2001 Oldsmobile Alero: engine overheating

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Engine · TX

Engine:engine cooling coolant leaks when car is idle.

Filed Mar 13, 2008 · Visibility · 105,000 miles · KY

2001 oldsmobile alero, approx 105,000 miles. Around the middle of january I went outside to warm up my car before work and noticed the heater blower wasn't working. Have already had this replaced so thought I knew what the problem was. Also noticed an electrical smell in the car, as if an electrical motor was hot, so assumed the blower motor overheated and went out. Later that day checked the fuse for the blower motor- it was bad, I changed it and the heater worked. However, still noticed the electrical smell and finally associated it with the rear defogger. Around march 07 the defogger quit working. Noticed today on my car stats that a complaint was filed in february with a fail date of 01/17/08 where the rear defogger failed and the car actually caught fire. My car did not catch fire, but it is the same year and approximate mileage as the one that did. I'm sure these aren't the only two. Please be aware of this problem and if you notice an electrical smell, get it checked out.

Filed Jun 24, 2006 · Engine · 64,400 miles · FL

4/18/05: lower intake leaking badly, replaced lower intake gaskets & cleaned all parts under warranty. Coolant in oil. 6/24/06: advised that coolant leaking into oil again. Advised of need to replace upper intake and valve cover gaskets.

Filed Jun 15, 2006 · Engine · 45,167 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated coolant is leaking out at the intake manifold gasket causing the engine to overheat. The dealership determined the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The manufacturer has been alerted.

Filed Apr 11, 2005 · Engine · 46,000 miles · FL

Defective intake manifold gasket discovered on 4/8/05. Coolant leak to the outside of vehicle.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Engine, Steering · NY

2001 oldsmobile alero intake manifold problem. *bf the consumer had discovered a coolant leak. The consumer stated gm issued an improved gasket to avoid future problems with the engine. The consumer believed it gm was aware of the problem why did the expense have to fall on the consumer. The power steering was replaced.

Filed May 17, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · FL

The technician informed the consumer about a recall on the vehicle, but the consumer never received a notice from the manufacturer. *la the vehicle would not start right away. There would be several tries but the vehicle would never "crank over." the engine vibrated when the A/C was used,the fuel gauge was inoperative, the front windows would not roll down, the rear handles felt like they were sticking, there was a burnt oil smell, and after several times of starting the vehicle it would run rough. The master switch, A/C compressor, crank sensor, fuel pump, fuel tank, hazard switch, and the window regulator were replaced. The mechanics repositioned a wire harness from the crank sensor and replaced the pressure control solenoid. The turn signals stopped working in traffic in which there was almost an accident. The antenna was replaced because the radio signal would go out every time the rear defroster was used (this did not solve the problem). The back window had to be completely replaced to solve the antenna problem. The water pump was replaced because the seal for the coolant leaked. *sc

Filed Dec 12, 2003 · Engine · 41,000 miles · NH

Failure of intake manifold resulted in coolant leaking into the engine after only 40,000 miles, I am finding this is a common problem often resulting in engine failure.

Filed Jun 4, 2003 · Brakes · OH

The brakes on the olds alero have a design flaw in the brakes. The rotors tend to overheat under normal driving use. It wears the pads down faster than they should, warps the rotors so that they have to be turned every single time you replace the pads... And I do mean have to be. The rotors will quickly lose thickness, and the thinner they are after each turn the quicker they will warp under normal use. Contacting general motors has accomplished nothing... Despite the fact that under the 2000 model they had a technical service bulletin (front disc brake pulsation (new rotor run-out specification and correction method) #00-05-23-002a) issued for the car. To my knowledge general motors hasn't altered the design of the car since it's inception with exception of cosmetic changes. They refuse to admit there's a design flaw in the brakes that forces the consumer to either pay outrageous prices each and every time they need brake pads... Or discard the manufacturers warranty and purchase aftermarket brake solutions to eliminate the issue entirely.