2002 Oldsmobile Alero from North America
Summary:
Beautiful, but not worth the repairs $$
Faults:
I have replaced the brakes 3 or 4 times in 4 years, each time was because the brakes had either failed or started to grind. Most recently the brakes failed while I had my 1 year old daughter in the car and I almost rear-ended the car in front of me, talk about a scare.
The automatic passenger window has stopped working on numerous occasions, some occasions me and one of my friends had to push the window up with our hands while the other one pushes the button.
The drivers side window operated slowly and the motor had to be replaced once shortly after I purchased the car in 2004.
The drivers side door doesn't shut all of the way.
About a year ago I was driving down the highway and my car stopped accelerating, I took it to the dealer and they said they had no idea what was wrong with it but if it was what they thought it was then it was under warranty, but if it was something else then I would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs that they would have to make.
The buttons on the CD player are worn.
The shifter no longer goes into place on its on, I have to beat it with the palm of my hand a few times to put it into park. As a result the ABS, Service Engine, and Traction light come on immediately after changing gears.
The change oil light comes on randomly, even if the oil was just changed and the light was reset the day before.
And just yesterday it started making this thumping noise whenever I would release the gas pedal. At first I thought it was the brakes again, but it didn't take me long to realize that the noise only happened when I was driving down the road and not hitting the gas or the brake. It was louder the faster I went and it felt like something was pulsating below my feet.
General Comments:
When I purchased the car I was told that it had 1 previous owner, an elderly man "who only drove it to church on Sundays". Which is believable seeing as it only had 16000miles on it. And before my purchase it had little or no problems.
I have always loved my car, as well as my friends. It was always the car we took on road trips and the car we used to carpool to work and school. But in the end I feel that my love for the car is the only thing that kept me making repairs to it, otherwise I would have traded it in long ago.
The frame was good and overall it was a beautiful car, and I will miss it, but my wallet will not.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 20th August, 2008
7th Jan 2009, 19:44
I feel your pain. I bought a 99 Alero last year. An elderly lady had it and only drove sparingly. It had 21K miles at the time of purchase.
Six months later, the alternator dies. Then the transmission (3rd piston (GM bad part)). After that, the brakes went bad.
3 weeks ago, the transmission messed up again, this time it was electrical and not covered under the guarantee from work that was done before. I'm a full time college athlete. I don't have money for all these repairs, but I will say that I do love my car.