2000 Oldsmobile Alero GLS 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

For the price, this car is a good deal

Faults:

Brake pads and rotors were replaced at 35,000 miles.

General Comments:

I had the brakes replaced shortly after purchasing the car at about 35,000 miles. There is a terrible grinding noise at the end of a stop. Have had this checked out twice and was told that all brake parts were in good condition. I am pretty certain I will need to have my brakes worked on again soon at about 58,000 miles. All in all not too bad. Pretty typical.

The only really big issue I have with this car is that there is a very potent smell of gas when the heat is on. I had this checked out by two mechanics and then by an Oldsmobile dealership, and all three said that there is no leak. I am certain there is a problem, but cannot seem to put my finger on it. Anyone else have this problem? The smell is so bad that I may have to sell it for a different car for fear of damage to my health.

I do notice that the dash is very flimsy and I am constantly pushing pieces back into place on the front right side near the passenger seat.

Warning lights come on occassionaly for no reason around sharp turns.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th April, 2005

2000 Oldsmobile Alero GL from North America

Summary:

Piece of Crap

Faults:

Like many Alero owners the door is buckling where it meets the bottom of the window. It was like that when I bought it.

The lowest three settings on my fan stopped working at 40,000 miles.

My security light goes on when I drive it. That started around 50,000 miles. Now when I go to start my car I have a 25% chance that it won't start and then I have to wait 10 minutes and try again. I called Alero and they told me there was nothing they could do.

Was told by Alero that there was no tricks that I could do to make my car start after the security light went on. I was told by a tow truck driver that I had to lock the door three times with my remote and then manually unlock the car with my key and that will start it. It works!

My sisters dashboard started buckling and she bought hers brand new as a lease. Luckily because it was a lease they fixed it. That was at 12,000 miles.

General Comments:

I would not wish anybody to drive an Alero. There are many websites out there that tell you how many people have Alero's and cannot stand them. The problem is that my Alero is worth $2,500 or less at a dealership and I owe well over $5,000. I really wish that Oldsmobile cared about their cars and customers. I beg you, do not buy an Alero!! If somebody would have told me this before I bought mine, I would have never bought it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th April, 2005

10th Jun 2005, 10:06

I've had the same problem with my security light. Never know when or if the car will start. I've been told that I need a new ignition, but yet they can't guarantee that will correct the problem. I'm not wasting my money on that!

13th Jun 2005, 15:13

If it's the passkey system (which happened with my Alero for ages), you need to lock all the doors, then turn the key once to the left, then wait 25 minutes. It's some sort of voodoo dance/reset thing that the GM Assistance line told me to do.

1st Aug 2005, 21:19

I bought my 99 Alero GL new and it now has 68,000 miles. I drive it an avg. or about 1500 miles a week now back and forth from Sebring, FL to Miami, FL. I've never broke down or had any major problems. At this time however, I do need from struts. They have started making a knocking noise at low speeds. Also, after getting my windows tinted, the front passenger window clips have broke. I really like the cars looks, and the car overall. I think that a lot of people don't take good care of their cars, and that is why they have so many problems with them. Take better care of your car, and you won't have so many issues.