2000 Oldsmobile Alero: engine knocking or ticking

6 of the 557 complaints about the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 67 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2004
2
2003
4
2002
5
2001
3
2000
6
1999
5

What owners say

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Steering · 32,300 miles · OH

The rack and pinion malfunctioned. As a result when turning the steering wheel a knocking noise was produced.

Filed May 6, 2004 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MI

The 3.4l v6 engine regularly lost coolant, and the reservoir had to be refilled about once a month. Also noticed thick white goo on the oil cap (but not on the oil dipstick), and heard a ticking sound after starting the engine, which went away after the engine warmed up. The dealer said the head gasket was leaking, and the repair cost $1,100. The engine had 53,000 miles at the time of the repair, which is well beyond the warranty, but this type of problem would have developed several thousand miles ago, before any symptoms were noticeable. It is very disappointing to have major engine work done with so few miles (also had to have serpentine belt replaced), especially when the alero's sales brochure brags about "long life fluids, including coolant, that will last up to 100,000 miles or more." when the dealer replaced the head gasket, they said that replacement part is the same as the original (gm had not made any design changes to the part), so this will most likely be a recurring problem for the life of the engine. Overall, Im happy with the cars design and performance, but its upsetting to have such high cost repairs on a car I plan to drive for several more years.

Filed Jun 11, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · OH

Rotors bad, brakes bad, wheels leak air, windows leak air in, windshied shakes, engine runs high temps and knocks, paint is starting to rust. Cd player is always shuting off. Dealer has not done a thing to help and my car is under warranty for a few more months. I need help soon.

Filed Jan 30, 2002 · Suspension · OH

While consumer was driving heard a loud ticking noise coming from steering wheel. Dealership is aware of problem. Please provide further information.

Filed Jun 20, 2001 · Engine · TN

Motor making knocking noise. Was spun rod bearings. New motor installed.

Filed Apr 23, 2001 · Transmission · VA

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