Faults:

Wheel bearings have to be replaced every 3-5000 kms.

Brakes have to be replaced every month or two.

Keys will not come out of ignition most of the time.

When it rains, the driver's side fills with water and also leaks onto the fuse panel, which sometimes causes the car to not start.

General Comments:

This car is the worst car I have ever owned.

This car gives poor fuel economy.

I guess that's why GM closed out Oldsmobile, because of the garbage they made, such as the Alero.

Faults:

My wife and I have enjoyed our Olds. It's only had minor issues that over time are sure to happen.. i.e. Driver's door window switch needs replaced. Rear defrost is not currently working.

It handles wonderfully, and has more power than it really needs. I change the oil every 3000 miles with high mileage oil, and it consumes almost nothing.

General Comments:

Too bad they didn't make an SCCA version of this car.

I wish the sound system was nicer, but then again, I don't know what other options were available.

Faults:

Blower motor resistor fried - cost less than $35.

Passkey sensor went bad - dealer wanted $750 to fix it. I went online and found out how to disable it - security light stays on, but who cares - right?

Manual adjust seat fore/aft lever doesn't always work.

Auto trans shift lever broke - cost $45.

I have had trouble with front rotors warping - but I used to drive it like an idiot. Haven't had that problem in the last 30K.

Trans under full throttle 1-2 shifts seem soft. It's been doing it for the last 35K, so I'm not too worried.

LF ABS sensor went @ 180K - cost $85

General Comments:

I couldn't ask for a better car. I have owned it for 6+ years. The passkey problem kept me from driving it to work for two days out of six years - I can't complain really.

Performance is OK - it's a 2.2L after all. I get a consistent 29-32 mpg hwy @ 70 mph. It drops to 29 @ 80 mph.

Overall the best car yet. I'll see if I can make it to 500K. If only the tires would last forever!!

Faults:

Wheel bearings needed to be replaced (under warranty)

Fuel pump failure (thanks to a friend playing a joke, putting stuff in my tank.. not because of the car)

Squeaky brakes.

General Comments:

Besides the general upkeep (oil changes, wiper blades, etc) it has been very inexpensive to own and run, and has been quite reliable.

Faults:

Seems like this car should be yellow, it's a lemon and I am getting awful sick of repairing it every week or two.

What has gone wrong

-Wheel bearings (Both were replaced within a week apart)

-Front end Bushings

-Tie Rod End

-Brakes

-Intake Manifold/Head Gasket

-Battery

-Alternator 4x

-Window Regulator

-Gauges--They go all over, and seem to go crazy.

Also I noticed that the instrument panel lights randomly come on, and go out.

General Comments:

I like the performance of this car but in the reliability and comfort department it is an absolute piece.

The seats are hard, and not very comfortable after travelling for about half hour I get sore.

It's left me on the road 3 times in the past week and a half.

First time battery light came on, went out. Drove it over the weekend, then battery light came on along with check engine. Then car stalled. Had it towed to a mechanic who said that alternator needed replacing, gave the go ahead and was replaced. Went and picked it up, didn't even get a block away, when battery light returned and car died. Went back to the mechanic, it was the alternator AGAIN, and there was an electric short, so the mechanic spent 2 days looking for the short, finally found it in the window regulator motor. That was replaced.

Took a rental for the day and had the car back the 4 days later. Went out on Sunday and went to leave to return home when "low coolant" light came on, checked coolant reservoir and coolant completely drained from reservoir.

Refilled reservoir tank, leaked out again. Took in to dealer, found Intake Manifold was gone..

Got the car back this morning, and this afternoon about 12:30, went to store locked car with remote and the horn sounded funny. Went to start car and won't turn over. Spoke to dealer that fixed Intake, and Service told me to bring it in. Finally after sitting for 2 minutes it started. Went down the street on way to GM dealer, when battery light returns along with "check engine" car starts bucking and jerking.. stalled. Had to get towed back to mechanic. Still waiting for diagnois. Have another rental, and honestly cannot afford repairs on this car all the time as I am a student, and also can't afford rental bills either! No more GM for me. I've had it.