DRIVER WINDOW FELL DOWN INTO DOOR. *TR
2002 Oldsmobile Alero complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
ON 9/26/2007 MY 2002 OLDS ALERO REFUSED TO START, I FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE AT AT MY JOB, IT STARTED THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER (I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM DRIVETIME) IN NOV 2006, THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO BRING IT TO THEIR APPROVED MECHANIC, I TOOK IT THERE, THEIR MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WOULD COST 755.00. THAT INCLUDED THE DRIVERS WINDOW WHICH FELL INTO THE DOOR FOR THE SECOND TIME, I CALLED DRIVETIME WHO THEN PUT ME ON A REPAIR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, I DROVE THE CAR HOME, THAT SAME DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN, IT IS NOW JANUARY 2008 AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE A WORKING VEHICLE AND AM REFUSING TO PAY FOR IT. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT IT IS THE COMPUTER AND HE CANNOT FIX IT I NOW HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO MAY OR MAY NOT FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. I THINK ITS A DISGRACE, THAT A COMPANY CAN MAKE SUCH A PIECE OF JUNK HAVE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ON IT AND NOTHING IS DONE. I FOR ONE AM NOT GOING TO PAY ONE MORE CENT, THE DEALER COULD KEEP THE CAR, AND DO WITH IT WHATEVER HE WANTS, I REALIZE THIS IS A REPOSESSION BUT I AM NOT A RICH PERSON AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT PROBLEMS WILL ONLY GET WORSE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM, OLDS, DRIVETIME FOR SELLING THE LEMON KNOWING ALL THE PROBLEMS THESE VEHICLES HAVE. *TR
TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS & LAMPS FAIL ERRATICALLY......THEN OPERATE REGULARLY BEFORE FAILING AGAIN. *TR
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IS STICKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS GOING DOWN A MOUNTAIN I LIVE ON AND HAD TO BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME; I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO THAT BEFORE. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ENDED UP GOING 40 ON A FLAT ROAD AND MY FOOT NEVER HIT THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THEN AND I'M NOT SURE HOW TO FIX IT. THANK YOU. *TR
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WORKED ON BY A MECHANIC, SUCH AS REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL FILTER, IT DISRUPTS SOME COMPONENT IN THE CAR AND MAKES THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM THINK THAT THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN. THIS SHUTS THE CAR DOWN AND DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO BE STARTED AGAIN. THIS COULD BE DEADLY IF TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
HAZARD SWITCH - TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING / INTERMITTENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION AND THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND MADE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
I HAVE A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL SEDAN AND THE FOLLOWING HAS JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS: TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION THAT LEADS TO FLICKERING OR TOTAL FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL - THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PROMPTED A 2003 RECALL FOR OLDSMOBILE ALERO; MODEL YEARS 2000-2001. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED A COMPONENT, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT NAME OF THE COMPONENT. THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE ABS AND 'TRACK OFF' WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB AND SENSOR. THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER 1,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HUB AND SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. ON MAY 21, 2007, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY AND RECEIVED SEVEN STITCHES. THE DRIVER'S CHEST AND BACK WERE BRUISED. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 71,000.
THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT IS HORRIBLE , STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, AND I PRACTICALLY HAVE TO BRAKE MY ARMS AND BACK TRYING TO TURN IT TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. WHEN IT SHUTS OFF IT MAKES AND AWFUL BUSSING NOISE AND ALL DISPLAY LIGHTS ARE LIT UP. I BELIEVE IT MAYBE WEATHER RELATED BECAUSE IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. WHEN I GO TO RESTART MY CAR I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION, AND MAKE SURE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON BEFORE I CAN START THE CAR. OTHERWISE, IT WILL TURN OVER ,BUT WON'T FIRE UP. WHEN THE LIGHT DOES COME ON I CAN HEAR SOMETHING SWITCHING ON TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE CAR. SINCE I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS I AM ASSUMING THAT IT IS THE FUEL PUMP. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THESE SAME PROBLEMS, AND HAS AN IDEA OF A WAY TO FIX THIS ,PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO THE CAR DOESN'T KILL ME.*AK
1. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW START TO SLOW DOWN WHEN BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN, WITHIN WEEKS OF NOTICING THAT THE WINDOW WILL EITHER FALL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR OR GET STUCK ON THE TRACK. HAVE REPLACED EACH WINDOW MOTOR TWICE AND NOW REPLACING THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE WINDOW ALSO HAS TO BE REPLACED THIS TIME, BECAUSE OF CRACKS. THEY HAVE TOLD ME NOW, THAT OLDSMOBILE HAS CHANGED THE WINDOW MOTOR AND FRAME. MEANING THAT THE ENTIRE THINGS HAS TO BE REPLACED. COSTING WELL OVER 600 DOLLARS. IF GM WANTED TO CHANGE THE WINDOW SETTINGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE SENT OUT A RECALL FOR THIS. WAS ALSO TOLD BY A GM DEALER IN PARTS THAT THE WINDOWS WERE NOT LASTING FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR. *JB
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS CONSTANTLY SHORT CIRCUIT SO THEY CAN NOT BE OPENED. THE DRIVER WINDOW SOUNDS LIKE IT IS OFF TRACK AND HAS TROUBLE CLOSING. THE PASSENGER WINDOW STOPS WORKING FOR NO REASON. THE MOTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 181,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH BEGAN DECELERATING AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITH NO WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND 75 DEGREES. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 30 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF RECALL 07E021000 FOR FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES. THE RECALLED FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE RECALL FAILURE TO DATE. SHE SPOKE WITH DELPHI, GM AND OLDSMOBILE DEALERS, AND NONE OF THE DEALERS WERE WILLING TO COMPLETE THE RECALL WORK FREE OF CHARGE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP IS ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL MONIES BESIDES THE $417.21 THAT WAS ALREADY PAID. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIPS POSSESSION AND SHE WANTS THE VEHICLE RETURNED WITH THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 06/07/07 THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE THAT IT WAS READY WHEN CONSUMER CAME TO PICK UP VEHICLE THE MANAGER INFORMED HER HE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE RETURNING THE CAR TO HER AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL $262.00 FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH. UPDATED 06/25/07 *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. ON 4/6/07, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ,THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING SOUND, AND SMELLED GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SO SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FOX CHEVROLET IN LAUREL, MD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO COOLANT BEING MIXED WITH OIL ,CAUSING A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ALL CYLINDERS. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $2,600. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 84301. *AK UPDATED 0626/07 *TR
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A VERY NICE DAY THE TIMING CHAIN SHEARED OFF WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WARPED ALL OF THE RODS AND HEADS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,363. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR SHUT OFF, I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSLOCK ENGAGED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN OPERATION THEREBY TELLING THE COMPUTER THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN "STOLEN" AND TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS "PASSLOCK" FAILURE IN GM VEHICLES IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND ONLY THE "DEALERSHIP" IS ABLE TO REPAIR IT. THE APPROX COST IS $900.00 IN WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION AND BCM MODULE WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HAVE BROKEN DOWN AT NIGHT IN UNSAFE LOCATIONS, ON THE HIGHWAY, ETC AND ALTHOUGH GENERAL MOTORS HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINT'S THEY HAVE FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. *JB
THE DASH HAD BEGUN PULLING AWAY AND COMING UNGLUED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CALLED MAJOR GUARD THAT THEY SAID IS NOT COVERED. IT HAS CONTINUED TO RUMPLE AND BUBBLE UP. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. IT IS A DEFECT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS. ESPECIALLY, SINCE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL BE UP WITH IN A YEAR. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERE WAS A A SENSOR CYLINDER FAILURE IN THE IGNITION THAT WAS EFFECTED BY THE THEFT SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER BELIEVED ITAS BEING STOLEN, AND KILLS THE ENGINE, THIS HAPPENED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. *AK
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND THE HORN WOULD SOUND AT ANYTIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT OF THE HORN TO KEEP IT FROM SOUNDING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE HORN PAD AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND AIRBAG WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THE HORN PAD IS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *JB THE HORN HAS BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
THE DASH HAD BEGUN PULLING AWAY AND COMING UNGLUED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. BUT THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST WITH ME -MY END WOULD BE $650. I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO RUMPLE AND BUBBLE UP. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. IT IS A DEFECT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS. ESPECIALLY, SINCE MY WARRANTY WILL BE UP WITH IN A MONTH OR TWO. I JUST GOT TIRED OF FIGHTING WITH THE DEALER TO DO SOMETHING. I HAVE GIVEN UP AND WILL NOT BE PURCHASING A GM CAR AGAIN. THANKS FOR NOTHING -MY LOYALTY IS GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE. *JB
I HAVE A 2 DOOR 2002 OLDS. ALERO THAT HAS MANY PROBLEMS. MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS,MY WINDOWS FALL INTO THE DOOR AND HAVE NO WORKING CAPABILITY. I WENT TO AN OLDS. DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING I DID. IT COSTS A LITTLE OVER 1000.00 TO FIX BOTH WINDOWS ON EVERY OCCASION THAT THEY BREAK. I HAVE PAID THIS AMOUNT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND I FEEL THAT IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR ME TO BE PAYING ANYTHING AT ALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THEM FIXED AGAIN NOR DO I FEEL THAT I HAVE TO. I CONTINUALLY DRIVE AROUND IN THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER W/BROKEN WINDOWS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE SOMEONE TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON JUST THIS PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION PLENTY OTHERS. *NM
INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNALS DASH AND TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN AUTO LIGHTS TRY TO TURN ON. *JB
THE SECURITY LIGHT STARTED COMING ON IN MY CAR IN 2004. MY CAR IS A 2002. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, SO I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE LIGHT UNTIL ONE DAY MY CAR REFUSED TO START. AS I HAD JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE LIGHTS/RADIO WORKED, MY HUSBAND ASKED AROUND AND A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE OWNED OLDSMOBILE VEHICLES STATED THAT IF YOU LEAVE THE CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10-12 MINUTES THAT IT WILL RESET THE SECURITY LIGHT AND THE CAR WILL START. IT WORKED AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A SECOND GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED A DIAGNOSTIC RUN TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START, BUT THEY TOO DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS IN OCTOBER 2006, BUT INSTEAD OF RESETTING FOR A FEW MONTHS, LIKE BEFORE, THE CAR REFUSED TO START THE VERY NEXT TIME I TRIED TO START IT. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS (1999-2002, AT LEAST) THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM TO NOTIFY THEM OF THIS OCCURRENCE AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT ONLY OCCURRING TO MY CAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK... YET? I NO LONGER HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT MY CAR IS RELIABLE. FOR THE TIME BEING, I USE THE METHOD, BUT NOW THAT I AM PREGNANT AND WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING (I LIVE IN MINNESOTA), I NO LONGER FIND THIS SOLUTION ACCEPTABLE. I DO NOT WANT TO JEOPARDIZE MY CHILD'S LIFE BY HAVING TO REMAIN IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER FOR TEN MINUTES IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO "RESET ITSELF," SO I AM CURRENTLY R
TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING, BUT HAZARDS WORK FINE. ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY (EITHER WAY) THE ABS LIGHT AND LOW TRACTION OFF LIGHT COME ON WHICH CLEAR AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTING, BUT DOES IT AGAIN OR MAYBE NOT FOR A WHILE. *NM
THE STEERING WAS HARD AND HAD IT INSPECTED. THE RESULTS BEING A WORN OUT STEERING RACK THAT WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE ASE CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN GM VEHICLES. CARS ARE ENGINEERED PRODUCTS - THE USER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE SUCH PARTS ON A REGULAR BASIS BECAUSE, THE CUSTOMER BUYS CARS BASED ON THE RELIABILITY OF MECHANICAL AND HYDRAULICALLY ENGINEERED COMPONENTS. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT IT IS A CONSTANT MENTAL STRESS FOR THE OWNER TO ACTUALLY 'EXPECT' KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT GM IS NOT READY TO ACKNOWLEDGE - THOUGH COMPARABLE JAPANESE AND GERMAN CARS RUN WITHOUT SUCH PROBLEMS IN THE SIMILAR COMPONENTS FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *NM
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY CAR TEMPERATURE HOT WHEN IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE COLD AND VICE VERSA. I CHECKED THE ANTI-FREEZE AND PLACED MORE IN THE CAR. IN THE PAST MONTH I NOTICE THAT THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND I CHECKED THE ANTIFREEZE ONCE AGAIN. I THEN LEARNED THAT MY MANIFOLD INTAKE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS VERY COMMON FOR IT TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS PLASTIC. I PAID OVER $700.00 TO GET IT REPLACED AND IT IS A COMMON FACT THAT IT IS REPLACED OFTEN DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS CHOICE TO USE PLASTIC FOR THE PART. *NM
LAST YEAR I HAD A RUBBING TYPE SOUND COMING FROM MY FRONT END, UPON TAKING IT TO TUFFY I LEARNED THAT I NEEDED A LEFT WHEEL BEARING. I REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING AND 7 MONTHS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. CURRENTLY I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY ABS LIGHTS ARE ON AND THERE IS A POPPING SOUND WHEN MY CAR TURNS. I HAVE A NEW TIE ROD SO THAT RULES THE NOISE COMING FROM IT. THE BEARINGS ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND I ONLY HAD THE CAR THREE YEARS AND I HAD TO REPLACE BEARINGS, THE MANIFOLD INTAKE, A TIE ROD, AND HOSES. *NM
TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. *NM
IT WAS A ON SEPT 2 2006, MY 17 YR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A HOUR AND HALF A WAY FROM HOME AND NOTICED FAILURE IN HER BRAKES. THEY WHERE NOT WORKING GOOD WHEN SHE GOT CLOSER TO HER DESTINATION SHE LOST ALL BRAKES CONTROL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY IF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY BUT ALL BRAKE FUNCTION WAS LOST AT HER APPROACHING DESTINATION. THE CAUSE WAS A BRAKE LINE PLASTIC CLIP WAS BUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE CRANKSHAFT AND RUBBED A HOLE IN THE LINE CAUSING THE FLUID TO RUN OUT, IT COST 175.00 TO FIX, THAT INCLUDING THE TOWING. I FEEL IF THIS HOSE WAS HELD BY A METAL CLIP THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS AFTER COME, NOT TO MENTION THIS WAS MY 17 YEAR OLD CHILD. *NM
I'M NOT FOR SURE IF YOUR INTERESTED IN THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT, BUT I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM OLDSMOBILE PERTAINING TO MY 2002 OLDS. ALERO THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE TURNING SIGNAL AND/OR HAZARDS. THIS LETTER CAME FROM THEIR RECALL CENTER BUT IT STATED IN THE LETTER IT WASN'T A RECALL. WELL A COUPLE OF MONTHS PREVIOUSLY MY TURNING SIGNAL WOULD STOP WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THEN IT WOULD WORK, STOP WORKING, WORK BUT NEVER FOR TOO LONG OF TIME. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE FINE FOR WEEKS THEN IT WOULD START UP AGAIN. WELL, AFTER I RECEIVED THIS LETTER I WAS FOR SURE THAT THIS LETTER PROBABLY PERTAINED TO MY PROBLEM AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE OLDS. DEALER IN VINCENNES, IN. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, THEY SAID THE TURN SIGNAL NEVER QUIT WORKING, WHICH I REPLIED ITS GOING TO BE A ONE IN A MILLION CHANCE THAT IT WILL DO IT FOR YOU. I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR THERE FOR A MONTH FOR IT TO OCCUR FOR THEM TO CATCH IT, I JUST THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM WAS WHAT THE LETTER WAS REFERRING TO. HE STATED IF HE FIXED EVERYTHING THAT COULD POSSIBLE BE WRONG WITH THE TURN SIGNAL I WOULD HAVE A REPAIR BILL AS LONG AS HIS ARM. MY CONCERN IS I FEEL LIKE I COULD BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THE TURN SIGNAL QUITS WORKING AGAIN OR GETTING A TICKET FOR NOT USING IT WHEN IT ACTUALLY FAILED. I'M KIND OF AT A LOSS OF WHAT I ACTUALLY CAN DO. I KNOW THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE PROBLEM THEY ARE REFERRING TO BECAUSE THEY REALLY DIDN'T EXPLAIN IN THE LETTER IT JUST SAID CONTACT YOUR OLDS DEALER, WHICH THE
HORN DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM/HOT. DOES SEEM TO WORK SOMETIMES WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. THIS HAS CAUSED 3 VERY SERIOUS CLOSE CALLS. THE HORN IS A SAFETY PRECAUTION AND WITHOUT IT MY SELF AND MY FAMILY ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT. *NM
THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD STAY ON FOR 1-4 MINUTES THEN GO OFF. THIS STARTED IN MARCH 2006. THEN ONE DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA - MECHANIC FIXED BY LEAVING KEY TURNED ON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES - THEN CAR STARTED. THIS "PROBLEM" OF NOT STARTING STARTED OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND SO HAD A MECHANIC CHECK INTO IT. HE IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME, ONCE I PRESENTED THE PROBLEM THE CAR WAS HAVING, THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THESE CARS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO, I HAD IT REPLACED. NOW, IT'S JULY 2006 AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT IS COMING ON AGAIN. SO - NOW WHAT?! *NM
I HAVE A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CARS SECURITY DEVICE IS FAULTY CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START AND SOMETIMES CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING EVEN AT OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OVER THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH GM CARS AROUND THIS YEAR. BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT COMMON MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR YOU ARE FORCED TO GO TO THE COSTLY DEALERSHIP AND IN A LOT OF CASES THEY TO ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. *NM
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION INVOLVING FLICKERING OF TURN SIGNAL AT RANDOM. I WILL BE DRIVING AND HEAR THE FLASHER GO OFF ERRATICALLY. NO CONSEQUENCES EXCEPT A LOT OF ANNOYANCE FROM THE SOUND AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE FLASHER MYSELF. WILL SAVE OLD PART. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS FAILED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V327000, REGARDING THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH.
2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. AT 57,000 MILES TURN SIGNALS ARE OCCASIONALLY INOPERATIVE. FUSES WERE CHANGED AND THEY STILL FAIL ON OCCASION. IDENTICAL PROBLEMS RESULTED IN THE RECALLS OF THE 2000 AND 2001 OLDS ALEROS. UPON REVIEWING INTERNET WEB SITES I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER ALERO OWNERS WHOM ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. A TEMPORARY SOLUTION UNTIL THE HAZARD SWITCH CAN BE REPLACED IS TO SLAP THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE HAZARD SWITCH TO MAKE IT OPERABLE. THE INABILITY TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS OF THE INTENT TO CHANGE LANES, OR MAKE TURNS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK. I WOULD HAVE TO HIT THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THEN THE SIGNALS WOULD WORK. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE A NEW HAZARD SWITCH INSTALLED. *NM
2002 ALERO WINDOW REGULATOR IS BRITTLE AND DISINTEGRATING CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL DOWN. *TS THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOOSE AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR MESSAGE CAME ON. *JB
TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WITH 65,000 MILES IN FEB. 2006. EXPERIENCED A TICKING NOISE DAY BEFORE AND WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN CHAIN BROKE AND LOST POWER. AUTO REPAIR SERVICE INDICATED IT WILL COST AT LEAST $1500 TO REPLACE CHAIN AND ADDITIONAL PARTS. ALSO INDICATED OIL PAN WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AS FRAGMENTS WERE DETECTED INSIDE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 15MPH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THE NOISE WAS COMPARED TO METAL ON METAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED SEVEN TIMES PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ON AVERAGE, THE BRAKES AND PADS WERE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE REASON THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE BEING REPLACED SO OFTEN WAS, ASBESTOS WAS NO LONGER USED IN THE MATERIALS WHEN MANUFACTURING THE PARTS. THIS WOULD LEAD TO REPLACEMENT OF THE PARTS MORE OFTEN WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL BASIC MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V327000, REGARDING THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB UPDATED 02/21/06. *JB
BRAKE COMPLAINT: FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS CONTINUE INCLUDING ABNORMAL ACCELERATED WEAR, BRAKE NOISES AND ROTOR CORROSION. FRONT AND REAR ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, TURNED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE FRONT AND REAR PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES IN LESS THAN 32,000 MILES. IN TOTAL, MORE THAN $1,000 HAS BEEN SPENT IN OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS PLUS WARRANTY WORK TO DATE. IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED EVERY 3,000-5,000 TO INSURE THAT BRAKE OPERATION IS SAFE AND THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PADS AND ROTORS ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. CORROSION OF THE ROTORS REMAINS A PROBLEM AND ACCELERATES THE WEAR OF THE PADS. *JB
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FLICKER BUT FAIL TO COME ON IN BACK OF VEHICLE, OR THEY JUST DON'T WORK AT ALL. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I MAY START OUT DRIVING AND THEY ARE FINE, THEN THEY COMPLETELY STOP WORKING, AND BY THE END OF THE TRIP THEY WORK AGAIN. SOMETIMES THEY WORK THE WHOLE TRIP, SOMETIMES NONE AT ALL. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. *NM
BLINKERS FAIL ESPECIALLY DURING HUMID WEATHER. IT BEGAN DURING THE SUMMER. BLINKERS SOMETIMES WORK, BUT THEN WILL FAIL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THE 2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO, BUT NOT FOR THE 2002 EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
THERE ARE SEVERAL DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST STARTED IN 2004. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK, WILL NOT SHUT OFF, OR START AGAIN WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION AND STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CREATES A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY - STARTLES YOU, THEN BLOCKS VISION. NEXT, THE SECURITY FEATURE IS MALFUNCTIONING. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AND PROBLEM IS FIXED WITH LEAVING THE CAR IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 TO 20 MINUTES (RESETS THE SECURITY). THIS DRAINS THE BATTERY AND IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE NOW BEGUN TO WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS OBVIOUSLY. THE WINDOW CONTROLS SOMETIMES DON'T WORK, THE SIDE-MIRROR CONTROLS ALSO DO NOT WORK SOMETIMES. THE HEAT/AC CONTROLS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY - MOST OF THE POSITIONS DO NOT BLOW. YOU CAN HEAR THE MUFFLED SOUND OF THE AIR WHEN ON HIGH, BUT AIR DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE VENTS. THESE ARE THE COMBINATION SETTINGS, THE INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS WORK, SO IT CANNOT BE CLOGGED VENTS. LASTLY, THE REAR DEFROST RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING AND, WHEN TURNED ON, EMITS A BURNING SMELL. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND DRIVEN DAILY OUT OF NECESSITY. *NM
MULTIPLE INTERMITTENT TURN-SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS IN 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO SINCE PURCHASE IN 2003. MALFUNCTION CAN SOMETIMES BE CONTROLLED BY LIGHTLY PUSHING IN ON HAZARD WARNING SWITCH LOCATED ON DASH. *NM
THE TURN SIGNAL IS FLASHING IN AND OUT OF USE. SOMETIMES IT WORKS WHEN YOU TURN THE SIGNAL ON, AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING AFTER IT HAS STARTED WORKING, AND IT GOES OUT BEFORE THE TURN IS COMPLETED. THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH YET, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN MAKING A TURN AND THE SIGNAL STOPS WORKING. I HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE I THOUGHT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED AND I WAS WAITING ON THE LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A DEFECTIVE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. GM HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000 AND 2001 MODELS, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2002. *NM
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero → · Every Alero year → · How the figures are calculated →