Oldsmobile Alero Complaints

1,957 consumer complaints on file.

#10255322January 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST PROBLEM: MY HORN DECIDED TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AT 3AM, FINALLY HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE NOISE. I KEEP THE FUSE WITH ME, BUT NOW I HAVE NO HORN AND IT IS NOT SAFE, HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. SECOND PROBLEM: TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK AT INCONVENIENT TIMES. FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT IF I TURN ON MY HAZARDS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN TURN THEM OFF, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK AGAIN PROPERLY. THIRD PROBLEM: SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS, THEY FINALLY TOLD ME TO JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND ONCE THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OFF THE CAR WILL START. THESE ARE ALL SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254977January 14, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A.. THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING. REPLACED FUSES, RELAY BUT STILL DID NOT WORK. HAVING DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND OUT THAT A REAR CONNECTOR WILL MELT. LOOKED AT THE REAR CONNECTOR AND IT HAD MELTED. DEALER CHARGES $ 45 FOR A NEW CONNECTOR SO I HOT WIRED IT TO THE MODULE. IF THEY MELT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. B. THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE CAR WILL BE LOCKED DOWN. IF YOU SIT FOR 10 MINUTES WITH THE IGNITION ON BUT NOT STARTED THE SECURITY WILL RESET. LUCKILY FOR ME, THIS HAS NOT CAUSED ME ANY $, BUT I AM SURE OTHERS HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING. ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT THIS OPTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253344December 31, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A TIRE ROTATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL. THE INTAKE GASKET AND SEALS IN THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ISSUED A CASE NUMBER. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,184 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253268December 30, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SINCE 2006, ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND TWO TO THREE DAYS LATER THE SYSTEM LOCKS DOWN AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. I AM STRANDED AND HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. EACH OCCURRENCE HAS COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $600-$800. TOWING FEES, TAXIS TO AND FROM WORK, AND USE OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS' CARS ARE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. I ONLY TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME A DIFFERENT FEATURE ON THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER REPEATEDLY TO DISMANTLE THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT. WHO IS GOING TO STEAL A 2002 ALERO? I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN IN TWO DIFFERENT COLLEGES. THIS ALERO IS OUR ONLY CAR. TO DATE I HAVE SPENT $3000 ON THIS "SOPHISTICATED" ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. HELP ME PLEASE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253098December 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SIMULTANEOUSLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251744December 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAILING, INTRODUCING COOLANT TO ENGINE OIL. THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF A POOR DESIGN. GENERAL MOTORS HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS. HOWEVER, GM CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IT IS VERY INTENSIVE, AND HAS BEEN QUOTED AROUND $800. RECALLS SHOULD BE MANDATED IN ALL CASES OF INCOMPETENCE, NOT SOLELY WHEN IT AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251600December 12, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251442December 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND HAD TO FIDDLE WITH IT TO WORK, SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND HAD THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER CHANGED ALONG WITH THE KEY(?). COST WAS OVER $500.00 WITH MILEAGE AT 60,981. JUST PAST WARRANTY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR SOME OF THIS AT THIS MILEAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251280December 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR GOING APPROX. 55 MPH AND MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, THE GAUGES SHUT DOWN, LOST POWER STEERING. HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE, PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART CAR. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN PREVIOUSLY TO THIS INCIDENT AND FEEL AS THOUGH IT NEEDS SERIOUS INVESTIGATION. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEEN KILLED. THIS ALSO HAS HAPPENED WHEN IN A SPIN OUT AS WELL THOUGH THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT WAS RANDOM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250826December 5, 2008
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE:BODY
BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WINDOWS FELL OFF THE TRACKS, SO I HAD A FRIEND PRY THEM UP AND HE GOT THE WINDOWS TO STAY UP, BUT YOU COULD NOT USE EITHER WINDOW. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE WINDOWS FIXED FOR A WHILE UNTIL I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET THE DRIVER'S WINDOW FIXED IN MAY 2008 WHICH COST $385.00. THEY REPLACED THE REGULATOR. ON 12/4/2008, IT HAPPENED YET AGAIN TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD FOR 60 DAYS LABOR/30DAYS PARTS, SO I AM YET AGAIN NOT ABLE TO USE EITHER WINDOW. I WAS TOLD BY QUITE A FEW PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IF I GOT IT FIXED YET AGAIN, IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN YET AGAIN. I DID NOT SEE THIS DEFECT LISTED ON THE RECALL LIST HOWEVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248976November 17, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO YEARS AGO, MY SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE ON MY SECURITY SYSTEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST MORE THAN $700. LAST FRIDAY, 11/14/2008, MY CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME GM DEALER AGAIN AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? AND NOW, AGAIN, THIS WILL COST ANOTHER $700 TO FIX, IF THAT IS ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED BEFORE WHEN THE COMPUTER MODULE WENT OUT. I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME SINCE I HAD MY CAR AT HOME WHEN THIS BCM WENT OUT. THE BCM ONLY HAS A YEAR WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249026November 17, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING OF THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE LEFT OR RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, THE REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED OR WOULD NOT FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AT ERRATIC SPEEDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 12/8/09 *CN UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248059November 9, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PASSLOCK THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ON MY 2002 ALERO HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE THE FIRST YEAR I HAD IT. I HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINUTES WITH KEY IN ON POSITION BEFORE IT WILL START. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN FOR ME, AND AS I OBSERVED ONLINE, FOR MANY OTHERS. I HAD IT TOWED AND LOOKED AT SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS AND UNTIL I GET A 100% ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS ON SOMETHING, I DON'T PAY OUT MONEY FOR ASSUMPTIONS. I FOUND OUT ON MY OWN AND BY READING THE OWNERS MANUAL, WHAT THE EXACT PROBLEM WAS. I REALIZE I MUST DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED FOR ANY THING TO BE DONE. SAD TO SAY THAT IS HOW THINGS WORK IN THIS DWINDLING ECONOMY. I HAVE THE FEAR THAT STALKERS I HAVE HAD IN THE PAST MAY CATCH UP WITH ME AT A TIME WHEN MY CAR WON'T START. SHOULD I TELL THEM "HEY WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE YOU CAN ATTACK ME THEN I CAN GET AWAY." PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOU CAN GOOGLE TO SEE THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247958November 7, 2008
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT NOTICED HOT AIR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WHEN IT WAS ACTIVATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. AFTER THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, SHE NOTICED LARGE PUDDLES OF COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247389October 31, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH HER VEHICLE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS LOCKED TWICE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE AND RECENTLY FAILED AGAIN. SHE IS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION BECAUSE IT LOCKED IN PLACE. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,273.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247139October 29, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
MY BLINKERS ON MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. MY HORN DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246827October 27, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SOUNDED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE CLICKING NOISE REMAINED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. RECENTLY, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN UPDATED 12/17/08.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246886October 27, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS CAR FROM STARTING AT TIMES. IF YOU TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT DOESN'T START THE FIRST TRY THE ATS LOCKS THE MOTOR AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 30 MINUTES TO TRY TO RESTART IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246131October 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY CUT OFF AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE AND THAT THERE WAS OTHER INTERNAL VALVE AND ENGINE COMPONENT DAMAGE. THE ENGINE IS A 2.2L GM MOTOR THAT WAS RECALLED FOR SATURNS, AND OTHER VEHICLES, BUT NOT THE ONE WE OWN WHICH IS AN OLDSMOBILE ALERO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245798October 17, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO THAT I BOUGHT USED WITH 48,000 MILES. AND I HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE. SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO PUT TURN SIGNAL ON, IT WON'T WORK. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WITH NO NOTICE. I OFTEN GET HONKED AT FOR NOT USING MY TURN SIGNAL, WHEN I HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF DOING SO, THEY JUST WON'T WORK. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I START MY CAR, THE DIALS DO NOT COME ON AUTOMATICALLY. THEY ALL REMAIN ON ZERO. IT HAS EVEN TAKEN UP TO 5 MINUTES FOR MY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TO REGISTER THAT I HAVE STARTED THE CAR. ALSO, AT TIMES MY AIR CONDITIONER WILL JUST STOP BLOWING. IT COMES BACK ON IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT IT WILL COME ON AND GO OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEN IT WILL FINALLY REMAIN ON. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH OTHER BUT I CAN'T BE ABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY ARE RELATED, I JUST KNOW THEY ALL HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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