2000 Oldsmobile Alero: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Brakes · 24,617 miles · TX

General motors considers a warped brake rotor as normal wear and tear and would not be considered a warranty defect. Warped rotors cause undue vibration and sudden loss of control of the vehicle, especially at freeway speeds. The rotor was repaired under warranty at 24,000 miles, by turning the rotor in april 2002. However, the problem has since recurred and general motors will not repair them under warranty since the mileage exceeds their 36,000 mile warranty period. Mr. Evan doel (1‑866‑952‑4368) at the customer service department of general motors corporation also expressed the fact that a warped brake rotor on the alero is a "common problem" and that he has received several calls for this same problem. General motors corporation demonstrates corporate irresponsibility in knowing that repeated occurrences of a warped brake rotor on the oldsmobile alero is categorized and simply considered a "common problem." a problem in which the vehicle, its driver and its occupants are put into jeopardy that could result in injury and/or death. I have already written a letter directly to g. Richard wagoner, jr., chairman and ceo of general motors corporation on december 1,2003 and carbon copied to .mr. Paul white, general manager of crest auto group in plano, texas 75075, where the vehicle was purchased.

Filed Jul 23, 2002 · Brakes · PA

Front brake pads/just the inside brake pad wear to the medal/change brakes every other month due to this prob.lem.my alero is not the only alero affected.

Filed Jun 3, 2002 · Brakes · OH

The original front brake rotors in my 2000 oldsmobile alero (3.4l gls) have worn out far before they should have. From what information I have now found in newspapers and on the internet, this is a common problem with the 1999-2000 alero (and pontiac grand am); gm now manufactures new brake rotors to use as replacements. However, the gm garage that I had my car fixed at (walt sweeney pontiac, cincinnati, oh) did not replace the faulty rotors, but merely machined them so that they won't squeal/pulsate. I called oldsmobile to ask whether this was standard procedure, and whether I could have the new, safer brake rotors installed on my alero: the customer service person I talked with said that the rotors are machined down (made smooth) if it isn't *absolutely* necessary to replace them. Everything I've read on the 2000 alero's brake rotors indicates that they are substandard, and unsafe... There are even a few technical service bulletins out from gm about this (00-05-22-002a, 00-05-23-002a). I believe that the brake rotors are faulty and unsafe; gm, I think, knows this, and has updated their product. I believe that gm should hold a recall and should be replace the brake rotors under warranty; at the very least, when the brake rotors wear out, they should certainly be replaced with the new, more durable brake rotors, rather than sanded down to be replaced again when they wear out in a few months, endangering road safety.

Filed Apr 29, 2002 · Brakes · MI

Harsh vibration due to warped rotors appeared at 14,000 miles. Took to dealer, I was told gm only allowed them to turn the rotors, and I would not receive new rotors/pads. Now, at 22,000 miles, it takes significant pressure applied to the brake to stop the car.

Filed Mar 27, 2002 · Brakes · CA

The front tire are wearing prematurely due to the rotors being warped, the warped rotors cause the ront end of the vehicle to vibrate while braking. 6 months ago the tire were replaced because they were bald. Consumer will contact the dealer. Nlm

Filed Mar 8, 2002 · Brakes · OH

When traveling at high speeds front end vibrates violently. Dealer has been contacted. *ak dealer states because of vibration the rotors warped. Rotors needed to be shaved and brake pads replaced.

Filed May 21, 2001 · Brakes · MO

Bought this vehicle new on 8/3/00, since then the rotors have been replaced due to excessive warping 3 times. Problem still exists. Warped rotors prevent the ABS braking system from functioning properly. Car shakes violently when braking at highway speeds resulting in extended stopping distances and creates a major safety concern, some accidents have already occurred, must someone's life be claimed before something is done? I have contacted the manufacturer who was very rude and disconcernig with regard to this problem. In researching this problem, I have discovered that these cars and other makes are very prone to this problem and gm has no permanent repair for it. The quality and safeness of the alero is unacceptable general motors should be pressured until they can fix this design problem.

Filed Feb 6, 2001 · Brakes · AL

Premature wear of rotors resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer has replaced rotors four times and brake failed problem has reoccurred. Manufacturer has been notified.

Filed Jan 29, 2001 · Brakes · TX

For the third time I am having the front brake rotors resurfaced because they are warped. If I brake sharply at expressway speeds of 60mph and above I get a violent shaking transmitted into the steering wheel from the warped rotors. I sent olds an e-mail asking if there were known problems with soft (insufficently hardened) front brake rotors on the alero and they would not respond to my request in writing (via e-mail) they suggested I call their 800 number for customer service and open a complaint, which I did. It wasn't until I searched your database, seeing a number of similar brake rotor problems that I decided to submit a report to you. I never took this car to the dealer from whom I purchased it for this problem because it only began after about 13,000 miles (out of warranty). I beleive that there is a materials quality problem here probably with the rotors not being sufficiently hardened during the manufacturing process.

Filed Oct 10, 2000 · Brakes, Fuel system · MD

Engine stalls while driving - happened on highway, side roads, all speeds. No warning. Car may or may not be restartable. Car stalled on highway during dealer test drive required a tow. Also rotors warped - steering wheel shakes during high speed breaking

Filed Oct 2, 2000 · Brakes · OH

Warped rotors caused vibration while applying the brakes, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer where they turned the rotors instead of replacing them, service bullitinf 00-05-23-002 stated that the rotors and pads should be replaced with new components. Nlm

Filed Aug 25, 2000 · Brakes · OH

The front end started to shake violently when braking at speeds starting at 65-70 MPH. The dealer fixed the problem the first time replacing warped rotors. The second time the dealer told me they would have to contact oldsmobile engineering to find a fix. I have had allot of nuisence problems but this vehicle is very unsafe with no real fix available.