While driving consumer turned on the heat and the defogger, and both failed to come on properly. Consumer smelled an odor coming from the vents. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold was leaking and needed to be replaced. *ak...
2001 Oldsmobile Alero engine complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 61 of 61, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have had to replace 4 engines 2.4l on my 2001 oldsmobile alero. My last engine lasted 32 days after I spent 1200$ and now I need to have work done to it again.
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
Problems with high engine idles and shifting through all the gears. *mr this would occasionally occur when the vehicle was started from a cold engine. The transmission was shifted into drive and without the consumers foot on the gas pedal, the vehicle shifted through all the gears. The engine displayed a loud rumble sound. When the consumers foot was taken off of the accelerator it shifted forward. A connector was replaced which appeared to be the problem. The symptoms later appeared. A broken wire was replaced in the harness connector. *sc
I have a 2001 oldsmobile alero gls. The car is less than 3 years old and has less than 40,000 miles on it. I noticed that the coolant light kept going on. I looked under the car initially and did not see any leakage. I added 50/50 dex-cool to the resevoir. All was well for about two weeks. Then the light came on again. This continued for the next month. I started noticing leakage. After reviewing where the leakage is coming from, I have determined that it is right abive where the thermostat where there is a bolt that attaches the intake manifold to the engine.
I have a 2001 alero and I am experiencing problems with my intake gasket leaking, and continual problems with my wheel hub bearing.
I purchased a used 2001 oldsmobile alero in december 2003 with 41,805 miles. After having the car for only two months I noticed a puddle of coolant under the car, I took it back to the dealer I purchased it from where I was told that it was leaking from the intake manifold and that my warranty would not cover it due to it being a gasket. I also was informed that my water pump was leaking. I learned through research that this is a very common problem with gm vehicles so I contacted gm and was told that I had to take it to a gm dealer to have it diagnosed (I purchased it from a honda dealer and gm wouldn't take their diagnosis) to see if gm would assist in the repair. I took the car to a gm dealer and they confirmed the problem was the leaking intake manifold gasket and was told that gm would not be of any assistance with the cost of the repair. I was also informed that I would owe the gm dealer $30 for the diagnostic test (which gm also declined to cover) to find the problem; I was never told up front that they would charge me for the test and basically the test was not required since I (and gm) already knew what the problem was and was told by them to take it to a gm dealer for consideration for assistance. I have read hundreds (if not thousands) of complaints against gm for the same problem and also internal service bulletins from gm indicating that they were well aware of the problem with the intake manifold gasket. This is a very costly repair (between $800 and $900 dollars) for only owning the car for two months.
A defect on a 2001 oldsmobile alero. No safety defect listed.
When in drive and stopped at a traffic light, the car almost stalls out. On two occasions the car completely stalled and did not start the first time. I took it into the dealership where I bought the car and they tried to sell me the 30,000 miles service pack. I refused to pay over 300 hundred dollars for that. They said they would check the car again and called me back to let me know that it looked like my fuel injectors were a little clogged. So I had the fuel injection cleaning done. Well the car still runs the same, almost stalling and it seems worse. I called the dealship and told them and they just gave mean answer,"bring it in". So my problem still is not resolved. I have also heard that there may be a recall on the catalyic converter.
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.
One month after purchasing the vehicle I had it back at the dealer for seatbelt not retracting properly. The buttons keep breaking off. Had the rear defroster replaced, the A/C had to be fixed, the brakes and rotors replaced, turn signal switch had to be replaced. The gas gauge currently is not working. There has been so many repairs on this vehicle I can't keep track any more. Continue to have a problem with the car shaking when I have been driving it for a while. Dealer acknowledges there is a problem but has no idea what is causing it. This car is my worst nightmare. I have been to the dealer so many times I lost count.
This complaint is in regards to problems my wife and I are having with our oldsmobile alero. We initially used the better business bureaus's autoline arbitration process and although the arbitrator said that the car qualified for the ohio lemon law, he thought that there may have been a misunderstanding between us and the dealer. What a joke. If you listen to the audio tape of the hearing it is obvious that general motors was aware of the problem. The following is part of the initial letter that was sent to the better business bureau since you have a restriction set on how much info can be supplied here. Please note that the car is paid for. Date: 08/18/2003 re: william g. Marsh 2001 oldsmobile alero odometer reading = 9198 possible violation of the ohio lemon law better business bureau (b.b.b.) arbitration our 2001 alero has been in for repeated repairs of shaking (like dieseling) and stalling problems when the air conditioning is being turned off, as it was designed. August (2002) of last year when we were on vacation in shipshewana, indiana, this problem became very severe. Along with an oil change light that came on (without reason) at 5,454 miles, bill reset this. The following day our low tire pressure light came on at 5,580 (without reason).
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.
My car would turn over, but wasn't getting any fuel to the engine. The service engine soon light came on and there had to be code stored in the computer, but the dealer couldn't find a problem with the engine. They also ran my battery down attempting to start the car the first time and first diagnosed it as a dead battery. Then the dealer "diagnosed" it as a problem with the oe alarm and that it needed resetting. Then three days after it was "repaired" it did the same thing and yet again it was towed to the same dealer and diagnosed and repaired the same way as the first time again. The problem I have is that if it ever failled to restart in an emergency or in dangerous place, that it could cause and injury/death and serious damage. If this problem just now happened twice within two weeks and I've had the car 2.5 years, then that should tell the dealer that there is a problem.
The consumer states that on three seperate occasions they have been left without a vehicle due to the engine throwing coolant out of the coolant resevoir, this results in an engine that was heaving and vibrating/knocking. The vehicle was losing most of its anti-freeze during the operation. On one occasion they found a leaky intake manifold gasket. Consumer states that when he'd take the vehicle to get repairs, the problem was never found or there was an impression that the vehicle was okay. Also, the consumer states that the cooling system is designed in a way that air bubbles cannot be bled out and would like his money back.
I've had numerous problems with this car from time of purchase. I have 9 pages that lists the defects of this. I would never recommend anyone buy this car. I didn't list the electrical problems I've had from rear lights not working, dome light fell off, blinker stopped working. Windows making a crackling noise when rolling up or down, and doors jamming for no reason. I didn't want problems with my vehicle that is why I purchased a new one, but I still have major defects! The issue with the engine taking a while to finally start, has never been fixed.
Fuel sending unit was not registering the proper amount of fuel, and vehicle cut off while driving on highway. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Vehicle will shut off at any speed/ at any time, and without any warning to consumer. Contacted dealer, and the dealer can not find cause of problem.
Vehicle stalls at any time/any speed. Vehicle has been taken to dealer numerous times, fuel tank assembly was replaced, it did not remedy the problem.*ak
Low tire pressure light has had to be reset 3 times, car handles bad on the road and now service engine soon light is on. (part ordered).
I bought the call on 7/31/01 and it broke down on me 8/6/01. The engine was repaired by yark and returned to me on 8/14/01, on 8/16/01 yarks called me and asked me to return my car that oldsmobile called them and said the valve springs were defective and that they suggest to change the rest of the valve springs in my new car. I dropped my car off on 8/17/01 and I just received a call that my car once again is ready for me to pick-up. I have talked the yarks general manager and the service director about how unhappy I am about my car. To me my car is not new any more, it's more of a used car since the engine had to be fixed. The car was built in a air conditioned building on an assembly line-that is a new car. My car was build in an assembly line but has been reworked (repaired) in a garage. I understand anything man made is not perfect, but I believe that we have to stand behind our work. My car only had 383 miles when a valve spring broke and caused major problems. I make my first car payment on my "new" car next week and I have only had it in my position for a total of 8-9 days. It's not going to feel like a new car anymore. I don't feel like I can depend on this car. I guess what I would like and I'm in the process of doing is trying to talk to a gm regional sales rep. About my problem and to see what we can do. Anyhow this is my report. Thanks for taking the time to review my situation. Sincerely, [xxx]. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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