RoadVitals

1999 Oldsmobile Alero Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
46
Latest Jan 19, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 462 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 46 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 46, in the owner's own words

Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jan 19, 2017

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING! THIS HAPPENED ON A COUNTRY ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH! *TR

NHTSA ID
10946551
Incident
Jan 19, 2017
Mileage
85,000 mi
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Dec 1, 2014

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SS ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE VEHICLE HAD AN EVAP LEAK AND THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10654382
Incident
Oct 9, 2013
Suspension
Filed Jun 30, 2013

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND MY FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN HALF AND DESTROYED THE TIRE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED AND REPAIRED AT A SHOP. WITH COST OF NEW TIRE IT WAS NEARLY 400 DOLLARS. JUST A FEW DAYS AGO NOW I HAD MY CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND WENT TO MOVE SOME BOXES AND NOTICED A PIECE OF COIL LAYING UNDER MY CAR BY THE BACK RIGHT TIRE. THIS COIL HAS SNAPPED AS WELL WHILE JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOTICE IT THIS TIME BEFORE I DROVE OFF. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THERE IS NO REASON THE COIL SPRINGS SHOULD BE RANDOMLY BREAKING LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522481
Incident
Jun 20, 2013
Mileage
129,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Oct 18, 2010

I AM ASHAMED TO SAY I OWN A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. I BOUGHT IT LAST YEARS AS A BACK-UP CAR, SO WE WOULD HAVE TRANSPORTATION SHOULD ONE OF OUR NEWER VEHICLE HAVE PROBLEMS. I GAVE $2000 FOR IT AND HAVE SPENT JUST AS MUCH ON REPAIRS. THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY THOUGH EVERY FUSE IN IT HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE ANTI-LOCK BREAK LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON. THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUT BROKE AND BLEW OUT THE TIRE IN THE PROCESS. I WAS FORTUNATE I WASN'T KILLED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. AND NOW THE HEATER BLOWER HAS STARTED MAKING AN AWFUL NOISE, SO IT WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. IN ADDITION THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT STAYS ON, I HAVE HAD IT TO NUMEROUS SHOPS AND NO ONE CAN DETERMINE WHY IT WON'T RESET. THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH FROM ALL OF THIS ARE A CONSIDERABLE DISTRACTION AS WELL AS ALL THE PROBLEMS THEY POINT TO. I AM APPALLED THAT IN THE USA WE PUT A STAMP OF APPROVAL ON SUCH A HORRIBLE VEHICLE. IN MY OPINION THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH ONE THAT RUNS PROPERLY. IT IS ABSURD AND DANGEROUS. I AM FORTUNATE I WAS NOT GOING A HIGH SPEED WHEN EITHER STRUT BROKE...OH NEARLY FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE STRUT ALSO BROKE JUST THIS WEEK. MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS, WHO'S NAME DO I GIVE TO MY LAWYER WHEN I AM FORCED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND SOMEONE IS HURT? IT IS LIKELY, GIVEN THE HAZARDS THAT COME WITH THIS CAR THAT EVENTUALLY SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN. I JUST PRAY I WON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IT MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361062
Incident
May 10, 2008
Suspension
Filed Mar 24, 2010

1999 ALERO PARKED IN GARAGE WITH 110000 MILE ON IT. I LIVE IN ND . BAKE UP AND FRONT LEFT TIRE BLOWOUT COIL SPRING HAD BUSTED I LOOKED AT I DID NOT SEE ANY RUST

NHTSA ID
10321889
Incident
Mar 24, 2010
Mileage
116,171 mi
Suspension
Filed May 5, 2007

PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK ON 5/4/07 AND HEARD A LOUD POP, STOPPED VEHICLE AND CHECKED BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME (ABOUT 1/2 MILE) AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT TIRE AREA. PULLED UP TO MY HOME AND THERE WAS A SOUND LIKE A GUN SHOT AND MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. TRIPLE "A" TOW TRUCK FOUND THAT MY RIGHT FRONT STRUT SPRING HAD BROKEN IN A WEAK SPOT AND OBLITERATED MY TIRE. CAR WAS TOWED TO BUCKEYE COLLISION AND I AM WAITING ON A ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE/REPAIR COST. I DON'T KNOW IF BUCKEYE COLLISION IS A CERTIFIED REPAIR PLACE FOR GM BUT I WOULD LIKE GM TO PAY FOR THIS AND MAKE IT RIGHT. I NOW WORRY ABOUT THE LEFT STRUT AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS KIND OF MAJOR REPAIR. PLEASE POST THIS MESSAGE AND CONTACT GM AND ANY OTHER REPORTING AGENCIES. THIS COULD LEAD TO A DEATH OF AN INNOCENT PERSON IF DRIVING FAST ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10189850
Incident
May 4, 2007
Mileage
63,580 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jan 26, 2007

I HAVE HAD AN 99' OLDSMOBILE ALERO FOR 7 YEARS. IT HAS HAD ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. IT HAS HAD AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM EVERY YEAR SINCE I GOT IT AND I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, POOR INTERIOR MANUFACTURER, AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SETTINGS FAILURE, FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, POOR SPRINGS/STRUTS, GEAR SLIPPING, HARD STARTING, WATER LEAKING IN FROM RAIN UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, OFF ALIGNMENT (SET THREE TIMES IN YEAR), POOR GAS MILEAGE, OVERHEATING OR RUNNING ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND SUDDEN OVERHEATING WITHOUT NOTICE OF GAUGE LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. HAS HAD FRONT RIGHT CALIPER FAILURE LOCKING BRAKE PADS DOWN AGAINST ROTOR CAUSING BURNOUT OF PADS,ROTOR WARPING, CALIPER CYLINDER DAMAGE. HAS HAD POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKAGE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH SELLING UNSAFE, WORTHLESS VEHICLES. THE ONLY REASON I STILL HAVE MINE RUNNING IS BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF PERSONAL AS WELL AS PAID LABOR INTO ITS UPKEEP OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THAT I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10180772
Incident
Nov 10, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Mar 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE, A BURNING SMELL APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING WATER. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY, WIRING, SPARK PLUG WIRING AND A BELT WERE REPLACED. THE WATER PUMP AND WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO CLEANED OUT. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE UPDATED 05/01/06.*JB

NHTSA ID
10152794
Incident
Mar 13, 2006
Mileage
79,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 28, 2005

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. SPRING WAS NOT RUSTED. PIECES WERE EXTREMELY SHARP AND COULD HAVE PUNCTURED TIRE EASILY. COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEED. I REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS BUT DID NOT THINK TO KEEP BUSTED ONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143796
Incident
Oct 25, 2005
Mileage
108,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 20, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT: 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - CONSUMER'S CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE HUB ASSEMBLY THAT HOLDS THE REAR PASSENGER STRUTS SHEARED OFF. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF AND THE CAR TURNED SIDEWAYS AND WENT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, BUT THE CAR DID FLIP SIDE WAYS. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO BREAK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PART. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS ONE INJURY.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10136402
Incident
Sep 9, 2005
Mileage
61,561 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Oct 7, 2005

DT: 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HUB BEARINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT END WENT OUT. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER OF THE PROBLEM, AND SAID IF SHE DROVE IT MUCH LONGER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE HEAD GASKETS ALSO BLEW OUT THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE AIR SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE GARAGE BEING FIXED FOR THE HEAD GASKETS. ALSO, FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THEN, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED , IN ADDITION, THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAD TO BE RESET A COUPLE OF TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10138983
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Mileage
56,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 5, 2005

DT: ON OCTOBER 1, 2005, NOTICED THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP, AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE, BUT DID NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE STRUTS BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID BASED ON THE LOW MILEAGE, THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT THIS HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. THEY TRIED TO CONTACT A LOCAL DEALER, BUT SINCE THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A HISTORY WITH A LOCAL DEALER THEY WERE ABLE TO ASSIST HER IN THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *AK (11/09/05) *SC

NHTSA ID
10138642
Incident
Oct 1, 2005
Mileage
40,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 28, 2005

1 I WAS LEAVING WORK PARKING LOT AND HEARD A CLUNK NOISE AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO SEE IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING AND CHECKED MY TIRES AND EVERYTHING APPEARED ALRIGHT SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT AGAIN AND HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN PSSSSSSSSSS. GOT OUT OF MY CAR AGAIN AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFLATED. 2 WHEN PULLING TIRE OFF TO CHANGE IT WE COULDN'T GET THE TIRE OFF BECAUSE THE COIL SPRING SHOT THROUGH THE TIRE. FINALLY GOT TIRE OFF AND CHANGED IT. 3 TOOK CAR TO STEVE SHANNON TIRE AND AUTO CENTER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. CHECKED WITH GM DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL (BEFORE HAVING SHANNON'S FIX IT) BUT THERE WAS NOT. TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT. PARTS REPLACED : 2 STRUTS, COIL SPRING SET, 2 STRUT MOUNTS, 1 TIRE. I DO HAVE THE TIRE AND COIL SPRING. I REPORTED THIS TO GM AND TOLD THEM I WOULD BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. *JB

NHTSA ID
10130492
Incident
Jul 17, 2005
Mileage
49,460 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 9, 2005

I HAVE A 99 OLDMOBILE ALERO. I WAS DRIVING IT OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW SPEED. NEAR THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD CRACK. I MANUVERED MY CAR INTO THE STREET AND THERE WAS A LOUD CRUNCHING DRAGGING SOUND. I STOPPED MY CAR AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW NOTHING. I MOVED MY CAR BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND WALKED AROUND AGAIN. I NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT TO THE GROUND. I TOOK OFF THE TIRE AND NOTICED A LARGE GROOVE AND SPLIT IN THE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO HOME AND TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. MY CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP WAITING FOR A COST ESTIMATE AND SERVICE. IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART.

NHTSA ID
10128198
Incident
Jul 8, 2005
Mileage
88,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jul 8, 2005

OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1999 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE AND ROTOR PROBLEMS. *SC THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE FRONT COILS SPRING FAILED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. LEFT FRONT ABS SENSOR AND HUB ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10129151
Incident
Aug 9, 2004
Suspension
Filed Jun 20, 2005

ON 5/27/05, THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING ON DASH TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CLANKING IN THE FRONT END AS THE DRIVER APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, THEN TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. THERE WERE NORMAL DRIVING AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED FRONT WHEEL BEARING ISSUES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AS A RESULT OF THE SPRING BREAKAGE. THE DRIVER NOTICED A WORN PATTERN ON THE TIRE WHERE THE SPRING HAD BEEN RUBBING. THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. UPON THE LAST INSPECTION THERE WHERE NO REPORTS OF A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT COIL SPRING SURROUNDING THE STRUT BROKE AND THE SHARP STEEL EDGE FROM THE BRAKE GOUGED THE TIRE WEARING A GROOVE IN IT AND AFTER A SHORT TIME CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE CAUSED SMOKE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10122493
Incident
May 27, 2005
Mileage
78,903 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 2005

MY CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT, AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE STALL, I HEARD A BANG. AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR, I COULD SEE THAT THE RIGHT FRONT END WAS SITTING ON THE TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD JUST BROKE. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME. IT COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY FATAL HAD THE SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I NOTICED THAT THIS SAME SPRING HAS BROKEN ON SEVERAL ALLERGY AND 26 GRAND AMS, BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED. I HAVE THE PART, IF FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. GM COULD BE EXPOSED TO STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY BECAUSE THIS DEFECT IS UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED GM, FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM, AND AM WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK. I LEFT 2 ADDITIONAL MESSAGES, AND NO ONE IS RETURNING MY CALLS. I AM ALSO GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10118504
Incident
Apr 8, 2005
Mileage
58,418 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 12, 2005

OCTOBER OF 2004 I WAS PARKED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS WAITING FOR MY DAUGHTER TO FINISH SCHOOL.WHEN I HEARD A BIG BANG. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR ,AND WALKED AROUND IT. I COULD FIND NOTHING. WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE IT THERE WAS A CRUNCHING COMING FROM THE FRONT END. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED. I REPLACED IT THINKING IT WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT. THEN THIS WEEK APRIL 10,2005 I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AGAIN HEARD ANOTHER BANG. THIS TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. I CAN SEE ONE BREAKING AS AN ACCIDENT , BUT WHEN BOTH GO. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. MY LAST CAR WAS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THEY TOO HAD A FRONT COIL SPRING ISSUE. FORD RECALLED OUR CAR AND REPLACED THE SPRING AT NO CHARGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10116795
Incident
Apr 10, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jan 12, 2005

ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUBS. ON 12/29/04 I HAD TO HAVE THE RIGHT BEARING HUB REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DO NOT RECALL THE MILEAGE THE FIRST TIME. I HAD ABOUT 129,000 ON THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10106184
Incident
Dec 29, 2004
Mileage
129,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 18, 2004

I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND ALSO MY BACK COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY BACK TIRE. I SPENT ALMOST A 1000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS FOR THESE REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104065
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
72,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 10, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AN SAW THE RIGHT TIRE FLAT. A MECHANIC INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10091755
Incident
Sep 10, 2004
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jul 23, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10082524
Incident
Jul 1, 2004
Suspension
Filed Jul 21, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10082391
Incident
Jul 20, 2004
Mileage
89,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Jun 14, 2004

1999 ALERO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MANIFOLD LEAKING OIL AND FAILED FUEL INJECTORS. *MR THE FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN SUDDENLY AS THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE MANIFOLD AND INJECTOR PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHIN ONE WEEK. RECALL #3V473000 AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10079526
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Suspension
Filed May 16, 2004

I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY WARNING TO THE EVENTS THAT LEAD UP TO THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. UPON RETURNING HOME AT 11 P.M. MAY15, 2004 FROM MY PARENTS HOME, I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE AND I SMELLED RUBBER BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE CAR OVER INSIDE AND OUT AND FOUND NOTHING AMISS, ONLY THE SMELL. I RETREATED TO THE CONFINES OF MY HOME AND AFTER A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, I HEARD WHAT APPEARED TO BE A GUN SHOT NOISE THEN A HISSING SOUND. I STEPPED OUTSIDE AND NOTICED THE HISSING SOUND WAS COMING FROM MY CARS RIGHT FRONT TIRE, WHICH HAD GONE FLAT. DECIDING I WOULD CHECK THE SITUATION THE NEXT MORNING THEN RETURNED TO THE HOUSE. THE NEXT MORNING, I LOOKED TO FIND IN FACT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. MY FIANCE TRIED TO PLACE A SCISSOR JACK UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO JACK IT UP AND REPLACE THE TIRE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. WE PLACED THE JACK UNDER THE REAR TIRE AND JACKED THAT UP UNTIL THERE WAS SUFFICIENT ROOM TO PLACE ANOTHER JACK UNDER THE FRONT TIRE. WHEN THE CAR WAS JACKED HIGH ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE TIRE, WE NOTICED THE COIL SPRING HAD SCHEARED IN HALF CAUSING THE JAGGED EDGE OF THE SPRING TO GOUGH INTO THE FRONT TIRE CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. THERE IS AN INDICATION THAT THE MANUFACTURES WELD ON THE SPRING WAS POORLY DONE AS APPARENT BY A RUST SPOT AT THE BREAKING POINT. I ALSO BELIEVE THE STRUT INSIDE THE COIL SPRING IS DAMAGED ALSO. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072690
Incident
May 15, 2004
Mileage
62,310 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .