2001 Oldsmobile Alero GL 2.4

Summary:

Good car, sad to see the Alero's never going to be made again

Faults:

2 window regulators and 1 flat tire.

Replacing the brakes for the first time since I had the car @ 89,000 miles, NOT BAD HUH?

General Comments:

I wonder what some of you people do to your cars? I have had no problems with the car. No warning lights, no squeaks, no major parts to replace, only the 2 window regulators because of the plastic breaking.

The Alero is a great headache free car to have. Great driving and great gas mileage. Take care of the car and she will take care of you. I do ALL my repairs myself, grab a book and go!

I have read nightmares on the car, and yes I feel sorry for all of you, but I wonder why mine is problem free and there are others that have the lemon of the lot?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th July, 2006

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GLX ?? 2.4 4 cylinder.

Summary:

Clean, tight, and not too too fast

Faults:

Other than the routine brake jobs (pads and rotors) about every 35,000 km or so, the front wheel bearings go in pairs. This is normal to most GM models. My Blazer would do it too.

Never had a problem starting it, turn the key and it goes.

Blew my power steering pump in one winter, learned how to drive the car better.

Never had fuel problems, just a few costly regular maintenance jobs i. e spark plugs, heater/fan resistor and the pesky turn signal and hazard recall that no one at GM actually admits is a recall issue for my model. Found that by turning on and off the hazards a few times, it fixes the problem.

The major one is the grinding while turning with the transmission, they used Saturn fluid in the tranny and had to pay to replace it.

General Comments:

Good little car, added a few performance items, like cold air intake, Baer brakes at my last job, Eibach Pro springs, Alpine stereo, sub and speakers, Viper alarm, Flowmaster muffler (after I tore my original one off)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd July, 2006

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GLS V6

Summary:

Don't Waste Your Money!

Faults:

Bottom 2 levels of AC knob don't work.

Drivers side window does not work.

Turn signal turns on when it wants to. Just an erratic clicking, no actual light.

Anti Theft System malfunctioned and shut off the fuel line so I couldn't start the car.

Can't count how many times I've had this towed in the 6 years I've had it.

Too many other problems to list that were expensive (More than $500 each time)

General Comments:

The car is fun to ride when it is brand new.

It has way too many problems for a 6 year old car. I started having problems with it at the 3 year mark. Luckily it was still under warranty.

Don't waste your money.

My next car will be foreign! I had very bad luck with my previous Ford Taurus. I could have bought a brand new car with the amount of money I paid to have things fixed in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th May, 2006

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 3.4 six cylinder

Summary:

Mixed emotions!

Faults:

Rotors were warped when I purchased the vehicle. Dealer replaced them next day.

Low tire pressure light always coming on with full tires.

Horrible noise from front tires when turning.

Letters on stereo buttons are wearing off.

Temp gauge constantly reads cold causing service engine soon light to stay on. Had "clumpy" stuff in coolant and have had system flushed twice... still there. I've also had coolant sensor replaced. Service engine soon light still on. We hooked up a multimeter and everything is normal. We called dealership and was told it is probably the computer. Not a cheap part. Has anyone else had this problem?

General Comments:

Owned a Cutlass and a Lumina before this car and absolutely loved them. Thought the Alero would be the same. WRONG! My Alero was the first car I've financed (always had $1500 cars before) and now I am stuck with it having to put all this money into it. I LOVE GM, but am very unhappy with the Alero. I love the look of the car, but just don't have the kind of money to keep repairing it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd March, 2006

30th Jun 2006, 13:07

Hi there. I'm responding because I too own an 2001 3.4 L v-6 Alero. I put far more money into my 1996 (Ford) Probe, but that's beside the point.

I was told that front brakes last roughly 26K before they need replacing on GM's, especially Grand Am, Malibu and Alero models (regardless of the type of brake pad you use). I find this to be true.

I've also spent $350 four times on my front wheel bearings (both were replaced twice).

My struts have seized up on the top portion, which in turn makes a horrendous sound when turning -- almost like a boot or (CV) joint is cracked or breaking, and it throws the car out of alignment as well.

I drive in very harsh winters with a lot of snow and salt on the highways, and I put about 300+ miles on the car per week. As a result, my entire car is visibly beginning to rust, (another GM problem - metal or paint I was told), and my entire hood needs replacing as it is coming apart in chunks near the lip.

My starter has always been reluctant to catch initially, and I had a 6 hour repair job (I had a radiator intake leak -- probably due to rust) done and it involves taking apart the entire engine to access the area.

My radio, CD player, electric windows and seat, and lighting system have never given me any problems. (My lettering and numbers on the buttons are wearing off as well.)

Once I get the struts repaired (another $300), the car will be an extremely comfortable ride as Oldsmobile is always known for their sweet suspensions.

Here's my stats: bought the car (used) in 2002 with 26K (immediately needed new front brakes within the first week), and now (June 2006), I have 132K on it. So, not bad really compared to the Probe... by the way, can you take the key out of the ignition as it's running and not have any problem doing so?

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