2001 Oldsmobile Alero: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Brakes · 18,000 miles · IN

Excessive front brake wear. Front wheel bearings. I purchase (2) 2001 oldsmobile aleros and within the first 24,000 miles there stated to be brake problems. It sounded as if the front wheels were always grinding. Cars were taken in to dealership and we were told there was nothing wrong. My wife and I drive completely different but identical problem occurred in each vehicle. We've had to replace rotors and brake pads every 12,000 - 18,000 miles. Finally when I took the vehicle into a non- dealer, to get the cruise control, traction control repaired, they replaced the front bearings and repaired the other problems. Since then, no more grinding noise and the brakes don't seem to be wearing out as rapidly. Both vehicles had the v-6 option, so I don't know if the problem was related to that or not.

Filed Apr 18, 2007 · Brakes · 101,786 miles · PA

I got car on 2/28/07 new brakes rotors and tires were put on car. Now I have a loud squeal and grinding in the steering wheel, and brake pedal an the warning signal says service vehicle soon traction off and antilock brake. I took it to get checked, but the mechanic can't find the problem.

Filed Feb 12, 2007 · Body, Brakes · 73,000 miles · PA

Service vehicle soon, trac off light, and ABS light took to dealer, out of warranty, private repair shop, cost-$500, grinding noise before lights turned on, dinging,lights went on, it was sensor in left front wheel bearing. Also have replaced front rotors, alternator at 65,000 miles. Key fob doesn''t lock drivers door. Hood on car replaced in 2006 under warranty because of blistering 2002-water leak onto drivers floor, 5 times to dealer, replaced side door gasket, problem had to be solved by replacing windshield gasket. I'm afraid of all these complaints about turn signal failure and hazard light failure and the car just quitting. Trading in this piece of **** as soon as paid off.

Filed Feb 23, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 66,900 miles · NY

On wednesday, feb 8, 2006 three lights came on in my car at the same time. They are 'service vehicle soon, trac off, & anti-lock'. These lights have continued coming on since. Week before these lights had came on. I had new hub bearings put on my car. Then once this was done about 3-4 days later these lights came. I have taken two 3 garages to have this looked at and they which they have put a computer hooked up to my car to check for any codes while the lights were on. There were no codes showing for my car. Yesterday, tuesday, feb 14, 2006, I was coming to a stop at a stop sign when I heard a grinding noise which I was pressing the brake in and was able to stop with two pumps to the barkes.came to a stop. . If there were to be someone ahead of me I would have rear-ended this person or maybe even rolled right into oncoming traffic in the intersection. As I surf this web sit I find they same problems other people had or having the same similar problems with their gm vehicles recently. I was given an 800 number to check for recalls I just called and there was no recall of this sort listed for this vehicle. This is definitely a safety issue that needs to be addressed. It seems off that know five people, including myself, in the same place of work have the same problems with their gm vehicle and only one was covered. This is an expensive item to be replaced and since it is a safety concern for all involved, this problem should be covered under a recall and not out of our pocket. *ca

Filed Aug 6, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 70,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jun 4, 2005 · Brakes · OH

Braking system malfuction. Extremley loud low toned grinding noise upon braking occurs at quick stops and when traveling above 30 mphr. Brakes were inspected nothing to be foiund wrong. 3 indictors lights light intermitiniatly while driving. Repair shop reset on 3 different occations, inspected brkes nd system nothing to be found wrong. Due to continued issues with indicator lights and noise I have had brakes and system rechecked and replaced 3 different times in the past 1.5 years. Currently stil having same issues with noise, lights and grinding.

Filed May 26, 2005 · Brakes · 42,000 miles · ME

I have owned this 01 alero for 7 months now and have had problems since day one. I first had to replaced the front brakes, calipers & pads & rotors. Then my ABS speed sensor went so I had to replace that too. Now whenever I hit the brakes they grind and sometimes fail to work. For a 01 this car has given me way too many problems. Sometimes I am scared to drive it in bumper to bumper traffic with the fear of the brakes not working!

Filed May 4, 2005 · Brakes · 8,000 miles · PA

Conatct states: since purchase the car experienced rotor erosion, wear, and ultimately deterioration. Grinding noise when ever brake pressure is applied. Rotors have been repaired twice, dealer resurfaced the rotors. Recently had car inspected, and was discovered that the brake pads were broken due to debris and wear of the rotors.

Filed Mar 15, 2005 · Brakes · ME

While driving 70 MPH the consumer's 2001 oldsmobile alero began to vibrate uncontrollably. *nm the vehicle began to make a grinding noise. The consumer pulled over shut the vehicle off for about 10 minutes and when she restarted the vehicle the trac and ABS lights illuminated. The dealer had done repairs prior to the incident. When the consumer took the vehicle to dealer she was told the speed sensor was bad and the entire hub bearing assembly would have to be replaced in order to fix the part.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Lights · PA

This car is the worst car I have ever owned. Turn signals worked intermittently. Taken to dealer and garage who could not find anything wrong. Researched the problem on my own and found that there were many complaints regarding this problem. Obtained information to correctly repair. Turn signals were repaired in 2003. It took until march, 2004 to receive a recall notice regarding this problem. Since repair of my turn signals, my fan does not work on the one or two marking. My low tire pressure light comes on at random even though the tire pressure is adequate. Brakes and rotors repaired every year. My car is difficult to start on many occasions and fails to start on the first try. Wheel bearings and sensors had to be replaced in both of my front tires. At times, when I turn the ignition off, you can hear a low grinding noise. Air comes in on the driver door where the electrical switches are located to operate the window. I have never had to deal with so many problems. What can be done to take care of the customers and to correct these problems? Gas mileage is terrible. Our van gets better gas mileage than this vehicle.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Engine · 17,800 miles · NY

Since my purchase of this vehicle in october of 2003, I have been disabled numerous times. Engine just quits. Low trac light comes on and engine shuts down. Vehicle has been to dealership number of times and they say nothing is wrong. I do plenty of thruway driving and now coasting off to the sides. Also brakes grind when it is wet outside.

Filed Dec 20, 2003 · Brakes · 54,000 miles · IL

This car has made a terrible grinding noise for over 2 years. The pads and rotors were replaced at 24000 miles within a few month's the ABS and traction control failed completely. Work was done on the car replacing all of the electronic parts and sensors but the ABS and traction are out again. Gm response is they will "fix" the problem even though they have yet to get it done after repeated attempts.