmobile in July of 2001. We have had glitches in this car since we purchased it.

The first year we purchased this car the back speakers did not work, bearings had to be replaced, ABS had to be replaced 2 times.

Last year we had to get a motor replaced in the defroster, AC/heat only worked on high settings.

Recently, I have had trouble starting my car up. I was trying to leave for work and tried starting my car. It would not start up and a security light came on. I went to make a call to report that I was going to be late for work, tried my car again and it started back up. So far, this has not happened again.

Also, I am having problems with my driver seat. It seems too close to the door and it bunched up my padding in my seat. The dealer is trying to say my warranty does not cover that and I am responsible for that. They want me to shell out over 200 dollars to replace that and say I am responsible when I did not put that seat in that car in the first place. I am dumbfounded by these problems I am currently having.

General Comments:

I love this car, it handles great in all kinds of weather. I am just a bit annoyed by these glitches.

Faults:

Rear defrost broke at 55000 kms. (not fixed)

Shifter lever broke at 60000 kms. (not fixed)

Low pressure power steering line leaked at 90000kms. ($100 fixed)

Alternator rebuilt at 90000kms. ($100 approx. fixed)

High pressure power steering line leaked at 100000 kms. ($120 fixed)

Maintenance work done:

Tires replaced at 105000 km.

Brake pads and rotors replaced at 105000 kms (long overdue)

Sometimes when at a stop sign, as soon as you start to go it will sputter and the speedometer will go haywire for a couple of seconds.

General Comments:

Overall we have to say we are quite pleased with the Alero, it has taken us halfway across the country and back twice with no problems, plus many other little trips. However, it scares us to see all the complaints and we are knocking on wood that nothing major happens to our car.

Faults:

Transmission replaced at 31k miles.

Electrical system problems: Two new batteries, turn signals would not work intermittently, air bag light intermittently, fused link at starter solenoid replaced twice, new starter, dealer shop looked at three times after the first time the battery failed and may have induced some of the later problems.

Emergency flasher switch pushed through dashboard.

Water in passenger floorboard after heavy rain.

Brakes made noise when pressed, even when stopped, shop could not isolate problem.

Air vents smelled musty continuously.

General Comments:

The GLS model with 17 inch polished rims and 4 wheel disc brakes looked awesome too bad its reliability did hold up to my experience with imports.

After owning this car I'm sticking to imports. If we need a family car it will be a Camry or Accord. Now we have a CRV and love it.

Faults:

Nothing, it's a wonderful car.

General Comments:

Oldsmobile's are very reliable cars, my father has owned them for 20 years. And not once have we ever had problems, now I have one and I absolutely love it.