2000 Oldsmobile Alero 4 cylinder

Summary:

Powerful car with ongoing problems

Faults:

Two months after I purchased the vehicle the passenger side window got stuck. The automatic window motor had to be replaced, and it was replaced under warranty.

One year later, the driver side window got stuck and the motor had to be replaced. It was out of warranty and cost over $200.00 to repair.

The power steering stops working while driving and makes a loud groaning noise for a few days and then the noise stops.

General Comments:

I like the car, I wish they would recall the motors for the automatic windows, I have replaced two. I can still see the window teetering and I am beginning to have the same problem again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th March, 2003

28th Mar 2003, 16:32

Same thing happened to our Alero on both windows. The motor wasn't burned out, but the assembly track that guides the window up/down went bad. Each occurrence was $400 out of warranty of course. Obvious design flaw, this should have been a recall. Pitiful.

30th Mar 2003, 18:49

There definitely is something wrong with the window motors on Oldsmobiles, at least recently made models (1997-up).

I say this because the same thing has happened with my driver's side window motor on my 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette van. It continually will get stuck, and the motor has been bad for over a year now. When I go to the bank, I have to get out of my car in the drive-thru lane to put my checks in the deposit box! That definitely worries some people, they must think an 18 year old kid is going to jack their car or something! Anyway, I went to a local auto repair place and am going to get a replacement window motor installed for about $200 ($50 for the motor, $100-175 for labor during installation). Oh, for the GM days of John DeLorean! The big 3 automakers cannot possibly continue to exist without putting out better cars than the importers' competition and lowering their prices at the same time! These are just my thoughts on the matter.

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2000 Oldsmobile Alero GX 2.4L

Summary:

A good looking piece of junk

Faults:

My power steering pump has been noisy since the day one. I am on my third pump and a set of hoses now and it's still noisy. Can't sell the car because of it. Last time I was at the dealer's I was informed that the noisy pump is a design flaw that can't be fixed. The pump is coupled directly on the cam shaft, it has no "give".

My hood rusted 2 years after purchasing the car. It started rusting from the seam. The body shop deemed it a manufacturer's defect, but GM refused to fix it under warranty because the car had over 60 000 Km. After many calls to the GM customer support, they decided to help me with sharing 50% of the cost. Soon after they called me to tell me that they changed their mind and rescinded the offer. I paid 800 dollars to paint the hood.

I complained about excessive shakes of the shift stick in the second gear only after 500 Km or so. Dealer didn't have a manual transmission expert on hand and could do nothing.

The plastic "curtain" under the front bumper is annoying. It is made of very brittle plastic and breaks on every contact with sidewalk curb when parking. Replacements moldings are very expensive.

Both front wheel bearings gone before 50 000 Km.

Heating fan resistor gone at 25000 Km.

Driver door misalignment caused applique to wear out at about 10000 Km. Dealer replaced applique, but refused to realign the door because: "once you start changing door alignment, you never get it right".

Rotors and pads every 20 000 Km.

Squeaking suspension in the rear, dealer never fixed it.

I purchased $1150 extended warranty and I paid about $2000 for repairs not covered by warranty so far. I've had the car for 2.5 years. The car is a piece of junk. I will never own a GM vehicle again.

General Comments:

The car is very very comfortable. Very comfortable, and it looks elegant. The engine has a lot of power and it doesn't mind being revved. I go 165 Km/h in the fourth gear when passing with no problems. The double overhead cam really helps.

The speed limiter at 175 Km/h is very annoying too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd March, 2003

14th Mar 2003, 14:25

You are just a bad driver... I have an Olds Alero and I have had no problems at all... by the way when you feel the curb you have pulled foward too far.

9th Dec 2008, 12:17

Dude, the car's not bad.

9th Dec 2008, 12:19

Yeah, he's right.

25th Feb 2009, 17:33

I hate this car! Talk about a piece of junk! Nothing but problem after problem, now the dash is pealing up and to fix it is $2000.00, but if you don't it will spread across and down the whole dash.

The doors are starting to bubble up now so it is only a matter of time until those look as bad as the dash.

I was told GM used faulty adhesive in the 2000 Alero's, but of course they are not willing to take care of it and there is no way I can sell it like it is.

I will never purchase another GM product as along as I live! I understand there are problems, but at least stand by what you sell.

15th Oct 2009, 20:11

I feel you. The dash on my Alero is curling up too and I cannot afford to have it fixed. I don't think that has anything to do with driving skills... a lot of non-driving incidents have occurred with my car that have nothing to do with driving it. I had my rear defrost die and my A/C doesn't work properly. The molding around my windshield is coming off and recently my car won't start every time it rains. I regret buying this car.

In reply to 14th Mar 2003, 14:25

23rd Jul 2011, 19:41

How can moldings breaking, paint issues, etc. be blamed on driving ability?