2000 Oldsmobile Alero: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 16, 2009 · Visibility · 100,000 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 oldsmobile alero. The contact stated that the driver's side window no longer operates. While driving 55 MPH, she can hear a grinding sound coming from the front driver's side wheel. The tire has not been diagnosed by the dealer. In addition, the air conditioning no longer works. The contact believes the mechanic has done something to the vehicle in order for the air conditioning to fail. She feels that all of these issues are safety hazards. The current mileage was 141,000 and failure mileage was 100,000. 4/01/09 *nj updated 04/06/09.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Engine · 100,000 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 oldsmobile alero. The contact stated that she heard a loud grinding noise coming from the engine. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would stall simultaneously. Prior to the failure, the engine warning indicator would flicker on and off. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2004 · Brakes · 7,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · PA

The windshield wipers, when set on intermittent cycle, do not work properly. Grinding noise starts, and window movement is interrupted of both sides of the driver and passenger.

Filed May 12, 2004 · Suspension · 36,000 miles · MI

The steering wheel shakes while driving at 60-75 MPH, on relatively smooth roads. The vibration can sometimes be felt through the floor on the drivers side, and the driver and passenger seats. The severity and location (steering wheel/seats/floor) of the shaking varies with different roads, but never goes away completely, even on newly resurfaced highways. On surface streets (50 MPH and less), the shaking is not noticeable. This has most likely lead to a lot of the minor squeaks and rattles in the interior that make the car sound and feel older than it is. I replaced the original tires at about 40,000 miles, and recently had the new tires rotated and balanced, but the problem persists. I have not yet taken the car to the dealer to repair this, since I am still recovering from $1700 worth of repairs I had done to fix the head gasket leak and replace upper strut mounts. This could be a very nice car, if it wasnt for the number of large (and expensive) repairs needed so early in the cars life.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Suspension · SC

I am on my third pair of brake pads and rotors. The last time this was corrected was in nov. 2002. The initial set that came on the car was supposedly "bad" and replaced nov. 2000. I got the car in aug. 2000. Problem was reported to dealer oct. 2002 as well. Never could identify problem. Grinding light and noises under hood that were finally identified as the brakes taken in again in jan. 01. The "other" consists of a new alternator in nov. 2002 as well as new tires in july 2002. I had to purchase two while gm gave me 2. Locks were messed up again april 02. Faulty window regulator in sept. 01. I have documentation of all of the invoices/printouts from the dealer as well as my maintenance papers.

Filed Jun 9, 2003 · Brakes, Tires · NE

I bought my oldsmobile alero new in july of 2000. Within a few months after purchase I started taking it back to the dealer due to a grinding noise that would happen when I was driving at slower speeds or turning. The dealer couldn't find anything wrong, but suggested I may need new brakes. I was not satisfied with this response since the car was less than one year old and I don't drive any more than the average driver. I then started taking it to a closer dealer (this one was a gm dealer and not specifically oldsmobile). After several visits they told me my brake pads were worn down and needed replaced. By this point it was 2002 and my car had about 20,000 miles on it. I still wasn't sure I agreed with it, but I let them replace my brakes. Still heard the noise. I can't even count how many times my car has been to the two dealerships for the same grinding noise. The last time I had it in was in may of 2003. They finally told me about a bulletin regarding tire size and told me this was causing the noise. This bulletin came out a year prior to this service visit and they had looked at my car numerous times. Now I'm having trouble with the rotors and from what I've read a lot of other people are too. When I apply the brakes, it feels like the car is jerking to a stop. I think oldsmobile or gm needs to own up to the defect and replace the rotors for those of us who are unlucky enough to own one of their aleros.

Filed Nov 21, 2002 · Brakes · AL

Consumer notices a grinding noise and grab when depressing the brakes. Dealer was contacted. Please provide further information. Ts

Filed Oct 29, 2002 · Brakes · NY

My brakes failed last night while driving almost causing an accident. It's in my gargage at home now because I'm afraid to drive it to the dealer. My dealer is saying too bad, bring it in, but you'll have to pay. Manufacturer is saying too bad, we've never heard of such issues, even though I have 51 pages of complaints. This is why olds is going out of business, for building crap cars, that they don't back! I will never buy another gm car again!!!! I find this totally unacceptable to have no brakes after just 15,000 miles and no prior issues. Now since the incident last night the brakes grind horribly and go right to the floor. What a joke and embarrassment for gm! Dt

Filed Aug 21, 2002 · Brakes · CD

Front brakes and rotors no longer have normal stopping distance. Vehicle is squeaking and vibrating when brake pedal is applied. Vehicle has gone in once a week, and rotors have been replaced 1 once every 20,000 miles. Dealer is aware. Please provide more information.

Filed Jun 5, 2002 · Brakes · MI

Our 2000 alero was taken to the dealership because there was a squealing and grinding noise with the brakes. After being looked at they told us we needed new brakes and our rotors turned. This is not covered by the warranty beacause it is considered normal wear and tear. Our car has 24250 miles on it. My wife drives the car back and forth to work 2 miles a day. Other than that it is just a pleasure car. I feel there should be a recall on the brake and rotor system before something serious happens.