16th Jul 2004, 08:20

I purchased my Alero in November 2003 and now 8 months later the seal around my windsheild has come loose... I have three kids and I took my car in yesterday for them to fix it and DEMANDED a loaner car, I have three kids and I'm not driving around town missing the seal on my windshield! I have also noticed problems with the engine pulling, when I first got the car it was FAST and Sporty, but now it looks more like a bad trade in!

13th Aug 2004, 11:31

My 2002 Olds Alero was the first and last car I'll buy brand new from GM. The warranty has turned out to be more of a confusing headache than a help.

My windshield seal is coming up at the corners, a plastic portion under my dash board fell shortly after purchase and is not fixable, my car is 2 years old and there is not only rust on my windshield wiper arms, but now on both doors AND I paid extra for corrosion protection.

From the day I brought my car home there was a wind noise that the dealer could never diagnose, the car has sounded like a jet taking off in 5th gear since purchase, and the black paint has peeled off the radio buttons. Now, I have a loud knocking under the passenger side, paid over $100 for a road test and the dealer said the car is "tight" and couldn't find anything wrong. Buyer beware...

26th Sep 2004, 18:53

I have a 2001 Alero. Like everyone else, I thought this was a good buy because the Accord was a couple of thousand dollars more and the Alero had the same features. This rationale was penny wise and dollar foolish. The CD player had to be replaced and I rarely use it. Fortunately, the car was under warranty. The turn indicator stopped working (recall). The electric seat height adjustment has stopped working and that is $400 to fix. I can live without it for now. The biggest problem is that the intake manifold gasket had a leak and needed to be replaced for $1000 (American). This is also the last GM car I buy. From now I will buy a used Accord and drive it next to come. I guess compared to other Alero owners, I am getting off cheap.

3rd Nov 2004, 19:45

I agree about this car--wish I had had all this information before I bought my son's 2001 Olds Alero. Something is ALWAYS wrong with this car!!! The brake pads are constantly being replaced; his AC doesn't work at 60,000 miles. I just paid for a new fuel pump (over $500) and was told that the expense was due to the fuel pump being located inside the gas tank... I'm not a mechanic, of course, but I have NEVER paid more than $150 for a fuel pump on any of my other vehicles!!! Oh, and I forgot about the repairs on the wheels. The car is very cute and sporty, but what a lemon. I have owned Oldsmobiles all my adult life and the best thing about them was you could just above drive the wheels off them before they quit on you---with this one I am out of cash and out of luck in the first 2 years of ownership. Honda next time.

14th Dec 2004, 12:25

I have a 2004 Alero GLS Coupe. I purchased it new. It now has over 120,000 miles on it. The only problem outside of regular maintainence has been the resister board for the heating/AC blower. It has been replaced twice. This is for the 3 lower settings on the fan. I've had the front brakes done only twice. The rears are still original. I had the water pump replaced, the radiator, the intake gaskets, and the intake itself, all after 100,000 miles. My vehicle has never been serviced at a Dealer and never will. I've had no problems with the paint or body of the car and it still looks brand new. I've been pretty happy with the Alero and plan to keep it for quite awhile.

I looked at the Honda Accord Coupe when I purchased the Alero, but elected to buy another GM after having good results with 4 other GM that my wife and I have owned.

5th Jan 2005, 09:49

I have a 2001 Alero and just found out my intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced. I thought I was the only one. Guess not! Nothing like giving up $650.00

5th Jan 2005, 14:08

Well, here it goes.

I own a 2001 Alero LS which I have had for 18 out of 60 a month purchase deal. I too started noticing water in the passenger floor, and sometimes in the rear floor, but as far as I know, that's not that big of a deal.

Over time, my car seams to get louder, and looses power. I do drive my car pretty fast (on the interstate at 80 MPH AVG).

I tried to start my car up the other day at work so I could take my break, and my car did not start. I thought it was the battery (or hoped it was anyways), so I replaced it ($75.00) did not work.

** For those reading with simular problems, but have not found the solution: I attempted to start the car, and the battery would turn over, but it felt as though it was not getting that last spark that causes the car to run. **

I payed 70$ to have it towed and 18$ to have it checked out. It ended up being a fuel pump that went bad at 70k miles. The pump and labor will cost $538.

As soon as I get this fixed, I hope to sell the car for a break even price, or close to it. KIA's are not looking so bad now. LOL.

Other than that, I guess I have been pretty lucky.

19th Feb 2005, 11:51

Man I don't know what you guys are talking about... I have a 2000 Alero and have 111000 k on it and it is running so well. The only thing I had to replace on it was the power steering pump, but that was my fault. I own the 3.4 L V6 and it is so nice! Lots of power, Handling is awesome. Stereo is kinda disappointing cause the cd player skips a lot. Overall this is an amazing car.