Oldsmobile Alero Complaints

1,957 consumer complaints on file.

#10087942August 16, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087843August 13, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V327000. VEHICLE'S HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCHES MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087857August 13, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAZARD SWITCH AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH PROBLEMS WHICH OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR 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
#10086786August 13, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
I HAVE A 2001 ALERO. IT HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE STEERING INTERMITTENTLY. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING FLUID GELLING. IT FIXED MY STEERING BUT STILL WHINED A LITTLE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE NIGHT STATED BELOW. I WAS TURNING TO THE ON-RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE AND MY STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND PROBABLY 20-25MPH AS I WAS SENT INTO THE CURB. THE WHEEL THAT HIT THE CURB FOLDED UNDER THE CAR AS THE SPINDLE BROKE. I WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT AND THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONDITIONS. I WOULDN'T HAVE HIT THE CURB IF THE STEERING HADN'T GONE OUT AND EVEN SO, I DON'T THINK THAT AT THAT SPEED THAT MUCH DAMAGE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T GO OFF. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE (WHERE I WAS HEADING) I WOULD HAVE ENDED UP GOING INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPING. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079984August 12, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
RECALL 03V327000, CONCERNING HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. INTERMITTENTLY THE HAZARD FLASH WARNING LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNAL DO NOT WORK. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE FLASHER AND HAZARD LIGHT FAILURE HAD MADE IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TESTED THE VEHICLE BUT INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075819August 12, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE CHECKED DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND LEAKED RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE INTO THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO A BAD CHIP IN THE MOTHER BOARD. THE CAUSE OF THE RADIATOR ANTI FREEZE LEAK WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086269August 5, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 7 MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY, THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT COUNTLESS TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED THE PLANT WHERE THE CAR CAME FROM AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A CAR SERVICE THAT SPECIALIZES IN OLDSMOBILES. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, AND THEY FIXED IT. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT COULD BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL, HOWEVER THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THE CAR TEARS ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO START, HOWEVER, IT TAKES THREE TRIES BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY STARTS. SOMETIMES, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START. I HAVE ALSO HAD OCCASSIONS WHERE THE CAR HAS CUT OFF AS I AM PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAVE 49,900 MILES ON IT. IT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OR THE SEVERITY OF IT, HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER THE CAR WILL BREAKDOWN TO A POINT WHERE IT WILL CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083158August 2, 2004
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
UNUSUAL WEARING & PULSATION OF FRONT BRAKES ON CAR; REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 41,000 MILES. 1) REPLACED ROTORS & PADS AT 7000 MI. AT OLDS DEALER-NO CHARGE. 2) 28,000 MI. SAME PROBLEM; WORK DONE BY ESTES CHEVY INDIANAPOLIS. GM SERVICE CTR. PAID 1/2. 3) AT 41,000 MILES, SAME PROBLEM. TOOK TO CAR-X FOR OPINION; EST. OF $283.00 TO FIX THE PADS & ROTORS; CALIPERS OK. TOOK CAR TO ESTES. THEY SAID A BAD CALIPER CAUSED BRAKES & ROTORS TO WEAR & ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SUGGESTED OWNER "RACED THE CAR" - UNTRUE. ESTES GAVE ESTIMATE OF $1000 & SAID TO CALL GM SVC. CTR. GM CUSTOMER SVC REP, MAURA SAID GM WOULD PAY 1/2 THE COST. I TOLD HER THAT WAS NOT OK; THEY HAVE BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH ALEROS & HAVE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES CAUSING A PRODUCT LIABILITY & SAFETY CONCERN. MAURA REFUSED TO GIVE US THE OLD PARTS ON THE CAR IF WE HAD ESTES DO REPAIR WORK, SAYING GM WANTED THEM. SHE SAID ESTES' ESTIMATE WAS $863, DIFFERENT THAN MY QUOTE. I ASKED MAURA TO SEND E-MAIL OR FAX WITH GM OFFER & SHE TOLD ME SHE DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A FAX OR EMAIL. SHE ASKED IF I WOULD GIVE MAINTANENCE DOCUMENTATION. I TOLD MAURA THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES, AND I WANTED TO TALK TO HER SUPERVISOR. SHE REFUSED, SAYING SHE DOES NOT HAVE A SUPERVISOR. I TOLD HER TO CALL ESTES' SERVICE MGR; WE DID NOT WANT ESTES TO FIX IT. I HAD RESEARCHED BRAKE PROBLEMS ON ALEROS ON WEB; THERE ARE SITES DEVOTED TO THIS. WE PICKED UP THE CAR FROM ESTES, TOOK IT TO CAR-X TO FIX, & HAD THEM CHECK THE CALIPERS. COST WAS $284.00 FOR ROTORS AND PADS; THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG W/CALIPER; THEY WILL CHECK THE PADS EVERY 6 MOS . THEY GAVE US OUR OLD PARTS TO KEEP. THEY STATED GM ROTORS WERE THIN METAL; BRAKE PADS WERE GRINDING INTO THEM. THE VALUE OF THE CAR IS LESS THAN LOAN, BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY OF THE CAR, SO WE ARE OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. ESTES LIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, OVERCHARGED, AND GM REFUSED TO GIVE US THE PARTS OFF OUR OWN CAR. GM & ESTES COLLUDED IN EVALUATING THE CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083885July 30, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNAL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083024July 30, 2004
STRUCTURE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
I PURCHASED A 2000 ALERO THAT CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 52.000 MILES ON IT. ALMOST OVERNIGHT, ALMOST A MONTH AGO FROM TODAY, THE DASHBOARD VINYL BUCKLED, WAVED, AND STARTED PULLING AWAY FROM THE DASHBOARD. AT THIS SAME TIME, THE TURN SIGNALS BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEB SITES WHERE OTHER ALERO OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. I REALIZE THAT THE DASHBOARD IS COSMETIC AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNALS ARE A PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT RECALL THE ALERO EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF SERIOUS DEFECTS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH OWNER NEGLECT. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS SAD EXCUSE FOR A CAR. I'M COMPLAINING TO YOU SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I FEEL AS THOUGH NO ONE ELSE WILL LISTEN TO THE HOARDS OF ALERO OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082950July 29, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DEAR SIRS, CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH A CERTAIN MODEL OF CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VINYL DASH OF THIS CAR WILL PEEL BACK AND OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ONLY GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. I THEN ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHY WAS THIS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN DUE THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OBVIOUSLY DAMAGED. THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE COULD MAKE THE AIRBAG DEPLOY FOR NO REASON A INJURE THE PASSENGER OR EVEN WORSE, NOT DEPLOY UPON A FRONTAL COLLISION. AGAIN I WAS NOT GIVEN AN ANSWER ON WHY THIS WAS NOT A CONCERN. I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS AND WAS CONCERNED THAT WHAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN NOT NEEDED AND THERE WAS A CHILD IN THE SEAT. EVEN IF THE CHILD WAS OLD ENOUGH TO BE IN THE FRONT AND WAS IN THERE SEAT BELT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER COULD NOT ANYTHING TO STOP ANY INJURY TO THE CHILD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082964July 29, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SECURITY LIGHT REMAINS ON DURING THE DURATION OF DRIVING. WHEN WE TRY TO START THE CAR, THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND THE CAR WON'T START. OLDSMOBILE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE RECOMENDS LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING, TAKING THE KEY OUT FOR 30 SECONDS, AND THEN TRYING TO START IT AGAIN. THIS NORMALLY FIXES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, IT BECOMES A REAL HAZARD TO BE WAITING FOR YOUR VEHICLE TO START. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082974July 29, 2004
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
REAR-IEW MIRROR CAME OFF WINDOW AND WAS HANGING BY ELECRICAL WIRE. SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVER OR PASSENGER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087653July 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEMS WITH 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO TRANSMISSION.*MR RECENTLY THE CONSUMER'S CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A VERY LOUD NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT A PIN BROKE IN THE OVERDRIVE GEARSHIFT AND SENT PARTS INTO THE PLANETARY GEAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083633July 27, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHTS, AND HIGH BEAM LIGHT FAILED TO FUNCTION. ON SOME OCCASIONS THERE WAS A SLIGHT POP BEFORE THE WARNING LIGHTS FAILED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082650July 26, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR STICKS - ON 5 OCCASIONS. TOOK TO A GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER - THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDANT SERVICE CENTER - THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082524July 23, 2004
EQUIPMENT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY COIL (SPRING) SNAPPED OFF AND BROKE. IT SLICED MY TIRE AND I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRE AS WELL AS THE COIL (SPRING). IT WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I AM NERVOUS THAT THE OTHER ONE MAY SNAP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT THE TIME THAT COIL SNAPPED. I AM AWARE THAT THIS PART WAS RECALLED ON THE FORD TAURUS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082464July 22, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 24 OCT 02, FROM A SMALL CAR LOT. ON 25 OCT 02, MY TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO WORK. I TOOK IT IN TO THE CAR LOT AND THEY PUT A FOUR-WAY FLASHER IN IT. ON 26 OCT 02, IT WOULDN'T START. I CALLED THE CAR SALESMAN AND HE SAID SINCE IT WAS A SATURDAY, THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL MONDAY. AFTER WORKING ON IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, MY FATHER FINALLY CLEANED OUT THE FUEL LINE AND GOT IT STARTED. ON NOV 6 2002, MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ROLL IT BACK UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. ON 24 NOV 02, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE DIED AND THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD A ROLL BACK HAUL IT IN TO A MECHANIC. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY ONE MONTH/1,000 MI WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO COVER CHARGES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF 600.00. IN MAR 03, MY CAR BEGAN VIBRATING WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL BRAKE SHOP AND THEY PUT A NEW SET OF ROTORS ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE OLD ONES (FROM THE FACTORY) WERE TOO THIN TO BE RESURFACED. IN JUN 03, I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT WAS CORRECTED IN THE SAME WAY, WITH NEW ROTORS. IN MAY 04, MY WINDOW FELL BACK DOWN INTO MY DOOR. MY FATHER GLUED THE PIECE BACK ON THAT HAD BROKEN LOOSE. ON JUL 8 04, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED. THE ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED AND NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED. ALSO, ON 21 JUL 04, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WINDOWS REPAIRED. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $600.00 TO HAVE THEM FIXED BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME PIECE THAT WAS SHATTERED. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL WRECK-REPAIR SHOP AND THE GUY FIXED IT FREE OF CHARGE. HE SAID THERE WAS ONLY A PIECE THAT HAD CAME UNGLUED AND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DIDN'T EVEN NEED ANY REPAIRS AT ALL. I HAVE DEFINITELY HAD THE MOST PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR'S WINDOWS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082391July 21, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM MY HOME. I MADE A LEFT TURN AT A LIGHT, AND UPON COMPLETION OF THE TURN, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS ON IT'S RIM. THINKING THAT I HIT SOMETHING, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR. WHEN I JACKED UP MY CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE TIRE TO PUT ON THE SPARE, I REALIZED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THE JAGGED EDGE OF THE SPRING HAD PIERCED MY TIRE. SINCE I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME, IN SECONDS IT SHEARED MY TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND, CAUSING STEERING TO BE DIFFICULT. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO GENERAL MOTORS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE OR TOWING FEES. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS STUCK PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AT A DEALERSHIP AND A TOW THAT WAS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSING A NEAR-ACCIDENT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082251July 20, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
OUR TURNING SIGNAL DOESNT ALWAYS COME ON AS WELL AS OUR HAZARDS. IT MAKES A NOISE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT BUT WE NEVER GOT A LETTER. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Oldsmobile Alero