18th Mar 2004, 22:41

I have a 2002 Alero. I have a several problems with mine as well. It all started with a steering sensor in the steering column. Before they found that it was the sensor they put a new rack on the car. Then came the clicking in the steering column that the dealer says all the cars make the noise. Then came the coolant leak. Now I am having a grinding noise while driving down the road. Dealer says brakes and rotors, but I replaced them and noise is still there. Then dealer says that it is the noise from the tires on the rims and that new tires would fix the problem. The car only has 42,000 miles!!! After reading the comments does anyone have any ideas on this problem? I just find the tire store to be far fetched. Email me at firefly9696@yahoo.com.

22nd Mar 2004, 10:13

I too have a 2002 Alero and have had to replace both bearings in the front as well as the brakes. My ceiling light also fell out in the first two weeks of ownership. I'm now facing transmission trouble at 79000 km. Of course, the warranty ends at 60,000. This is simply ridiculous. Service people are surly to deal with and I was appalled when they charged me $96.00 to drive it around the corner and tell me what was wrong. Never will I buy another GM product. Next time, it's a Toyota for me.

7th Apr 2004, 13:19

Well, Well, Well... What can I say that hasn't already been said? I have a 2000 Alero, I take the best care as this is my first car ever. Car washes 1-2 times per week. I get ALL the recommended services, including all of those $150 winter/spring maintenance/tuneup packages. Everything was great until the brakes and rotors first wore out at 22,000KM. I thought this was odd, but the dealership told me this was normal! I now have 90,000KM on my Alero, and I am on my 4th set of brakes, 3rd set of rotors, and was just told that the loud noises coming from my tires is because I need new wheel bearings. At the same time, the paint under the hood of my car is flaking off. Mr. Dealer telling me yet again that this is all "normal." I asked him, why would anyone want to buy a car that "under normal conditions" would need 4 sets of brakes/rotors, start to rust, and need new wheel bearings all in a matter of 3 years? He answers with one of those GM textbook trained answers that does nothing, but bring more frustration. I believe that in another year, I will have spent close to the equivalent on repairs as I did buying the car brand new. I will NEVER buy a GM car again and if I ever met someone that was interested in buying GM I will do everything in my power to stop them.

14th May 2004, 17:10

I am so happy to hear that other people are having the same problems that I am!! Well, not happy to have the problems, but happy other people have the same and it's not just my car. I have a 2002 Alero. I bought it in Feb 03 used w/approx 22,000 on the car. I now have 40,000 and already my driver side window has broke, my dome light fell out, my passenger side door won't open from the inside, my ABS, trac off, & service vehicle soon lights are on & there is a loud noise that vibrates on my feet while driving. I got my car inspected in December and needed new brakes. Replaced those and that's when suddenly my ABS, trac off & service vehicle soon lights came on & I have a mysterious loud noise - that only gets worse. I have to call my repairman to see what the problem is, & now that I have this information from this website it will help a lot more - because I was clueless.

19th May 2004, 07:42

I bought my 2003, 2-door Alero GL, in September,03. I've had minor problems. I know brakes and wheel bearings are a common problem with no remedies. My car has 25,000 kms and has had new brake pads and a right front wheel bearing. The problem with the ABS light, no trac light, and the service vehicle soon light coming on at the same time is a bad wheel bearing. The sensor for those lights is in that wheel bearing.

As far as all the problems with the 99 models, you have to remember that was the first year they we're made. They had a lot of bugs to work out. It's too bad so many people have had problems, good luck and safe driving.

26th May 2004, 08:30

I am amazed at what people have said about the Alero. Maybe it has something to do with Canada. I own two (2) Aleros and absolutely love them. I have a 3.4L '99 with 64000 miles and the only problem I've had is with the wheel bearing which they fixed for free. Even if they had not done it for free, it was only $26. I also have a 2.4L 5spd '01 with 44000 miles on it and have had no problems at all. For those of you who keep having problems with brakes etc, DO NOT use aftermarket parts. I did not have to replace the brakes on my 99 until 50000 and my 01 is just now getting to need brakes, but will make it to 50000. Again, maybe the problem is Canadian, but I love my aleros and will advise anyone to buy them. If you have any questions on possible problems or possible places to get serviced, please don't hesitate to email.

9th Jun 2004, 19:56

Holy smokes! Boy I wish I had found this site before I leased an Alero!!

I have a 2002 Alero and have had a variety of minor problems since driving it off the lot back in July of 2002. Here we go:

1. A mysterious clunk when turning left or right, since day 1! Many things have been tried and I have been told it was fixed, but its still there today!

2. Drivers power window intermittently working for past 6 months. This has recently been repaired under warranty.

3. Numbers have worn off of radio.

4.Recent development - squeaky noise in front end.

5. Need new front brakes at 43,000 km

6.Bubbled vinyl on top of both rear doors. The door panels were replaced under warranty.

7. Intake manifold leak. Repaired at no cost as this is a known problem with this vehicle. I still think I smell something.

That's about it.. but now I'm worried as the mileage gets higher on this vehicle that I will experience more serious problems as others have indicated here.

14th Jun 2004, 14:43

I only wish I could have looked into this before I ever bought an Alero. I have a 2002, my electrical system is starting to go haywire. My sterio froze up completely and then started working like nothing was wrong. Now, my blinkers are working one minute and not the next. There has been a recall for this problem, but my car doesn't fit the time line. I now have found out about all these other problems people are having, I have had my car for 1yr 7months. I thought I got a good deal, I guess I was wrong.

Lindsay.