3rd Jan 2007, 16:32

I was going to comment on your remarks, but I'm sure they would be deleted. Big ticket items may have been the wrong choice of words, but being single trying to make it on $30,000 +/- yearly, anything over 300.00 for me is a big ticket item.

8th Jan 2007, 09:41

2002 Olds Alero with Passlock 2 problems. I used this method for turning off my Passlock system to avoid big money replacements. Do a google search for "passlock disablement for remote start capability". There is no need to install a remote starter if your goal is to keep from being stranded again. Don't do this if your car is still under warranty! I've been problem free for 1 and 1/2 years now.

8th Jan 2007, 19:57

I myself own a 2002 3.4 liter Alero. I bought in 2003 with 23,000 miles on it. I too have had many problems as others have said the have had. I had to replace both driver and passenger side wheel bearings in the first 3 months of owning my car. Then I started having problems with the blinkers, took that into get fixed and that was $300. A month later went to start my car and it would not start. My step-dad who is an auto mechanic came and towed it away and figured out it was the Pass-lock and my car thought I was trying to steal it. I have had my brakes replaced often since. Then about one year ago I went to start my car, would not start. My husband got it started, we drove it right to the dealership and had the Pass-lock fixed for $550 since the dealerships are the only ones with the computers to find out what the error is. Then about a month ago, I had very little power when I went to go accelerate, found out it is my catalytic converter. My step-dad said usually when the catalytic converter goes; something else goes, so I am just waiting. I would never buy an Alero again.

11th Jan 2007, 10:15

Wow I'm not alone. I also to purchased one of these rejects cause it was a great looking car (pretty red paint with the shiny 16 inch wheels).40,000 miles on it when I got it ran fine up until I hit the 47,000 mile mark my sunroof didn't close all the way and it was time for brakes. Then about a week later I needed rotors. Replaced them fine. but at about 59,000 miles I need brakes again a water pump, intake gasket and now at 63,000 miles the car rides very slow and I it has some of the same problems as the previous comments and now I'm gonna get rid of this problem car. It's a pretty sporty looking car and rides nice until something goes wrong and I'm tired of it. It's got to go. I wish I had done my homework before I signed on the dotted line!!!!!!

13th Jan 2007, 13:39

Well, I must be one of the few lucky ones. When I purchased it initially (33K) they had to put a new heater control assembly into it. It now has about 140K and other than brakes and rotors, my car has been problem free. It is driven daily on short trips in the interior of BC, and long trips in cold weather (-27C yesterday). I am having trouble again with the heater control assembly, and probably will end up replacing it soon.

14th Jan 2007, 07:52

I am another unsatisfied Alero owner (2002) It seem the dealers are overwhelmed by the problems with this car. I have always bought Ford or GM. But they need to improve quality if I am ever to buy another.

My Alero:

Dash board crumble after 2 years

Steering wheel grinding

2 sets of brakes 40K miles

Drivers window broke

Head gasket blown

Coolant indicator leaking

Front tires will not hold air for more than three weeks

I will look hard at my next auto purchase. I have long been an advocate of buy American. I really do not have a reason to think that way any more.

23rd Jan 2007, 10:51

Jan 23,2007

We have a 1999 Alero. Two brake jobs First one in 2000 under warranty. Power steering pump twice. Power steering ram once. Fuel pump once. Back of ignition once. Broken strut that punctured tire. Alternator twice. Positive side post of battery fell off. Windows squeak, doors squeak. Low track and ABS light continually come on. Driver’s window assembly broke. A nylon guide piece (maybe $20) that bolts on!! cannot be bought separately. Entire assembly must be bought for $200.00. Service engine light comes on way to often.

1st Feb 2007, 14:40

Count me in as yet another unsatisfied Alero owner. What a disappointing piece of junk. Purchased my 2000 Alero in '01 with about 25K miles. Since then, I've had the following:

Rear defrost failed.

Dome light fell.

Passenger window fell, no longer able to open/close.

Intake gasket issue (not just once... but twice)

Tires not holding air & lights constantly coming on.

Lighter/adapter faulty.

Leaking/disappearing coolant with light constantly on.

Cruise control faulty (twice)

And, the kicker... While driving at 65mph the car just lost all power and stopped. Then it would start again, and stall. After a series of frightening drives just to get the car home, was able to get it to the mechanics, who were finally able to duplicate the problem and determine the fuel pump was shutting down, for no apparently reason. It's $800 to fix, and with the other $800 to fix the intake gasket again, I think I will cut my losses and move on to a Honda. This car has been nothing, but trouble. Buyer beware.

3rd Feb 2007, 08:51

I purchased my 2000 alero gls new in 2000, since that time I have put 95000 miles on the car, replaced the front brakes at 55000 miles (still had life left in the old ones) rear brakes still do not need replaced. The only problem I have had was the window motor on the driver side stopped working, cost me $80.00 for new window regulator and motor, put it in myself. This has been a very good car and I do not understand why so many other have had so many problems with their cars, maybe they failed to maintain them proper.

5th Feb 2007, 04:10

I purchased a 2003 Alero in 2004, it only had 13,000 miles on it. I had it only one month and the transmition went out. Since then, wheel bearings twice, brakes and rotors about every 9 months, driver side window failed, paint chipping on front bumper, fuel pump, master cylinder, dome light has a mind of its own, cruise control shut off when it wants too, new rear wheel, always have to put air in front tires, on second set of new tires, pass-lock has now done something. Had I not listened to my mother-in-law, I would have saved a lot of money overall. My late husband was a Ford man and now I know why.