1999 Oldsmobile Alero V6, 3.4L

Faults:

I love my car, but a lot has gone wrong with it in the past two years. I have drove across country with my car and it was holding up.

The first thing that went wrong was after a month of having my car the cruise control went out and only works every once in a while.

Also, the rear defrost doesn't seem to work right it takes 20 minutes to defog my window.

Then the passenger window regulator went out and still hasn't been fixed that happened this past November.

Then in December the driver window regulator went out and burnt up the motor and cost over $300 to fix.

Now the power locks are starting to fail whenever I go over 30 miles per hour the doors unlock.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th April, 2004

1999 Oldsmobile Alero GL V6

Summary:

A terrible purchase

Faults:

Two days after I got the car Interior light fell out of ceiling.

The hazard button fell into the dashboard one week after getting the car.

Rotors and brakes replaced at 31,000.

Rotors cut at 39,000.

Battery and cables replaced and water pump replaced at 55,000.

Driver's window opens when it wants to.

Air leak coming from back window.

Rear defogger broke at 70,000.

Rotors and brakes replace again.

Engine surging and car is dying out- but dealership can't get the engine to do that for them, therefore problem doesn't really exist.

Rotor cut at 81,000.

Replace power steering system at 88,000.

General Comments:

The car is quick and attractive.

Interior is nice overall and comfortable.

Car handles well on wet or slick roads.

I would never buy one of these cars again or recommend anyone to buy one. I had a 1994 chevy cavalier before and never had one problem with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd April, 2004

9th Aug 2005, 14:25

I agree with this reviewer's assessment. I inherited a 99 Alero after my mother passed away and keep it mainly for sentimental reasons. However, it has become a bottomless money pit. My other car is a 2002 Chevy Cavalier with nearly 100,000 miles on it; it's used as our primary commuting car (100 miles each day). I have NEVER had a problem with its reliability (knock on wood). I always know it will start and get me to my destination. The Cavalier is certainly smaller and less powerful than the Alero, but far more reliable and MUCH better on gas.

31st Jan 2006, 10:48

I too have the issue of my Alero surging and dying, but it will not happen when I take it to the shop. I've wasted hundreds of dollars and still cannot fix it. I can't find an answer on the web either. I'm going to end up trading it in to get another car, which is a shame.

2nd Sep 2006, 19:31

It would really be nice if they would recall these Aleros back and check out these problems we are having... just like many of you all - I've had to deal with the same problems over & over again - and a brake job isn't cheap! Not when you got to get them twice a year!!! Not to mention faulty lights, fans, molding, windows, gauges... and whatever else falls apart.

I love the looks, gas mileage is great! It runs and rides very well --------- I've just had so many many other problems - over & over again! I just finally got my car paid off - it wasn't cheap! I can't afford to buy another one - sooooo I wish us all the best of luck who owns an Alero...

1999 Oldsmobile Alero 3.4 V6

Summary:

A total rip off from DAY ONE!

Faults:

From day one, the Alero has had coolant problems. Coolant leak at the intake manifold, then I had to replace the coolant resevoir because it is made out of cheap plastic. Next, the coolant light constantly came on, the car ran hot always, and the low tire pressure light will not go off! The dashboard looks "bubbly" or "wavy", and so do the doors. This past week, had more coolant issues, and the engine finally blew up. PIECE OF CRAP--NEVER BUY AN ALERO!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th March, 2004

18th Mar 2004, 18:25

Your unfortunate experience with this car is one of the reasons that Olds is going under.

4th Jun 2004, 10:30

You said the engine was running hot. Maybe if you would have been smart enough to have the overheating problem looked at, you wouldn't have destroyed your motor.

10th Apr 2006, 15:33

I have an 2001 Alero and its the car not the owner. I had my overheating problem looked at over and over and over and they tried EVERYTHING!!! I have heard nothing, but negative about the Aleros colling system. DO NOT BUY OLDS cars no matter how low the mileage. SOmething will go wrong with the car.