RoadVitals

2001 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.
18
Latest Jan 24, 2015
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.
5%
of 364 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 suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 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

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

ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 24, 2015

I NOTICED DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 2014 THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO . I WAS TURNING RIGHT AND MY MOM WAS RIDING WITH ME WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WAS NOT WORKING LEFT OR RIGHT. SO WE MADE IT TO OUR DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND WHEN WE WERE LEAVING THEY WORKING . IT'S WEIRD BECAUSE BY CHANGING THE BULBS THE TURN SIGNALS ARE STILL GOING IN AND OUT WHEN THEY WANT TOO. AND WE NOTICED LIGHT FLUID LEAKAGE BUT IT WAS NOT LEAKING IN NOVEMBER WHEN I BROUGHT MY VERY OWN FIRST CAR FOR CASH AND I HAD THE OIL CHANGED SO I TOOK IT BACK TO JIFFY LUBES AND THE TECH COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, THIS WEEK JANUARY 21, 2014 MY STEERING WHEEL IS MAKING THIS STRANGE WHISTLING NOISE WHEN I MAKE A TURN, AND MY SECURITY LIGHT HAS CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK THE SAFETY GM RECALL LISTING FOR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678734
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 29, 2008

I HAVE A 2001 OLDS ALERO....FOR TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE SENSOR ON MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE SENSOR CAUSED MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO FAIL. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET FIXED IT SEEMS THAT MY BEARING WAS BAD. ON THE DAY THAT I GOT MY CAR FIXED 5 CARS BETWEEN 2 DEALERS WERE GETTING THE SAME PROBLEM FIXED. THEY WERE ALL GM CARS.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226072
Incident
Apr 25, 2008
Mileage
72,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 1, 2007

I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT I WILL NEED A NEW WHEEL BEARING. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR? *TR

NHTSA ID
10201671
Incident
Aug 31, 2007
Suspension
Filed May 9, 2007

FRONT WHEEL HUBS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2001 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT HUB AND BEARING 3 TIMES. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS IN 5/2007 TO THE LEFT HUB WHICH WAS JUST REPLACED IN 02/2006 WITH UNDER 15000 MILES. CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT WARRANTY ONLY COVERS PARTS FOR 12000 OR 1 Y EAR, AND ONLY OFFERED A 10% DISCOUNT OF 40.00 ON A 410.00 REPAIR JOB. *AK

NHTSA ID
10190256
Incident
May 8, 2007
Suspension
Filed Mar 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE BEARINGS FAILED EVERY 15,000-20,000 MILES. THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STEER PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS FOUR TIMES. T THE WHEEL BEARING WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE DEALER REPLACED THEM 3 TIMES, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACED THEM THE FOURTH TIMES. HOWEVER MANUFACTURER AND DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10153653
Incident
Mar 24, 2006
Mileage
76,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Aug 6, 2005

2001 ALERO (2 DR. COUPE) I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL SITES AND AM FINDING MANY ALERO OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. FUEL PUMP, WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, POWER WINDOW FAILURE(GRINDING/BREAKING CLIPS/REGULATORS), SERV ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BRAKE PROBLEMS ETC. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT OLDS KNEW THEY WEREN'T MAKING THIS CAR ANYMORE, AND SENT A SUB-PAR PRODUCT OUT INTO THE MARKET "HOPING" TO GET AWAY WITH AS FEW RECALLS AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED WITH OLDS AND GENERAL MOTORS. GENERAL MOTORS HAS GONE WAY OUT AND OFFERED ME A $500.00 CERTIFICATE TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. GIVE ME ONE REASON I SHOULD GO THROUGH ANOTHER NIGHTMARE LIKE THIS ONE. RECALLS HAVE NEVER BEEN ISSUED ON ANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE IT WOULD PROBABLY COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. I CONSTANTLY WAIT TO SEE IF ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS INVOLVING THESE VEHICLES OCCURS AS I WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO JUMP IN. WHAT'S THE SAYING..."IF IT LOOKS LIKE DOG CRAP AND SMELLS LIKE DOG CRAP DON'T STEP IN IT, IT'S PROBABLY DOG CRAP". THERE'S A DEFINED PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND GM SHOULD BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131778
Incident
Aug 6, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 28, 2004

FRONT HUB (DRIVERS SIDE) WENT BAD AT AROUND 48,000 MILES, DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. APROX. ONE YEAR LATER BOTH FRONT HUBS WENT BAD (AT JUST OVER 60,000 MILES WITH LESS THEN 12,000 MILES ON DRIVERS SIDE HUB) COST WAS AROUND $500.00 EACH TO REPLACE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104664
Incident
Dec 14, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 29, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES WITH LESS THEN 59,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101733
Incident
Nov 26, 2004
Mileage
59,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 26, 2004

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED ON/OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WEAR WAS LESS THEN 31,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101697
Incident
Nov 26, 2004
Mileage
31,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 19, 2004

2001 OLDSMOBILE ALERO - NEED REPLACEMENT OF WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLYS ON BOTH SIDES WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES! SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, ABS AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. ABSOLUTELY THE WORST FRONT SUSPENSION I'VE EVER HAD IN A VEHICLE. ALSO 'MISSES' AT AROUND 2000 RPMS - LIKE IT CAN'T DECIDE WHICH GEAR TO BE IN. BOUGHT IT USED FROM DEALER AND WARRANTY IS OUT, BUT WORKING WITH A GOOD MECHANIC TO HOPEFULLY GET PROBLEMS FIXED AT MY EXPENSE (DEALER WANTED $500 TO REPLACE EACH WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY). SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE ISSUES WITH A RELATIVELY NEW, WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10072864
Incident
May 18, 2004
Suspension
Filed Jun 6, 2003

STRUT BRACKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH UNDER 45,000 MILES. DEALER WAS UNCOORPERATIVE IN RESOLVING NECESSARY REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10021130
Incident
Jun 3, 2003
Mileage
43,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 29, 2003

AIR CONDITIONER DIDN'T WORK FROM DAY ONE. BLOWER THEN FAILED TO WORK. STARTER GAVE OUT WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AS DID THE IGNITION SWITCH. POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. OIL LIGHT SENSOR WENT OUT. POWER WINDOWS MAKE CRACKLING NOISE WHEN LOWERING. ROTARS MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING EVEN WITH BRAND NEW ROTARS AND BRAKES. FACTORY TIRES WOULD MAKE A THUMPING NOISE AS LOW SPEED BRAKING. NOW FRONT SUSPENSION IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT END SUSPENSION AND NOISE WILL NOT GO AWAY.

NHTSA ID
10020720
Incident
May 29, 2003
Mileage
4 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 31, 2002

CONSUMER CALLED STATING THAT SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND FELT A REALLY STRONG DROP OF THE VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TWO ROLL OVER A COUPLE TIMES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE REAR RIGHT TIRE HAD CAME OFF CAUSING REAL BAD PROPERLY DAMAGE. TS

NHTSA ID
8021991
Suspension
Filed May 25, 2002

THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT NHTSA WAS CONTACTED BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVING NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRENCE. IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FACTORY WHEELS BUT I'M NOT SURE OF THIS. THE DEALER IS NOT ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ADVISE THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THEY TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION BY REMOUNTING THE TIRES BUT THIS HAD NO EFFECT. THE PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICABLE WHEN IT IS RAINING.*AK

NHTSA ID
762266
BrakesSuspensionVisibility
Filed May 10, 2002

BRAKING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, PADS AND CALIPERS WILL EASILY WEAR DOWN AND THERE IS A GRINDING NOSIE AT LOW SPEEDS, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE PARTS SEVERAL TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CHATTERS, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING.*JB

NHTSA ID
8009562
Incident
May 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Mar 19, 2002

VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A RUBBING/SQUEALING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *JG *AK

NHTSA ID
8005941
Incident
Nov 27, 2001
Suspension
Filed Mar 15, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT AND RIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
8005775
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Jan 3, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THE ABS ROTORS WERE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE ALTHOUGH ROTORS AND THE PADS WERE STILL NEW, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS, BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL MAKING THE GRINDING NOISE. *AK ALSO THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT, WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE AIR PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, BATTERY LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON.*SLC

NHTSA ID
8001446
Incident
Jun 1, 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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .