RoadVitals

2000 Oldsmobile Alero Transmission Problems

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

Data refreshed

Transmission 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.
17
Latest Sep 8, 2007
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.
3%
of 557 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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 transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Transmission
Filed Sep 8, 2007

WITHOUT WARNING, THE GEARSHIFT KNOB BROKE OFF. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK, REVERSE, ETC. *JB

NHTSA ID
10202271
Incident
Sep 5, 2007
Mileage
57,500 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Oct 23, 2006

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
Transmission
Filed Mar 10, 2005

DRIVING A 2000 OLDS ALERO. THE GEAR SHIFT BECOMES INOPERABLE, BECAUSE THE PLASTIC BUTTON THAT IS USED TO PUSH IN TO OPERATE THE GEAR SHIFT IS COMPLETELY BROKEN ON THE INSIDE. THE PEICE HAS EVEN FALLEN OUT OF THE GEAR SHIFT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PLACE THE CAR IN GEAR. HAVE HAD TO PUSH THUMB INTO HEAD OF GEAR SHIFT TO ENABLE "PUSHING OF INTERIOR RELEASE" TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT IN POSITION. NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE UNDER MY POSESSION, AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD NOT ABUSED THE GEAR SHIFT EITHER. CAN CAUSE A "SUPRISING"MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN NOT ENGAGE THE GEAR YOU ARE INTENDING TO USE. RECENTLY I WAS BACKING UP IN THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE "BUTTON "CAME OFF, AND ROLLED UNDER MY SEAT. LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS NOT EXTREMELY BUSY AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO TRY TO LOCATE THE BUTTON WITH MY FOOT STILL ENGAGED ON THE BRAKE SO THE CAR WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO "BACK UP". THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED BY STICKING MY THUMB IN THE OPEN AREA I COULD THEN ENGAGE MY GEAR SHIFT INTO DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10113896
Incident
Mar 10, 2005
Transmission
Filed Nov 15, 2004

THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS PREVENTED THE CONSUMER FROM BEING ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITHOUT COST TO THE CONSUMER ON THE SECOND OCCASION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK UPDATED 2/15/2007 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10099965
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POPPED OUT OF GEAR INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089725
Incident
Jul 20, 2004
Mileage
56,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 5, 2004

1. THE BUTTON ON THE AUTOMATIVE GEAR SHIFT BROKE 2000, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BROKE AGAIN 2002. 2. THE TURN SIGNAL WOULDN'T WORK, WORKED ON TWICE, NOW A RECALL! 3. MOTOR ON POWER DRIVER SEAT BROKE. 4.DASH BOARD IS BUBBLING AND PEELING! CHEAP *** GLUE! 5. BRAKE PADS-TOO MANY TO MENTION! 6. CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT...NOW SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL RACE AND I DON'T HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, BUT IF YOU HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES, YOU HAD BETTER HOLD IT DOWN HARD, OR YOU'LL END UP RAMMING SOMEONE IN THE BACK. IF YOU TRY TO GUN TO GET THE RPMS DOWN, IT'LL SHOOT UP TO 3000 RPMS! 7. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH GMC/OLDSMOBILE!!!! I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS CAR!*AK

NHTSA ID
10074858
Incident
Apr 21, 2003
Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 2003

TWO GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE LOOSE AND SHOT METAL THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION CREATING A COMPLETE FAILURE. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AT A VERY LARGE COST. CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND WE BOUGHT IT ABOUT 3 1/2 MONTHS AGO. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047414
Incident
Nov 11, 2003
Mileage
48,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineTransmission
Filed Aug 7, 2003

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP: INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET: CRUISE CONTROL: TRANSMISSION. *PH

NHTSA ID
10031031
Incident
Jul 2, 2003
SuspensionTransmission
Filed May 1, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND GETTING UP TO FIFTY MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VERY HARD, SOMETIMES THE LOW TRACTION LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH UPON HITTING A POT HOLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ID
8008974
Transmission
Filed Mar 8, 2002

WHEN GOING UP A HILL ENGINE WILL SPUTTER. VEHICLE WILL REV WITHOUT TOUCHING ACCELERATOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INDICATED A BEARING IN TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8005214
Body & structureTransmission
Filed Sep 26, 2001

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED A LOT OF SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION, ALL-SPEED TRACTION CONTROL, ETC. HOWEVER A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM WAS OMITTED. THEY DID NOT INSTALL A "DOOR AJAR" SENSOR ON THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I SENT A REQUEST TO THE OLDSMOBILE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY NEVER RESPONED TO MY INQUIRY. AS WE HAVE CHILDREN, ON A FOUR DOOR CAR, WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A NECESSITY. PLEASE HELP ANY WAY YOU CAN. WE HOPE TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT FROM OCCURING TO US TO OTHERS.*AK

NHTSA ID
752623
Transmission
Filed Aug 7, 2001

TRANSMISSION STICKS IN 2 AND 3 GEARS. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
893631
Incident
May 1, 2001
Transmission
Filed May 10, 2001

VEHICLE WILL COAST BACKWARDS WHEN IN DRIVE POSITION, AND TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL COAST FOWARD WHEN IN REVERSE POSTION, AND WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKES DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *AK CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM THIS WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
887913
Transmission
Filed Apr 26, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 70MPH VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHEN GEAR SHIFTER WAS SLIGHTLY HIT. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS.*AK

NHTSA ID
886842
Transmission
Filed Apr 23, 2001

THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT LOCK, AND IS EASY TO KNOCK OUT OF GEAR (DRIVE TO N+1+2+3 AND REVERSE TO N+1+2+3). THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR TURNS SO HOT U CAN FEEL IT THROUGH YOUR JEANS. I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFTER UNTIL IT POPS JUST TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION EVERYTIME I CUT MY CAR OFF. THE CAR WAS ON WITH KEY IN THE IGNITION (OF COURSE) WHILE AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING ME OUT ON MANY DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THERE IS ALSO A REAL SLIGHT KNOCKING IN THE FRONT AXLE. --- THE DETAILED STORY -- WHILE MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS WERE TRAVELING BACK DOWN TO COLUMBUS,GA. I WAS GOING ABOUT 70 MPH IN THE FAST LANE, AFTER CHECKING THE MIRRORS. AT THAT TIME I REACHED OVER TO GRAB THE MAP, WHILE BARELY TIPPING THE GEAR SHIFTER WITH MY FINGERTIPS. THE GEAR SHIFTER POPPED INTO NEUTRAL...(ALL OF THIS HAPPENED IN LESS THEN ABOUT 10 SECONDS)... WHICH DROPPED THE CAR FROM 70 MPH TO 50-55 MPH, WHICH IN TURN MADE THE SUV THAT JUMPED INTO MY LANE BEHIND ME TO ACCELERATE WAS AWARE ENOUGH TO HIT HIS BRAKES AND THEN VERE OFF TO THE OTHER LANE...THANK GOD THAT THE ONLY THING I GOT FROM THE OTHER DRIVER WAS AN UPSET FACIAL EXPRESSION INSTEAD OF HIS FRONT BUMPER ON TOP OF MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT....WELL AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO AN DEALERSHIP IN VA BEACH, VA. FOR SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, ALL I WAS OFFERED WAS WRITTEN EXCUSES---BUT NOTHING WAS FIXED...SO I DECIDED TO CALL THE OLDSMOBILE COMPANY, AFTER THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY JUST REPEATED THE EXCUSES OF WHAT WAS THE WRITTEN EXCUSES THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME THE FIRST TIME....SO I TOLD THE MAN I UNDERSTAND THAT HE JUST WORKS THERE AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT HE ( I GUESS) TRIED TO HELP ME. BUT WHAT IF THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE TURN FOR THE WORST. ALL HE SAID WAS "WELL IT'S NOW DOCUMENTED, IN CASE OF A FUTURE FATALITY" ----IF YOU ASK ME, THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOT EVEN 18,000 MILES ON IT. I'M TRUTHFULLY LOST BECAUSE THIS MY 1ST NEW CAR AND I USUALLY OUT TO SEA. CAN U HELP

NHTSA ID
744418
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
BrakesTransmission
Filed Feb 15, 2001

BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; BRAKES PULSATE, METAL TO METAL NOISE. ABS BRAKES/ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO GEAR, NO SHIFTING. *AK

NHTSA ID
880682
Incident
Feb 15, 2001
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jun 27, 2000

THIS ALERO IS JUNK WE HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH IT SINCE WE BOUGHT IT.TWO PAINT JOBS, BRAKE WORK,TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TOO HARD, CAR RUN HOT ,LONG LIST WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CAR THAT ISNT A HUNK OF JUNK

NHTSA ID
724634
Incident
Apr 7, 2000

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

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .