Faults:

Emergency flasher switch repaired under manufacturers recall. Cost $0.00.

Shocks and struts at 200,000 miles. Cost 340.00 (eBay).

Starter replaced at 212,000 miles. Cost $127.00 (eBay).

Intake manifold gasket replaced & head gaskets replaced at 293,000 miles (elective). Cost $1400.00.

Transmission overhauled 327,000 miles. Cost $1095.00.

Tires every 75,000 miles. General maintenance.

Oil change every 12,000 miles (Castrol Syntec). General maintenance.

Transmission oil change every 200,000 miles (Amsoil Synthetic). General maintenance.

Front power window switches/regulators wore out years ago, and have never replaced.

A/C blower switch only works on medium high and High. Minor inconveniences though.

General Comments:

Very pleased with this vehicle. I am still driving on a daily basis with a weekly commute to work of 1100 miles round trip. This is used as a daily driver, complete with trailer hitch for hauling twin seadoo trailer. Still gets 28.4 mpg. Does not burn any oil between changes (12,000 mile oil changes).

Have written GM congratulating them on the reliability and design of this vehicle. Their only comment was that it was not unusual for loyal GM customers to contact them with 500k up to 1 million miles on there cars. I answered yeah, right... And how many engines and how old were these vehicles.

In return for my letter of commendation of their engineering, GM sent me a free oil change. I returned their certificate with a note reading "The only reason this vehicle has performed as it has is that I have been using 100% Synthetic oil since day one. Thanks for the certificate, but save it for somebody who uses your service centers."

Faults:

Upper intake gasket twice while under warranty.

Blower motor resistor at 38,000.

Warped rotors.

General Comments:

The 2000 & 2001 models seem to be of a higher quality than the later 2002-2004 models. Guess this is what happens when the folks building them know that as soon as the last one rolls off the line their jobs are gone.

Faults:

After we first got it, the shifter button fell out.

Then the radio won't work and still doesn't work when rear defrost is on.

It will spit out cd's and say check cd.

Traction sensor went out and wouldn't allow the car to run two days before our wedding. Had to take it to the dealer and spend a fortune.

Oxygen sensor went out.

Driver window will not go down.

My headlights wouldn't go off one night, so I pop the hood to look at it, and the alarm goes off and all the lights just start flashing like crazy. It woke up everybody around me. Had to leave battery disconnected all night.

Have water stains on carpet behind both front seats.

Back passenger door hard to open at times.

Air condition only works on the last two speeds.

I could go on forever baby.

Now it broke down on us at a gas station. I pumped gas, went to crank it up and it wouldn't start. I had to get it towed home. I still don't know what the problem is. I'm scared to take it to the dealer because they always give you the runaround and never really fix it. Come on, I know ya'll know what I'm talking about! This is the worst car you could ever buy. Oldsmobile really screwed us over. Thanks a lot!

General Comments:

Just when you thought you have fixed just about all that can go wrong on the car, hey, just my luck. Something else went out and now I have to fork out another $1000. THIS CAR SUCKSSSS!!!

My advice to anyone who owns an alero, put a brick on the gas pedal and send it over a cliff. Trust me you'll save yourself a lot of headaches in the end.