Oldsmobile Alero Complaints

1,957 consumer complaints on file.

#10054084January 14, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054015January 14, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED WAS SIMILAR TO RECALL #03V327000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT PRIOR TO THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH HIMSELF AT A COST OF $28.00. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053909January 13, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC FOUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS FAULTY, AND WAS REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052983January 12, 2004
TIRES:BEAD, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING FAN CONTROL KNOB ONLY WORKS ON THE 3RD OR 4TH SELECTION. IT STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND KEEPS MOVING UP A NOTCH. THIS IS TO BE TRUE ON SEVERAL ALERO'S OF THIS YEAR. WILL THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS? *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053001January 12, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL WORKING ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE ALEROS IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053011January 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
GENERAL MOTORS CONSIDERS A WARPED BRAKE ROTOR AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A WARRANTY DEFECT. WARPED ROTORS CAUSE UNDUE VIBRATION AND SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE ROTOR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT 24,000 MILES, BY TURNING THE ROTOR IN APRIL 2002. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE RECURRED AND GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT REPAIR THEM UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDS THEIR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD. MR. EVAN DOEL (1-866-952-4368) AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION ALSO EXPRESSED THE FACT THAT A WARPED BRAKE ROTOR ON THE ALERO IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" AND THAT HE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION DEMONSTRATES CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY IN KNOWING THAT REPEATED OCCURRENCES OF A WARPED BRAKE ROTOR ON THE OLDSMOBILE ALERO IS CATEGORIZED AND SIMPLY CONSIDERED A "COMMON PROBLEM." A PROBLEM IN WHICH THE VEHICLE, ITS DRIVER AND ITS OCCUPANTS ARE PUT INTO JEOPARDY THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN A LETTER DIRECTLY TO G. RICHARD WAGONER, JR., CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION ON DECEMBER 1,2003 AND CARBON COPIED TO .MR. PAUL WHITE, GENERAL MANAGER OF CREST AUTO GROUP IN PLANO, TEXAS 75075, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049999January 12, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 2000-2003 BUT HIS VEHICLE IS A 1999. OLDSMOBILE WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE NOR REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS. OLD PART AVAILABLE. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042438January 12, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH.*AK AFTER REPAIR WAS MADE, CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL FOR 2000-2001 MODEL YEARS FOR THE SAME DEFECT. HE BELIEVES GM SHOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053645January 8, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH WORKED INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING, WHICH RESULTED IN OPEN CIRCUIT. RECALL 03V327000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048766January 8, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT TURN SIGNALS OPERATED POORLY. WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED, THE CONSUMER HIT THE HAZARD BUTTON AND THEY BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE HE WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO AN OLDSMOBILE DEALER AND WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE OLDSMOBILE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK WHERE HE PURCHASED IT. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH AT $28.00 NOW THE HAZARDS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WORK FINE. *CB *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052438January 5, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHEN MY 2002 ALERO TURNED 37,500 THE FUSE TO THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS BLEW LEAVING ME DRIVING AFTER DARK WITH NO TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS. *AK SO FAR THE MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRACE DOWN THE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP PUTTING IN NEW FUSES AND THEY JUST KEEP BLOWING. THEY HAVE ORDERED A SWITCH, AND IT IS TO GO BACK INTO THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN, AND TO TRY ONCE MORE TO TRACK DOWN THE ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT IS CAUSING THE FUSE TO BLOW THAT TAKES OUT THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS. I CAN'T DRIVE THIS 2002 ALERO AFTER DARK EVEN IF I HAVE JUST PUT IN A NEW FUSE BECAUSE IT WILL JUST BLOW AGAIN. IF IT DOESN'T BLOW WHILE I AM DRIVING IT, IT WILL JUST BE BLOWN THE NEXT TIME I START IT. IT MAKES DRIVING THIS 2002 ALERO VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AFTER DARK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052349January 4, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
DEFECTIVE DESIGN/LOCATION OF HOOD LATCH MECHANISM CAUSED TOTAL FAILURE OF HOOD LATCH AND RELEASE OF HOOD (RAISING HOOD INTO THE AIR AND TEARING IT OFF THE HINGES) DURING A LOW SPEED FRONT END IMPACT INTO A STANDARD INTERSTATE HIGHWAY METAL GUARD RAIL. THE DESIGN OF THE "NOSE" TRIM OF THE CAR IS SUCH THAT WHEN THE "NOSE" TRIM IS PRESSED DOWN AND BACK BY A LOW SPEED DIRECT IMPACT INTO A STANDARD HIGHWAY GUARD RAIL, THE PLASTIC "NOSE" TRIM PUSHES THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE LEVER DOWN AND BACK, WHICH IN TURN RELEASES THE HOOD--INSTEAD OF SECURING IT. THE LOW SPEED IMPACT, WHICH DAMAGED ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND DID NOT EVEN BREAK THE GRILL, RELEASED THE HOOD, SENDING IT ALOFT, BLINDING THE DRIVER'S LINE OF SIGHT, AND RESULTING IN THE WIND TEARING OFF THE HOOD AND UNLEASHING IT AS A POTENTIAL MISSILE ON THE HIGHWAY. PROPER DESIGN (OF THE TRIM IN RELATION TO THE LATCH) SHOULD FORCE THE HOOD TO LOCK DOWN DURING AN IMPACT, INSTEAD OF RELEASING IT. IMPROPER DESIGN OF THE HOOD HINGES ALSO PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE HOOD TEARING AWAY INSTEAD OF BEING RETAINED/TRAPPED DURING THE ACCIDENT. I MUST EMPHASIZE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED, THE BUMPER WAS NOT DAMAGED, THE GRILL WAS NOT DAMAGED--BUT THE NOSE TRIM STILL WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE HOOD LATCH WITH MINIMAL FORCE REQUIRED. *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051470January 1, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS MY WIFE AND I ARE HAVING WITH OUR OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WE INITIALLY USED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAUS'S AUTOLINE ARBITRATION PROCESS AND ALTHOUGH THE ARBITRATOR SAID THAT THE CAR QUALIFIED FOR THE OHIO LEMON LAW, HE THOUGHT THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN US AND THE DEALER. WHAT A JOKE. IF YOU LISTEN TO THE AUDIO TAPE OF THE HEARING IT IS OBVIOUS THAT GENERAL MOTORS WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FOLLOWING IS PART OF THE INITIAL LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SINCE YOU HAVE A RESTRICTION SET ON HOW MUCH INFO CAN BE SUPPLIED HERE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CAR IS PAID FOR. DATE: 08/18/2003 RE: WILLIAM G. MARSH 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO ODOMETER READING = 9198 POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF THE OHIO LEMON LAW BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (B.B.B.) ARBITRATION OUR 2001 ALERO HAS BEEN IN FOR REPEATED REPAIRS OF SHAKING (LIKE DIESELING) AND STALLING PROBLEMS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS BEING TURNED OFF, AS IT WAS DESIGNED. AUGUST (2002) OF LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE ON VACATION IN SHIPSHEWANA, INDIANA, THIS PROBLEM BECAME VERY SEVERE. ALONG WITH AN OIL CHANGE LIGHT THAT CAME ON (WITHOUT REASON) AT 5,454 MILES, BILL RESET THIS. THE FOLLOWING DAY OUR LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AT 5,580 (WITHOUT REASON). *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052083December 30, 2003
SEATS
THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SEAT SLID BACK AND FORTH ON THE TRACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052153December 30, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE REGULATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW HAS BROKEN. IT WAS REPLACED FOR $309.74. THE CONSUMER SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER/MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE REPLACING THESE THINGS AT THE RATE OF 4-5 PER MONTH. HE STATED THAT HIS JUST SNAPPED AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN COMPLETELY, BECAUSE IT OPERATES ON A PULLEY TYPE SYSTEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052106December 30, 2003
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
LTR FM JULIE ZAWADZKI (NY) REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN SECURING A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SHE RENTED FM BUDGET RENT-A-CAR, HER HUSBAND WAS INJURED IN A VEHICLE CRASH WHEN THE SEATBELT & AIRBAG FAILED. *MR THE VEHICLE HIT A SNOW BANK, WENT UP AND THEN ROLLED 60 FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. *SCC *JB *CB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10051065December 24, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 03V327000. SPECIFICALLY, MY VEHICLE'S HAZARD-LIGHT SWITCHES MALFUNCTION WHEN THERE IS A TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING MY TURN SIGNALS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I HAVE A 1999 ALERO, THAT MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THEREFORE, THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY PUTS ME IN HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS DUE TO TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING AT TIMES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051020December 23, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
HAZARD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER FLORIN ROAD KIA HAS LOOKED AT IT TWICE AND STILL NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. ALSO THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR, I JUST BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY!!!!!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051036December 23, 2003
SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1) SAFETY ISSUE- NO ACCIDENT YET, BUT MY 2001 ALERO HAS A SMALL ROD THAT STICKS OUT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FOR THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN I WAS WEARING A PAIR OF NIKE SHOES THAT HAVE A LOOP ON THE BACK OF THE SHOE GOT CAUGHT AROUND THIS SEAT ADJUSTER. SCARED ME TO DEATH ALMOST WHEN I COULD NOT RE-ACT WITH MY RIGHT FOOT TO HIT THE BRAKES. NOTE: THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING WITH CRUSIE CONTROL ACTIVATED. I SEE THIS AS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN FOR SOMEBODY NOW, BECAUSE IT ALMOST GOT ME. 2)CURRENTLY THIS VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN IT RAINS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES CRAZY. CURRENTLY THEY THINK THAT THERE MAY BE A MOISTURE PROBLEM AROUND THE SUN ROOF, SO THEY ARE ORDERING PARTS TO TOTALLY REPLACE THE SUN ROOF, BUT I DODN'T THINK THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE DROP OF WATER DROP ON ME WITH THAT SUN ROOF, NOR HAVE I SEEN ANY WET SPOTS AROUND THE ROOF LINER. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER UNDER THE HOOD, AND CLUSTERS IN THE DASHBOARD AS WELL. BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE, SO I HOPE THIS SUN ROOF THING CURES IT. BUT I HAVE SOME SERIOUS DOUBTS IT WILL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050850December 20, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS CAR HAS MADE A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE FOR OVER 2 YEARS. THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 24000 MILES WITHIN A FEW MONTH'S THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FAILED COMPLETELY. WORK WAS DONE ON THE CAR REPLACING ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC PARTS AND SENSORS BUT THE ABS AND TRACTION ARE OUT AGAIN. GM RESPONSE IS THEY WILL "FIX" THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE YET TO GET IT DONE AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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