2002 Oldsmobile Alero GS 2.2 from North America

Summary:

It is not worth the money - it's a piece of junk on wheels

Faults:

It was delivered a week late, and with a large paint chip missing from the passenger door. It's first trip to the repair shop!

Within a month, I started hearing the warning chimes for low tire pressure. Had the tires checked several times, and each time was assured the problem was fixed. In fact, one day the repair service manager promised that I wouldn't have to deal with low tire pressure again, and twenty kilometers later the warning light and chimes came on.

Three months after buying the car, the battery failed - it had to be towed to the dealership for a new battery. I was still dealing with low tire pressure too.

Last summer both the power windows failed: passenger side first, then two weeks later the drivers side went.

In January the heating system broke and had to be repaired.

Brakes started to fail in December; the shop machined the rotors and replaced the pads. In March the ABS/Enhanced Traction System started acting up (during a snow storm), and two weeks ago GM agreed to replace the rotors because the brakes once again were failing.

General Comments:

This car doesn't feel safe to drive. I am not confident that it'll get me from point A to point B safely.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th April, 2004

25th Oct 2006, 07:58

I to have had several of the same problems. I purchased my Alero new for $17,500 with 43 miles on it. It now has 100,000 mils on it, but over the course of the last few years, GM has put over $24,000 in repairs into it. I too will never buy another GM car. There is a reason why they are having the troubles that they are... You figure it out $24,000 in repairs for a $17,500 car???

2002 Oldsmobile Alero GX 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Beware of the Oldsmobile Alero it's a poorly made car.

Faults:

1) Warping on Dashboard and Driver Side panel.

2) Head unit (RADIO)...paint on buttons peeling off.

3) Emergency Brake...BROKE.

4) Drive side mirror adjuster..BROKE.

General Comments:

Even though this car comes with 3 year 36,000 mile warranty WARNING: Emergency Brake warranty is only 12 month or 12,000 miles. If buying this car don't extend warranty to 5 yrs. because it only covers rust and nothing else.

Emergency brake is one whole piece so if one little part of it needs to be replaced it cannot be done. The whole thing needs to be replaced.

Rear passenger seats are very uncomfortable.

Oil Filter is internal in this car so if you take it in for an oil change it will cost more than most cars.

Coupe models on the passenger side entrance when moving the seat forward to let other passengers into the back seat and putting the seat back to the same position it was in first, you have to pull seat all the way back and find where exactly your seat was before.

This car does not keep it's value. I bought it for 13,000 and is only worth 4,000.

I would never buy a GM car in my life again. The Oldsmobile Alero was poorly manufactured.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th January, 2004

7th Apr 2005, 21:34

We change the oil in my 02 alero all the time and the filter is easy to get to. Is your mechanic a trusted one? B/c it shouldn't cost more!!

26th Jan 2006, 10:01

I have had my Oldsmobile for only 2 months and I just put 700.00 into it. My dad says that is normal for a new car, but I had an old beat up Buick and I had it for a year and didn't put a penny into it.

1st Dec 2007, 18:50

We got two of them, 2001 models, one GLS full loaded with 188,000 miles, and one GX with 110,000 miles.

The fact is the Olds Alero always had a standard 5 year 60,000 full warranty covering the whole car, and that was the one of the main reason we purchased Olds cars.

We do oil changes around 8-10 thousand miles with synthetic oil faithfully. Other than changing both wheel bearing, and the electric fuel pump, on the GLS at 170,000 miles, the only other items installed have been brake pads, rotors and plugs and wires.

Both of these cars have been great (knock on wood) dependable and economical vehicles with little maintenance cost. The sad part is we just can't go buy another new one!

23rd Mar 2010, 21:56

My Alero's timing chain broke on the highway, and I was nearly killed. The damage extended to the motor and I had to replace the motor, etc.. I had to go to a private mechanic, because the dealership wanted to charge double the price. This occurred when I just got over my warranty (pointless to buy extended warranty). Currently, the car will not start and every single light goes off. I can't wait to get rid of this car, and will never entrust GM vehicles, but I do look forward to purchasing a new vehicle that is not GM.