7th Aug 2005, 00:31
The GM dealer said it was a bad timing belt? Avoid that one... Aleros use timing chains not belts.
27th Aug 2005, 22:14
I just bought a 2002 Alero and I'm already experiencing problems! It's been in the garage three times, this trip will be four. I went to start it and it would turn over, but not start. I love GM, but this is by far not the best made car from them.
28th Feb 2008, 06:06
I'd have to agree my, list of problems include.
- Only the driver side window fell out
- Needed clutch replaced
- Tranny can hardly shift into 3rd
- Doesn't start in -30 weather (big one here)
- Replaced ignition module 3 times
- Just doesn't start sometimes, problem I've had for 4 months now, mechanics cannot fix it.
- Check engine light came on again, at this point I'm ignoring it.
- Fuel pump replaced twice
- Now its running extremely bad, and a nice smell of rubber burning.
- Did they have any security in mind when they designed this car; a child can break into it in about 5 seconds.
- Used CAA too many times and they stopped covering me
Had 86k when I got it, almost at 100k now, and I've had it less than a year.
27th Apr 2008, 18:29
I bought my 02 Alero in 06. It had 28k miles on it. I have had only a few problems.
1. About 2 weeks after I got the car, the turn signals stopped working (could not take through inspection)
2. About 6 months after I had it, the struts had to be replaced.
3. Not long after that the rubber on the driver side of the windshield started coming up (bought some glue from local auto store)
4. About 4 months after that the rubber on the passenger side came up (still had the glue from first one), just to add to it one day as I was coming home from work, just as I got on the e-way the rubber came up on the passenger side and made this loud flapping noise as it beat the side of my window for the next 15 minutes (very annoying).
5. Since then I have had to have the back passenger window repaired because the motor went out and I had to manually PULL the window up. And now the front driver side window is going out.
Other than that, I have not had any problems!
7th Nov 2008, 15:52
Thank you comment #1 or 13:23, you cannot possibly believe the car is going to be the same at all after you rolled it. Leaking windows, fuse box corrosion are all linked to that. I'm actually surprised that they didn't just write it off!
22nd Apr 2010, 22:11
I can understand your positions on the Olds Alero. I have an 02 Alero 3.4 V6; I have had no problems with my vehicle. I now have 96,000 miles on my vehicle, and with regular maintenance, you won't have many problems.
I am a mechanic, and I am surprised with some of these stories; many of the problems are easy repairs. Instead of bringing your car to the dealer, get a trustworthy mechanic and stick with them whatever it takes.
I have owned three Oldsmobiles, and they are the only vehicle I will ever own.
25th Apr 2010, 14:18
I just bought my son a used Alero 2002. Paid about 5 thousand. So far had the car one month, only needed brake pads. And my mechanic said the starter motor and power steering rack need to be changed. But that's under warranty, so I'm getting it done. I upset reading all the bad reviews. It's his first car.
I'm hoping it lasts until it's paid off. I do take care of my cars. The car has 98,000 miles, had one owner and no major problems reported.
9th Jan 2011, 16:41
I'm 17, bought a 2002 Alero with the 2.2, and never had a problem yet. Getting close to 235,000kms on it.
I do all of the regular maintenance myself. It runs well, and I have to say that you are very confused if you think you expect the car to be the same after the accident. I just hit a deer, and am collecting insurance money and buying another one.
By the way, even after hitting the deer, it still drives. I drove it home, though that was maybe not the smartest thing.
29th Jan 2011, 20:37
I totally agree with those how wrote that Alero should be taken off the road, it's a disgrace to the manufacturer, GM should apologize to all those unfortunate enough to own that car. They should of name it "What's next?" instead of Alero.
Front wheel bearings don't last one year.
The air conditioner doesn't hold the coolant.
Door edges begun rusting after 4 years, and I live in a very dry and cold climate.
My rear drum brakes are dragging, I got them serviced many times, and still I'm getting stranded as my rear wheel won't turn after applying brakes.
The hydraulic clutch slave cylinder is leaking, lowering pressure in the clutch line, and not allowing it to change gears. The cost of replacement is $900; it involves disassembling the transmission.
Radiator cooling fan doesn't work from the very beginning, horn stayed on until it burned out, on one occasion all my gauges stopped working (nothing to do with fuses), and on another occasion, they stayed on after I stopped the car and pulled the key out!
Leave alone the broken CD player :-)
6th Feb 2005, 11:28
About you "noticing the tires were worn" at around 40,000 kilometers, did you ever stop to think that those numbers and letters on the tire mean something? Perhaps like, tread wear, which would have indicated that your tires would probably be near replacement time at the kilometers you mentioned.
Also, from reading these reviews, a lot of the problems with Aleros seem to be coming from poor maintenance. Other GM N-Body cars, like the Grand Am, experience problems with the tires not sealing to the rims properly, leading to lost air pressure. Here's a thought, check your tire pressure manually once a week, instead of relying on dummy lights to tell you whats going on.
The previous comment also brings an important point to light: once you are in a severe accident, the vehicle will not be the same, even if repaired.