Used 2001 Oldsmobile Alero Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Would not pick this one over again.
I have owned this car for almost 2 years now. I bought it with around 80,000 miles on it. It now has 110,000 miles. And I would not do it again. About a month after I bought it the front wheel bearings went out. I have also had problems with the drivers side window - had to replace the motor. The head gaskets have had to be replaced and the brakes react terrible if it rains or snows. Needless to say this has not been anything like what I thought. None of the repairs have been anything close to cheap or acceptable. I would not recommend it to anyone, especially for young driver. Alero's are very questionable cars, its a 50/50 chance - you either get a good one or a very rotten lemon.
A definite NO!
I bought this car at 160K miles and right after I bought it and drove it home, problems started to arise. The check engine light went on right as I drove it home, I didn't think much of it because everything seemed fine. A week later, I went to O'reilly's and got the codes pulled from the computer. Some sort of emissions trouble code and a piston spark plug fire miss code came up. Not a big deal at all, but just troubling since it started on my first drive in it. After that, the A/C compressor bearing went out and it made a loud pinging noise. Since the A/C compressor was such a pain in the butt to get to, I never bothered to get it fixed and just lived without A/C. Next, the stud on the trailing arm in the passenger's rear cracked off which rendered it useless. It wasn't too much of a pain to replace that, but a new trailing arm is quite expensive. After that, the power steering lines rusted through and I had to replace those which was VERY difficult and pretty pricey. Next, the alternator went out and I had to replace that which wasn't too difficult but pricey. Finally, the head gasket blew and it was EXTREMELY difficult to tear apart the engine and replace all the gaskets. Altogether, I got a discount on the materials required which cost around $180 but it took about 3 days to get it all fixed. Took it for a test drive after that and learned that I needed new spark plugs and spark plug wires. I took it around the block twice just to be sure everything was working properly. The next day, the car caught on fire and was totaled. A tiny bit of gas turned out to be leaking out of the return rail and the rusted spark plug wires arced to the motor and sparked the fire which soon became very large and melted a good portion of the wire harness. Overall, I took great care of the car. I frequently checked my fluids and got my oil changed every 3K miles. I definitely got a nightmare car though, note that I only had the car between 160K miles and 168K miles which was only for about 10 months. This is my bad experience with this car, take it or leave it.
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Not horrible, but personally would suggest one
I have had one of these cars for 7 months now. Got it at 75K miles ran pretty good, now at 86K miles and well..it's not going to well. The engine burns oil already, the transmission shifts hard and slow(Checked the fluid, it's fine) The ride in this car is well..bad. You can feel every bump, it's loud, especially on the highway, expect to have to turn the radio up. The engine is very loud, and I have the 2.4L 4 cylinder engine and it's also very slow, it literally sounds and accelerates as if it had a big diesel engine in it. It averages 19 City, 25 Highway which is pretty bad for a car..especially considering it has a 4 cylinder engine...It's also not very comfortable...
Merry Christmas! I keep my dash board...
Lights on all year long! My car is paid for and has been for some time. This is a good thing because it costs so much to keep it running! Wheel hubs, bearings, brakes, $$tires. I would tell anyone who asks not to buy an Alero, it is a complete lemon. I bought this car brand new, I have taken it to the Oldsmobile dealer for repair and no one can seem to fix my car. My dashboard lights are back on two weeks after it is "fixed." anti-lock, service vehicle soon, service engine soon, trac off always on!
Still a good car
My father paid $10,000 for the 2001 Alero with 12,000 miles for my brother and I in 2002 when we were in high school. I wasn't really crazy about it then because it seemed like EVERYONE had one but now I look back and see what a good car it was and still is. The only problem we have with it is the blinkers. They ALWAYS CLICK! It takes them a couple minutes to stop clicking even after they switch off. The car is now my brothers and he hasn't had a single problem with it since the battery died last year leaving him stranded in the mountains haha. Overall, great car for the money as long as it's taken care of.
A great all-around car
I bought my Alero certified used five years ago, and it remains a beautiful and practical car inside and out. Low mileage Oldsmobile are one of the best bargains out there and have served several friends well too. I replaced a power steering pump and a ventilation resistor under warranty, and a small screw cover fell off, but other than that, smooth sailing for daily driving and road trips after 70k miles. This car handles Chicago winters well with its wide tires, front wheel drive, traction control, and ABS. Still in love with it!
Not Impressed
If you happen to purchase this vehicle and their is a option to get an extended warranty I would highly recommend it. Very unhappy with the mechanical problems. At 58k I had to replace both front wheel bearings. Blower switch would only operate at high speeds. Replaced thermostat. The big one was at 78k the head gasket had to be replaced. Thirteen months later had to replace another front wheel bearing, ($500) out of my pocket because the warranty expired. The best investment in this vehcile was paying $35 dollars to transfer the original warranty to my name. Design of the interior isn't to bad except for cup holders in front. Gas mileage is good for a 3.4L, 26 city 31 hwy.
2001 Alero
It is a decent car for the money. It is fun to drive, but definitely not luxurious. I have the v6, so it has tons of pep. A lot of road noise on the expressway and you feel every bump in this vehicle. My car has a very long crank, which can be embarassing. (GM says it's normal) And the suspension doesn't feel like it is built for a v6.
2001 Alero
Excellent vehicle. 160K miles and less than $1500.00 maintenance expenses. Highly recommend for anyone responsible enough to own a vehicle....
Looks nice on the outside. Poison inside
Where to start? Within the first year I owned it; the entire transmission went out. Luckily, the warranty covered that. However, the abs system on this thing is the worst I've ever seen. The ABS light always comes on, they want hundreds to fix it. The worse though is the knock sensor issues. I spent $2000 to fix it once, as soon as I got it back, it went out again. I took into the dealership for that one repair alone over 10 times! They still can't figure it out--the service manager claims its a manufacturing defect. The front CV joints sound like they're about to fall off--every time I turn I hear a loud rubbing noise (Those have been replaced too). Overall, I've suffered too long...
I HATE THIS CAR
Since I have bought this car I have spent over $6,000 in repairs. In fact, right now I'm having my engine rebuilt. I thought this was a low maintenance car. Sell yours while you can.
Avoid
I bought my 2001 Oldsmobile Alero in September 2003. This car is without question the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I have lost track of all the repair work required to keep this vehicle running. Some of the bigger issues were the windows, fuel pump, defroster, tire pressure indicator, and brakes. I throw more money at this car than what it was worth. The quality of craftsmanship was absolutely horrendous. This car is a bust! Anyone thinking of purchasing one should seriously reconsider.
My experiance with this car.
Well, i thought this car was pretty cool when i bought it. The interior was super clean, and drove great! Well, until my car would randomly shut off on the road. It happened at least 4 times, brought it to the dealer and they said they couldn't diagnose the problem. Turns out it was the ignition failure(GM recall, but this was over a year ago when this started happening). I then traded this car in, because i just couldn't trust it. Other than that it was a decent car.
Keep looking.
119K when I bought it, so far I have redone the rear brakes, one wheel bearing, numerous lights, major and with no warning oil leak,thermostat, tie rod end,and battery. I'm told it needs a rack and pinion, ($800) and the crankshaft position sensor keeps malfunctioning. All in 3 years, 17K miles.
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Alero = "lemon"
In the last nine months I've had the Alero, I've had to bring it in to have warranty work done 4 different times. It feels cheaply made and has proven itself to be just that. I expected alot more.
Allero 2001
This is an Alero V6, GLS model. The car is fast and the v6 easily pushes the car down the road. Lots of nice interior dials and controls. Great Service from the dealership! Sporty car.
2001 Alero GLS 4 door
Purchased an Alero GLS in Feb 2001 and have not regretted it in the nearly 3 years since. The handling and braking with the performance suspension is excellent, although the steering is a little quick at highway speeds. The car has been very reliable with the exception of brake pads and rotors that wore out prematurely (22K), a common Olds problem. For the money, this seemed to be the best choice at the time and nothing has made me question that decision. Too bad Olds is going away as what's left in GMs lineup for the foreseeable future doesn't do it for me.
Farewell Oldsmobile, sad to see you go..
I was originally shopping for a more expensive car, however I purchased a new motorcycle the same summer and decided to be a bit frugal. Even after looking at more expensive cars, the Alero stacked up well. There were a few annoying items that were fixed under warranty (heater/ac fan control, driver window, some interior trim) but mechanically the car has been very reliable. It goes through brakes quickly, but other than that I have had almost 85,000 trouble free miles. The car exhibited very little body noise over rough pavement until the last ~10,000 miles. Nonetheless, it is better than many other comparably priced cars (Camry, Accord) in this respect.
Done with GM
I bought my 2001 Alero brand new and have had too many service issues with this car. Brakes, water leaks, windows, rear defroster, blinkers, security system. I will never buy another GM product again. This was my first brand new car and all the used cars I had previous to this one had better service records. What bothers me the most about this car is that GM/Oldsmobile really did not step up to the plate on this car. I even wrote to Oldsmobile headquarters - they only gave me some free oil changes! The only reason I keep this car is that it's paid for, but thinking of trading in before it gets too bad. Shame on you GM and Walier's in Keene NH!!
Typical GM Quality
The one thing I can count on with the Alero is that I'll have to spend $600 every year to replace a wheel speed sensor. The brake rotors warp, it has hard starting, it needed a head gasket replacement, it has shaky side mirrors, it has a terrible front cup holder design, and now it has an intermittent power window problem with the driver's door. These problems have all piled up to ensure that my next car will not be from GM. At least my car is stylish (okay, for 2001 maybe), fun to drive, peppy, and has never left me stranded at the side of the road (knock on wood). I don't know why GM insists on using replacement wheel speed sensors with the same defect as the original, and why they can't make the 3.4L start like every other car -- only 2-3 seconds of cranking!
Lovin' the Olds
From the first time I drove an Alero I loved it. I did test out some other cars to get an idea of what I wanted but there was just no question.
You wonder why GM is in trouble!
The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero is a piece of junk. I had more problems than you can imagine with it, far too many to list. The windows were scratched from the power windows, electrical problems, wheel bearing, brakes (x3), ABS sensors, you name it. This car was a money pit. When I tried to sell it, it was worth nothing. I basically gave it away and the poor kid who bought it, broke down after two hours of owning it. What a nightmare. Avoid this car or any GM product. They don't stand behind there name. When your warranty runs out, your screwed. I'm looking at a Subaru now. I swear I got 300 kms out of a tank of gas.
A Good Car at a Reasonable Price
I bought my Alero GLS new. The included 5-year/60,000 mile total warranty offer is what convinced me to buy it over a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry. I have been totally pleased. There are small annoyances: too much road noise, the front cup holder, and a few too many (warranted) repairs. But the car is a blast to drive, and I felt I got a lot of car for much less money than I would have paid for either of the other cars. My greatest complaint is the long start / two-try start which the dealer says is normal. It isn't, and it's embarrassing. Overall a very good value over the 4 years I have now owned it. If they were still made, I'd probably buy another in a year or so.
Never again!
At 39,000 miles had to have a head gasket replaced. In 61,000 miles have had to have 3 o2 sensors replaced at various times. Car now has a problem with hesitating going up hills and no one can track down what the problem is. This is the first and last GM product I will buy.
Ignore the naysayers
I bought this car at 38,000 miles and put 53,000 miles on it. It has needed the kinds of repairs every car needs - a new thermostat, starter, and a power-window motor. I also had to get new wheel bearings for the front wheels. The one bad thing is the rims. 3 of them are bent, but I do live in New York City. Everyone says they're pretty cheap though. Otherwise, it's a fun, zippy car to drive and the GLS model with a moonroof and spoiler is a good looking car.
257,000 miles and going
I bought this car at 19,543 miles. True, all cars will have problems. In the last 7 years I have had to replace head gaskets, Fuel Pump, Tie Rod Ends. Only major issues. Overall, it's an ok car. As of today it has over 250,000 miles. It's hard to believe from an Alero but YES.
My Olds
Got this car to replace totlly worthless junker of an accord. Bought it used with 28k miles. The 3.4 v6 has good power especially low and middle ranged tourque and the 4 speed hyramatic gives crisp and responsive upshifts and downshifts. Handling is almost as good as a BMW 3 series with the sport suspension and the stereo is really nice as well. Good fuel milage when drivien conservativly but goes down fast when driven hard. Overall I really love this car and will keep even after I get a new caar some 5 years down the road as a collectors Item
SO UNHAPPY
I HAVE THIS CARD 6MONTHS AND HAD IT BACK TO DEALER 8 TIMES. AXEL REPLACED, BOTH BEARINGS, BELT AND BELT ASSEMBLY, BRAKES TWICE, ROTARS ONCE. 02 SENSOR, GAS CAP FROM VAPOR LEAKS. I ALWAYS LOVED THESE CARS UNTIL I OWNED ONE.
Over 220,000 and still running strong
I brought this car in 04 used with only 30,000 miles. Now it's 2010 with 220,458 and still running. Just minor repairs (oil change, minor tune-up, brakes & tires). I'm still shocked over how reliable this car is.
DO NOT BUY THIS CAR
Had nothing but problems with this car since day 1. Back rotor brakes have been resurfaced 4 times (only 28K miles on car) and already need to be done again. There are random electrical problems (blinkers will randomly quit working while driving but turn the hazard lights on few seconds they will work again/radio will not turn off after car is off, keys out and doors open and will stay on constantly until suddenly going off as it should) that they can't seem to find an explanation for so can't fix. I bought this car because it claimed to be low maintenance but has been anything but. It has been in for repairs at least 6 times a year.
Pretty car, poorly built
I've had this car for nearly 3 years now. I regret my purchase. The Alero has nice styling, decently performs, but is very poorly built. Rotors warp easily, the doors leak, the A/C leaks into the dash, door panels warp easily, the dashboard creaks/squeaks, and now a recall for the hazard flashers. Body panel fit is lousy, and the switchgear is cheap. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.
Beware-o Alero 2001 GLS Sedan
I have had numerous problems with this car, the most expensive of which is the coolant system leaks due to poor design at GM. There's a class action lawsuit on this because it is such a consistent problem on these engines (3.4 Liter). If you have this engine, it will develop leaks. It can't possibly do otherwise since the coolant actually erodes the gasket material. It's simply a matter of time. Now with the wheel and brake problems and the numerous small issues, I have to say this would be a terrible choice as a used vehicle. If you like your money, stay away from it.
Annoying Problems
I have owned my Alero for a little over a year. The car is a solid drive, fast and fun, but I have been plagued by annoying problems. For example it's been in to the shop four times for the "service engine soon" light coming on. Turned out to be the O2 sensor each time, not particularly expensive but annoying just the same. Also the brakes are always noisy and seem to wear out quickly.Even with new rotors I still feel like it grates and grinds too much. The power windows have also caused a problem recently. Great looking car and real fun drive, but having previously owned a Japanese car, I think I'll head East again next time I buy. Make sure you like your dealer....you'll be back.
Great
I agree,when first driving it,fell in love, but the cupholder is just above the gear shift. pinched my fingers,but overall once you get used to that, and purchase a smaller coffee cup....everything is wonderful!
No more GM cars!
Bought this car used at about 60,000 miles and have put on another 60,000 driving to school/work. Driving and fuel efficiency aren't bad (although there's a big difference between winter and summer MPGs), but maintenance is a constant headache. I was actually vindicated to read on some of these other reviews about problems I've had: the leaky gasket issue, wheel bearings, starters, etc. Overall a sub-par vehicle which was obviously designed to last about 70-80 thousand miles and then be thrown away. Next car: something dependable like a Toyota or Honda - if my Alero is still worth anything at trade in when I can finally pay off the loan, that is.
2001 ALERO
Security light comes on and will start. This started off and on after the constant blinker noise that drives me nuts. The dealership supposedly fixed the blinker, the very next day is started doing it all over again and now the security light comes on and the car WILL not start! Called GM they said they have no issues or complaints about this! No recalls ! I have numerous other issues but this is the main one.. NOT reliable and will never buy GM again!
Overall--I really like the 4 door GLS
I did a lot of travel in 2000 and ended up renting the Alero several times. I really liked the layout of the interior and when I got a GLS version, the 6 cylinder had plenty of power. I was able to find exactly the model I wanted at a local dealer when GM was offering incentives, so I got a fully loaded 2001 silver model. The problems have been minimal in my opinion, and the build quality is ok for an American car, much better than I remember after owning several foreign models. Make sure to get the handling package option. I would recommend the car based on my experiences.
Alero: A Lemon for Every Regreting Owner
I have about 34K on this car it is my wifes. It has been in the shop WAY too many times for minor repairs. Although once for the transmission slamming into gear when we were moving cross country. The paint is falling off the door trim and its been 2 months and the dealer can not get the part from GM? It had 3 mirrors put on the drivers side because of shaking and they cant fix that. When it is not in the shop it does ride nice, is comfortable and stylish. But it's poor build quality makes us despise the car.
Owner
This is the best car I have ever owned
Great car at the price
First Olds I have had in many years. have been driving and audi and volvo. car handels very well and cannot beat preformance and economy. I drive car very hard and have had no problems .
Good Car
This is a great car for the money. It gets great gas milege, i get around 345 mpg highway. i've had no probelms with it execpt i did have to get new front brakes at about 40,000 miles and they still grind. the cars best features is the stereo and it also handles very well. the back tail lights are a little bit to big and it could use a little more horse power. other than that i would recommend this car to anyone who wants a good inexpensive car.
2001 Olds. Alero review
The car has been in for warranty repairs about 5 times for different failures, incl. the rear speaker, oil leak at the intake (2 times), spark plug wire, warped brake rotors, and warning brake light stays on. I currently have 55K miles on this car and it came with a 60K ext. warranty and I have used the extended warr. several times. The 3.4L 6cyl. is underpowered compared to my 1995 Grand Am w/ the 3.1L 6cyl. If I had to do it again I would not buy this particular vehicle.
You'll take the long way home from work.
The car is a real thrill to drive, with plenty of zip off of stoplights to take care of Civics and Eclipses. The handling is aggressive and crisp, and the acceleration is outstanding. The engine has a nice growl to it, if you like that sort of thing. I've definately gotten nothing but positive comments from friends and strangers. My major complaints are with rear visibility, due to the high back end, and the extremely large tailights. They're unique, but they're a blaitant attempt to shed Oldsmobile's "your father's car" steriotype.
Nice Investment
I bought my Alero brand new, and loved it. I got it fully loaded so it makes the car a lot nicer. The only thing that's ever gone wrong for me was the Trans and I had a clogged cat. I replaced the Trans and just put a straight pipe over the cat so it's all good. Still love this car and everything i got with it.
I wouldn't suggest it..
An Oldsmobile Alero was my first daily driver. It had 88K miles on it when I got it. The first thing I noticed was that the car shifted hard. Even if it shifted from 2nd to 3rd at a measly 2300RPM the car would jolt when it shifted. The second thing I noticed was that the car rode horribly. I got complaints from passengers all the time. The 3rd thing I found out is that my engine was burning 3 quarts of oil at 91K miles. The vehicle started every time I got in it without issue, but the car itself just wasn't great. It drove, rid and acted like a $1000 car. In the end I sold it for $2500 then paid it off so I could buy a $2000 car and have no payments. Haven't been happier.
Bad Brakes
Overall I have pleased with the vehicle. The main problem I have experienced has been the brakes. We had to replace brakes & rotors at only 30,000 miles and they still make a grinding noise with the new brakes. This is a definite manufacturing/design flaw on Oldsmobile's part. Brakes are not something you should short change on a car. This is a definite safety issue. The second issue I have is that the service engine soon light came on & won't go off. The third issue is a lagging starter. Sometimes it works beautifully & then others I have to prime it to get it to start.
No surprises
We bought our Alero brand new off the lot. It is a 4dr GLS V6 w/Sun & Sound pkg & has a sweet looking maroon paint. It is a sharp looking car. It's peppy & gets decent gas mileage. Ours had very good fit & finish & thus far (approx. 26K miles), we have had no major problems, though I think the brakes will need replacing soon. The front end is pretty low. My wife has already beat the heck out of the black rubber/plastic thing under the front by hitting curbs & tire stops. My wife complained about the moonroof rattling (I never noticed it), so Arnold Palmer Olds replaced the cover. No other problems with the moonroof.
Alero consumer
My alero has been reliable and economical. I like the design and it has many features for a small car. Overall impression is very favorable
My last GM product
This car has been in the shop more than any vehicle I have ever owned. All 4 electric window regulators (motors) replaced. Brakes are simply defective. Passlock/key caused four trips to the shop. Turn signals. Battery. Three radios.
Nice Car
I have owned my Alero since 2001 and it had 37 miles on it. It has been a great car overall with very few issues other than the standard that any 7 year old car needs. It has been a good family car, commuting car and its fun to use the V6 to get up and go when needed. Gas mileage has averaged in the high twenties and even by todays V6 standards that still seems good to me.