2000 Oldsmobile Alero Brakes Problems

WHILE DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS, I MOMENTARILY LOST TRACTION. THE POWER TO THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF, CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. MY CAR SPUN ABOUT THREE TIMES, AND I FINALLY CAME TO A STOP FACING TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY, THE ROAD WAS EMPTY, SO I WAS NOT INJURED. I AM ESPECIALLY WORRIED BECAUSE MY CAR IS PART OF GMS RECALL, BUT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. GM CLAIMS THAT A NEW KEY WILL FIX MY PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING ON MY KEY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, SO I KNOW THIS IS A LIE. GM IS CONTINUING TO ENDANGER THE LIVES OF ITS CUSTOMERS BY NOT FULLY ADDRESSING THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10692437

Incident

Mar 4, 2015

Mileage

152,777 mi

DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD AT 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN STEERING AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK WENT IN THE DITCH JUST ABOUT FLIPPED THE CAR THE INS COMPANY SAID TO BAD CAN NOT DO NOTHING THE RECALL ENDED THAT NIGHT TO LATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10682367

Incident

Jan 30, 2015

Mileage

156,748 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED AND STEERING BOX IS NOW LOOSE. UPDATED 03/2/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10609873

Incident

Jul 9, 2014

Mileage

187,000 mi

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR THE BACKSEATS WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE CAR. THE DASHBOARD IS PEALING UP ALL THE WAY AND THE PAINT IS GONE FROM MY GEAR SHIFT. BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE DRIVER SIDE I HAD TO GET FIXED FOR INSPECTION COST ABOUT $300. TIRES AND BRAKES NEED REPLACED CONSTANTLY. LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BLINKERS DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME AND WHEN THEY DO IT IS THIS HORRIBLE LOUD CLICKING NOISE. CD PLAYER/RADIO STOP WORKING RANDOMLY. AC ONLY WORKS ON 3RD SETTING. REAR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON AND BULBS ARE BRAND NEW. TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WITH BUTTON FROM INSIDE CAR OR KEYLESS ENTRY. MY TRUNK RANDOMLY COMES OPEN FOR NO REASON AND ONCE WOULD NOT LATCH TO SHUT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT THEN RANDOMLY LATCHED SHUT. CAR LEAKS WATER IN THE FRONT AND BACK. RECENTLY MY CAR WON'T START EVERYTIME IT RAINS. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO PLACE AND THEY RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPUTER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. NOW IT'S AT A WINDSHEILD PLACE BECAUSE THE MECHANIC SAYS ITS LEAKING WATER INTO FUSE BOX. GLASS PLACE IS SAYING THAT IS NOT IT EITHER. I AM AT MY WITS END. IT DRIES OUT AND WILL START AND AS SOON AS IT RAINS WILL NOT START. I DON'T WANT TO PAY ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I SEE WHERE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUSES AND WATERS LEAKS. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED TWICE IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS AND HAD $600 WORTH OF WORK DONE ON MY CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR. I'M VERY AGGITATED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS CAR AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. I EVEN COMPLAINED TO THE BBB ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM TO NO AVAIL. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10288596

Incident

Oct 13, 2009

I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SEEMS TO BE TOO MANY PEOPLE WHOSE WINDOWS JAM THAN FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. I HAVE PERSONALLY PAID OVER $400 TWO TIMES TO HAVE THIS FIXED. ALSO ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR ARE THE BLINKER WHICH SOMETIMES WORK AND SOMETIMES DON'T. JUST THIS WEEK ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE BLOWER IS NOT WORKING THEREFORE NO DEFROST IN THIS COLD WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219313

Incident

Jan 21, 2004

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING 35 OR 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTOR, AND CALIPER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,083 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,600.

NHTSA ID

10212493

Incident

Apr 1, 2006

Mileage

115,600 mi

MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO HAS HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE PURCHASING IT IN JUNE OF 2002. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY WATERPUMP, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, TIRES, BRAKES AND ROTORS CONSISTENTLY (THREE OR MORE TIMES AYEAR) . THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS MY GAS GAUGE WILL INDICATE THAT I HAVE 1/4 TANK AND TO MY SURPRISE THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS MORE FUEL IS ADDED. THE ENGINE ALSO SOUNDS ROUGH, I HAVE BOTH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS ON, ALONG WITH MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE, ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ON AND I HAVE NEW TIRES, REPLACED A GAS CAP, AND THE LIGHTS WENT OFF, BUT THEN COME BACK ON. I AM ALSO POSITIVE THAT MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE COSMETIC DEFECTS ARE THAT OF THE DASH BOARD STARTING TO PEEL AND COME LOOSE. I HAVE READ UP ON THAT GM RESPONDED TO A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALEROS ABOUT THE GAS PROBLEM AND I CONTACTED THE DEALER DORSCHEL AND SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER LOU, GM AGREED TO ADD A DIFFERENT FILTER SO THAT THE GAS WAS DRAINING BACK INTO THE TANK, IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE THAT DEALERS COULD BE FINED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DAILY IF NOT COMPLIED WITH, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN ACTUAL RECALL, THE DEALER DENIED MY REQUEST TO FIX. AFTER READING THE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE VEHICLES, I AM SHOCKED THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, THE SHOULD BE AS THEY ARE NOT SAFE CARS IN MY OPINION. I AM CHALLENGING YOU TO TAKE A RIDE IN MY CAR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND SEE IF YOU FEEL SAFE, BECAUSE NOT ONLY AM I OUT 13,000 THAT I PAID FOR THE CAR, BUT ALSO IF I HAVE TO ESTIMATE PROBABLY ANOTHER 6,000 IN REPAIRS. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I EXPECT A WRITTEN RESPONSE FROM YOUR OFFICE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO TO INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY READ MY LETTER, BUT YOU SHOULD GOOGLE IN 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALEROS AND SEE THE DISGUST OF PERFORMANCE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210349

Incident

Jan 9, 2003

Mileage

135,000 mi

I HAVE AN 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO WHICH IS A PIECE OF CRAP SINCE I FIRST BROUGHT IT HOME. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE BRAKES ABOUT 7 TIMES!!! I HAVE ALSO HAD TO FIX ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE STATED IN THE RECALLS. I FIXED THE RECALL PROBLEMS BEFORE THERE EVEN WAS ANY RECALLS BECAUSE GM WOULD NOT HELP ME. THEN LATER I WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALLS. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS SHOT!! THE ETS SYSTEM IS NOT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT PROPERLY. WE FOUND A BOLT LAYING IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN WHEN WE FIRST SERVICED IT. IN THE BEGINNING WE THOUGHT WE ONLY NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER CHANGE BUT COME TO FIND OUT THAT BOLT THAT WAS IN OUR TRANSMISSION PAN FILTERED THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION ALLOWING SOMETHING TO BECOME LOOSE IN THE TRANSMISSION MAKING IT SHIFT VERY HARD. WE HAD 2 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND BOTH AGREED THAT WE NEEDED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS BUT EVEN IN THE BEGINNING OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE THINGS STARTED TO GO WRONG. NOW OLDSMOBILE IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND GM/OLDSMOBILE WONT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME WHICH IS TYPICAL OF GM. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH GM ABOUT 5 TIMES NOW AND THEY JUST KEEP TELLING ME THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER. BASICALLY I'M OUT OF LUCK. NOW IT WILL COST 2000.00 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND I DO NOT HAVE THAT. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A GM VEHICLE EVER AGAIN. I THINK THAT A FOREIGN CAR LIKE HONDA OR NISSAN WOULD BE MORE RELIABLE AND WONT BE A PIECE OF JUNK THAT ISN'T EVEN WORTH 100.00. PLEASE HELP ME I NEED A VEHICLE FOR WORK. *NM

NHTSA ID

10171660

Incident

Jul 20, 2006

Mileage

82,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO IN JUNE OF 2002, SINCE THE PURCHASE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MECHANICAL ISSUES. THE FIRST BEING BRAKES/ROTORS BEING REPLACED TWICE A YEAR, THEN MY HEAD GASKET WENT, TIRES WEAR TOO QUICKLY, AND NOW MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, NO TRACTION LIGHT (WHICH DOES NOT WORK), CHANGE OIL LIGHT IS ON, AND NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY WHEEL BEARINGS, AND CV JOINTS, THE CAR ACTUALLY MAKES GRINDING NOISES WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT AND OFTEN SOUNDS AND FEELS AS IF I HAVE A FLAT TIRE. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE REPAIRS DONE AND THE CAR WAS FINE FOR 1 WEEK AND NOW ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ARE BACK EXCEPT FOR THE HEAD GASKET. DID I MENTION I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AS WELL, I FEEL THAT FOR THE PRICE I PAID AND THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME DIFFICULTY AS ME, WHEN I READ OTHERS PROBLEMS, I FEEL LIKE I AM READING ABOUT MY CAR. THIS WAS MY FIRST CAR I HAD EVER PURCHASED AND FEEL THAT MINE AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY IS AT RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND I AM ABOUT OUT OF MONEY REPLACING PARTS. PLEASE LOOK INTO ANYONE WHO OWNS A OLDSMOBILE ALERO AND GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID

10160672

Incident

Sep 14, 2002

BRAKES PULSATE VERY BAD. I HAD FRONT ROTORS REPLACED APPROX. 6,000 MILES AGO AS WELL AS PADS AND PULSATION IS BACK. MECHANIC STATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALEROS...*

NHTSA ID

10159192

Incident

Jun 6, 2006

I HAVE A 2000 OLDS ALERO AND JUST HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT ROTORS BECAUSE OF "PULSATION" FEELING IN BRAKE PEDAL..I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT MY ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING AND THAT ALERO'S WERE NOTORIOUS FOR FAST-WEARING ROTORS. I REPLACED THEM BUT NOW AFTER ONLY 4,000 MILES THE PULSATION IS BACK. NOW THE MECHANIC/DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT IT IS A KNOWN ALERO DEFECT..I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP PAYING FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY A DEALER ISSUE... *NM

NHTSA ID

10149612

Incident

Oct 24, 2005

ON MARCH 3, 2005 MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GL V6/3.4L WOULD NOT START. ON MARCH 4, 2005, ALL 3 DISTRIBUTOR COILS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL 6 SPARK PLUGS. THE CAR WORKED FINE UNTIL MARCH 7, 2005 WHEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. IT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO START AGAIN. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR SEEMS TO TRY TO START BUT IS UNSUCCESSFUL. IN MY ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO KNOWN RESOLUTION FOR OTHER OWNERS OF THE ALERO. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, I HAD THE MECHANISM FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REPLACED. IN DECEMBER 2004, THE SAME WINDOW FAILED TO WORK AT ALL. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED AGAIN. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AFTER A SUDDEN COOLANT LEAK COMPLETELY DEPLETING THE SYSTEM IN NOVEMBER 2003, AND THE SAME SITUATION OCCURED AGAIN REQUIRING THE WATER PUMP TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2005, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER. ONE OF THE CIGARETTE LIGHTERS STOPPED WORKING IN JUNE 2004. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT, AND COOLANT LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT IS TOUCH AND GO, MEANING IF I TOUCH THE CASE, IT MAY OR MAY NOT GO ON OR OFF. THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT ON MY ONE HAND IN THE NEARLY 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING AND BUZZ HIDEOUSLY UNTIL I PRESSED THE HAZARD BUTTON. WATER HAS COLLECTED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD AND IN THE TRUNK FROM SEAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BURN OIL QUICKLY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10112690

Incident

Mar 7, 2005

Mileage

25 mi

2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO MOTOR, IGNITION, FUEL PUMP AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE TURN SIGNAL DON'T WORK. THE A/C ONLY WORK ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE IDLING. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2-3 TIMES PER YEAR. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10128030

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN MY 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THIS YEAR I AM REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN. THE COST OF EACH REPLACEMENT WITH LABOR IS APPROXIMATELY $600.00 IF YOU RUN AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ALERO, YOU WILL FIND THAT TWO COMMON PROBLEMS EXIST FOR THE ALERO. ONE IS BRAKE PROBLEMS (A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE) AND THE OTHER BEING FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. HOW LONG WILL IT BE (OR HAS ALREADY HAPPENED) BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BY A SITUATION WHERE THE FUEL PUMP FAILS WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR ONLY TO FIND THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION? GM SHOULD STEP UP AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DEFECTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10093653

Incident

Oct 2, 2004

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED THE BRAKE FLUID REMAINED LOW. THEN ,THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE, AND CURRENTLY THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094968

Incident

Oct 4, 2004

Mileage

82,000 mi

ALL FOUR OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED WITHIN A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS, I HAVE REPLACED 3 OF THE FOUR, THE LEFT REAR DOOR STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED DO TO THE COST OF PARTS FOR THIS CAR, IN ADITION, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE 2 TIMES WITHIN A PERIOD OF 1 YEAR, JUST BEFORE THE LAST TIME I REPLACED THEM, MY REAR CALIPERS WENT OUT, THEY WILL ENGAGE, BUT WILL STAY LOCKED, ONLY RELEASING AFTER I DRIVE FOR ABOUT 20 FEET OR SO, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATING ITSELF AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO START THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES ( THE TIME IT TAKES THE SYSTEM TO RECYCLE ITSELF). IN ADDDITION, MY DOOR PANNELS COVERINGS ARE ALL COMING SEPARATED ACCROSS THE TOP OF OF THEM, AGAIN DO TO THE COST, I HAVE FAILED TO REPLACE THEM. UNFORTUNATLY THIS HAPPENED BEFORE I KNEW THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WHERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OLDSMOBILE ALEROS, SO I DID NOT RETAIN THE OLD PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10091070

Incident

May 9, 2003

Mileage

65,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10083158

Incident

Jul 29, 2004

Mileage

7,000 mi

THIS CAR HAS HAD THREE SETS OF BRAKES PUT ON IT AND NOW AT 45780 MILES IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER SET. I KNOW THE PREVIOUS OWNER WELL AND KNOW THE HISTORY OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE ESPECIALLY. THE BRAKES ARE EITHER OF SUBSTANDARD DESIGN OR USED INFERIOR QUALITY MATERIALS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE ROTORS ARE JUNK. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT SAFE IN A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

10079003

Incident

Jun 29, 2004

THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE;THE BRAKES AND ROTORS SEEM TO NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE 50000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10078587

Incident

Jun 9, 2004

Mileage

60,000 mi

REGARDING 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - INTERMITTENT FAILURE/ MALFUNCTION OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP.UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD APPEAR TO WORK FINE. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, INDICATED BY THE "LOW TRAC" LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT BE LIT, INDICATING A PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM SEEMS TO SENSE A SLIPPERY ROAD AND ACTIVATES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE AND THEN SLOWLY RE-ENGAGE, AS IF STOPPING ON SLIPPERY PAVEMENT. HOWEVER, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON DRY, NORMAL PAVEMENT AT NORMAL SPEED AND STOPS. HAVING THE BRAKES DISENGAGE WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP INCREASES THE NEEDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO EITHER TURN TO AVOID A COLLISION OR USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP. NOTE THAT THE THE RED BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT IS NOT ON DURING THIS CONDITION. AFTER STOPPING, THE AMBER "ANTI-LOCK", "TRAC OFF", AND "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" LIGHTS ARE LIT AND THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO DEACTIVATE THE ANTI-LOCK AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. THE BRAKES THEN WORK FINE, WITH THESE SYSTEMS DEACTIVATED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10072921

Incident

May 20, 2004

Mileage

79,246 mi

CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON; HAD PROB FIXED BEFORE MECHANIC SAID A WIRE WAS LAYING ON MANIFOLD, REPOSITIONED AND TIGHTENED BUT PROB IS OCCURING AGAIN; SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT STAYS ON ALONG WITH TRAC OFF LIGHT; CAR ENGINE PRESUR IS DECREASED AND MAKES NOISES AND WHEN TURNING WHEELS LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A SOUND LIKE RUBBER RUNNING TOGETHER; PADS HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 6 MONTHS AND RORTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10068528

Incident

Feb 3, 2004

BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 12,000 MILES. CURRENTLY, AT 30,000 MILES ROTORS MUST BE REPLACED. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID

10059761

Incident

Jun 15, 2002

Mileage

12,000 mi

BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECENTLY LEARNED THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. (NAR) *PH *CB

NHTSA ID

10064952

Incident

Feb 11, 2004

Mileage

25,584 mi

REPEATED BRAKE PROBLEMS. (NAR) *PH *CB

NHTSA ID

10061771

Incident

Oct 16, 2000

Mileage

3,497 mi

THIS IS THE THIRD BRAKE JOB , GOT CAR WITH 30,000 MILES HAD IT TWO YEARS - HAVE REPLACED BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS--CAR NOW HAS 55,000 MILES. HAVE REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH AND NOW ITS IN FOR THE DOOR LATCH FAILURE. EVER DRIVEN 30 MILES TO GET TO A DEALER WITH YOUR DOOR BUNGIE CORDED SHUT IF THAT IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM WHAT IS ?? THAT IS THE DRIVERS DOOR BY THE WAY. I HAVE MOST DEFINITELY LOST FAITH IN GM. MY NEXT VEHICLE MAY VERY WELL BE A HYUNDAI ACCENT, THEY HAVE ONLY ONE PAGE OF PROBLEMS AND THEY PROVIDE A WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10060529

Incident

Mar 6, 2004