2003 Oldsmobile Alero GL 3.4 Liter from North America

Summary:

Another GM lemon!

Faults:

The blower motor went out at 50,000 miles.

The sunroof drives me crazy! I'm not sure why, but whenever I go over the slightest bump in the road, it makes an odd snapping/creaking sound.

There are tons of other little noises due to poor quality manufacturing of the interior. There is way too much plastic.

The driver's seat wobbles back and forth. It also makes a squeaking sound when it wobbles.

The paint on the radio dials seems to be chipping off, and the entire tuner knob has fallen off altogether.

While at a stoplight, the car feels like it is about to die. I'm not sure if it's a bad fuel pump or maybe fuel injectors, but it's getting progressively worse.

I have to hit the dome light a few times in order for it to turn on.

The lights behind the speedometer flicker from normal brightness to dark for no apparent reason.

Every now and again, the car sounds like it doesn't want to start. It always does, but I'm not sure if that's an indicator that something is going bad??

General Comments:

This car is absolutely horrible. When I first bought it (about 8 months ago) there was nothing wrong with it at all. Everything ran perfectly, there were no noises, and it was enjoyable to drive. Now here I am only 8 months later and the whole thing is falling apart. I would not recommend this car to anybody. What happened to Oldsmobile? They used to make great cars! I will never buy GM again. I wish I had gone foreign. Buyer beware!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th February, 2008

18th Feb 2008, 18:03

Buying an abused and ragged-out 5-year-old Olds is hardly a reason to attack GM. My 8-year-old Grand Am (same car as the Alero) has been totally flawless, as has our 2003 GMC Envoy. Looking at the nosedive in build quality that the Japanese and European cars have taken in recent years, I'd prefer a 4-year-old GM to any NEW import.

Our experience with both GM vehicles and GM dealers has been nothing but positive and upbeat. The current crop of GM vehicles are some of the best in the world. Car and Driver and Motor Trend seem to agree. Nearly half of the "World's Ten Best" were chosen from GM cars, and the outstanding Cadillac CTS was chosen Car of the Year.

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2003 Oldsmobile Alero GL 2.3 from North America

Summary:

Piece of junk!

Faults:

Front Wheel Bearings, both sides, replaced every year I owned it.

Front brakes replaced 3 times.

Ignition module replaced just outside of the warranty.

Heater module replaced.

3 sets of tires.

Repair engine light always on for no apparant reason.

Kept stalling.

New fuel pump.

General Comments:

I will never buy a GM again and I was a GM fan all my life. The experience I had with this car has so soured me towards this product that I will never own another. I have a ten year old Suzuki that is more reliable than the Alero. Unfortunately I had to keep it past my lease because of the high km's and I practically had to give it away when I was able to ditch the piece of junk. I sold the 4 year old GM and kept the 10 year old Suzuki with higher mileage. That should give you some idea about how badly the car performed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st January, 2008

18th Feb 2008, 11:29

I had almost the identical experience. I kept my 12 year old Toyota with 185,000 miles strong and sold the Alero for pennies.

9th Mar 2008, 22:01

Most of these reviews surprise me... I bought it used, I have had my car almost two years and put just under 30,000 miles on it.. which puts it at 88,000...

ONLY ONE PROBLEM that whole time, the fuel pump went out. I was driven non-stop from mt to ca and somewhere near San Diego it went out. They told me about 1,200 to fix it, but I was fully covered.

Since then it's been a great car, the driver window struggles to go up, but it always does. I would get another Oldsmobile if they still made them... I don't do imports, so it will be PONTIAC (they are the same anyways)...

1st Jul 2008, 17:14

I have an 03, bought in December of 03. I have replaced both wheel bearings (front wheels).

Had to replace brake pads within one year, twice; no it's not the driver!

Replaced intake gasket.

Both of the plastic clips that hold the electric windows in the track have broken, 35.00 a pop. 175 per window at the dealer.

Now I have a crunchy squeaky noise coming from the front drivers tire area. Not to mention the check engine soon light is now on.

This car has had routine oil checks and changes, plus all filters as needed. It has 83,000 miles on it and had 20,000 when I bought it.

Hate it, got a piece of junk, looking for a new one.