Tl*the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. It took him approximately 40 minutes to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they repaired the fuel pump. Immediately after the repair was made, the failure continued. He took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the failure was due to the ignition switch of the electrical system. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact has only owned the vehicle for seven weeks. The failure and current mileages were 74,000.
2002 Oldsmobile Alero electrical complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 133, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Passlock theft deterrent system keeps disabling vehicle. It is currently in the shop for the 4th time for this problem. The security light comes on, then the vehicle eventually will not start.
Rear defroster circuit failure. Fuse ok, relay ok, window imprint ok. Rear electrical defrost and antenna module fails. Rear visibility in cold climate completely blocked when rear. Window frosted. *tr many customers on the internet are complaining of the same problem and some have reported that the connector to the electrical module inside the rear-column on the passenger side is overheating and melting, breaking the electrical contact.
On 9/26/2007 my 2002 olds alero refused to start, I finally had to leave at at my job, it started the next day, I called the dealer (I had purchased it from drivetime) in nov 2006, they stated that I had to bring it to their approved mechanic, I took it there, their mechanic stated it was the fuel pump and it would cost 755.00. That included the drivers window which fell into the door for the second time, I called drivetime who then put me on a repair assistance program, I drove the car home, that same day the car would not start again, it is now january 2008 and I still do not have a working vehicle and am refusing to pay for it. The mechanic called me back and said that it is the computer and he cannot fix it I now have to have it towed to the nearest dealer who may or may not fix it free of charge. I think its a disgrace, that a company can make such a piece of junk have all these complaints on it and nothing is done. I for one am not going to pay one more cent, the dealer could keep the car, and do with it whatever he wants, I realize this is a reposession but I am not a rich person and it is obvious that problems will only get worse with this vehicle, I think there should be a class action suit against gm, olds, drivetime for selling the lemon knowing all the problems these vehicles have.
When the vehicle is worked on by a mechanic, such as replacement of the fuel filter, it disrupts some component in the car and makes the passlock security system think that the car is being stolen. This shuts the car down and doesn't allow it to be started again. This could be deadly if traveling at high speeds or in heavy traffic.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero. The contact stated that she was unable to restart the vehicle after it was parked. The dealer stated that the ignition and the fuel pump caused the failure and they made the replacement. Approximately a year and a half later, the failure recurred. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The dealer stated that there was a malfunction with the security system and was unable to duplicate the failure. However, the dealer replaced the electrical harness. The contact also stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and then shut off. The dealer stated that the timing chain failed and made the repair. The failure mileage was 22,000 and current mileage was 58,000.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero with a current and failure mileage of 181,000 miles. While driving at 35 MPH began decelerating and the vehicle lost power with no warning in the middle of the road. The weather was sunny and 75 degrees. She was able to restart the vehicle after 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed her that the vehicle was part of recall 07e021000 for fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices. The recalled failure could result in a fire, but the contact had not experienced the recall failure to date. She spoke with delphi, gm and oldsmobile dealers, and none of the dealers were willing to complete the recall work free of charge. *ak the consumer stated the dealership is asking for additional monies besides the $417.21 that was already paid. The consumer stated the vehicle is still in the dealerships possession and she wants the vehicle returned with the problem fixed. The consumer stated that on 06/07/07 the dealership informed her to pick up the vehicle that it was ready when consumer came to pick up vehicle the manager informed her he does not feel safe returning the car to her and the dealership is requesting an additional $262.00 for an ignition switch. Updated 06/25/07
While driving down the road, the car shut off, I was unable to get the car restarted and was almost rear ended by another vehicle. I was told that the passlock engaged while the car was in operation thereby telling the computer that the car had been "stolen" and to shut off the fuel pump. I have since learned that this "passlock" failure in gm vehicles is a very common complaint and only the "dealership" is able to repair it. The approx cost is $900.00 in which the dealership will replace the ignition and bcm module with another defective part. Other individuals with the same problem have broken down at night in unsafe locations, on the highway, etc and although general motors has received several complaint's they have failed to issue a recall.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 oldsmobile alero gl. The contact stated that the there was a a sensor cylinder failure in the ignition that was effected by the theft system on the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer said that the vehicle's computer believed itas being stolen, and kills the engine, this happened on 4 different occasions.
Tl* -the contact stated that he purchased a 2002 oldsmobile alero and the horn would sound at anytime. The contact stated that he had to take the fuse out of the horn to keep it from sounding. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and was told that the vehicle had a defective horn pad and that the steering column and airbag would also need to be replaced if the horn pad is replaced. The vehicle had approximately 70,000 miles at the time of the failure. *jb the horn has been replaced. Updated 02/22/07.
Intermittent turn signals dash and tail lights go out when auto lights try to turn on.
The security light started coming on in my car in 2004. My car is a 2002. I brought my car to a gm dealership and they said that they couldn't find anything wrong, so I did not pay attention to the light until one day my car refused to start. As I had just replaced the battery and the lights/radio worked, my husband asked around and a few people who have owned oldsmobile vehicles stated that if you leave the car in the "on" position for 10-12 minutes that it will reset the security light and the car will start. It worked and I brought my car to a second gm dealership and they quoted a diagnostic run to determine what is causing my car not to start, but they too did not know what was causing it. The most recent occurrence was in october 2006, but instead of resetting for a few months, like before, the car refused to start the very next time I tried to start it. I did research online and found that there are several models (1999-2002, at least) that have the same problem. I contacted gm to notify them of this occurrence and the fact that it was not only occurring to my car. I have not heard back... Yet? I no longer have confidence that my car is reliable. For the time being, I use the method, but now that I am pregnant and winter is fast approaching (I live in minnesota), I no longer find this solution acceptable. I do not want to jeopardize my child's life by having to remain in negative degree weather for ten minutes in order for the car to "reset itself," so I am currently researching alternative cars to purchase.
Horn does not work when the weather is warm/hot. Does seem to work sometimes when the weather is cold. This has caused 3 very serious close calls. The horn is a safety precaution and without it my self and my family are in serious danger of an accident.
The security warning light was coming on intermittently and would stay on for 1-4 minutes then go off. This started in march 2006. Then one day the car would not start. Called aaa - mechanic fixed by leaving key turned on for about 10 minutes - then car started. This "problem" of not starting started occurring more frequently and so had a mechanic check into it. He immediately told me, once I presented the problem the car was having, that the ignition switch in these cars were notorious for going bad and needed to be replaced. So, I had it replaced. Now, it's july 2006 and the security warning light is coming on again. So - now what?!
Blinkers fail especially during humid weather. It began during the summer. Blinkers sometimes work, but then will fail. The problem has not been corrected yet. There is a recall out for the 2001 oldsmobile alero, but not for the 2002 even though it is the same problem.
There are several defects with this vehicle. The first started in 2004. The windshield wipers do not work, will not shut off, or start again while in the off position and stop in the middle of the windshield. This creates a hazard while driving, especially at high speeds on the highway - startles you, then blocks vision. Next, the security feature is malfunctioning. Sometimes the vehicle will not start, security light flashes and problem is fixed with leaving the car in the on position for 10 to 20 minutes (resets the security). This drains the battery and is a major inconvenience. Also, the turn signals have now begun to work only intermittently. This is dangerous obviously. The window controls sometimes don't work, the side-mirror controls also do not work sometimes. The heat/AC controls do not work properly - most of the positions do not blow. You can hear the muffled sound of the air when on high, but air does not come out of the vents. These are the combination settings, the individual settings work, so it cannot be clogged vents. Lastly, the rear defrost recently stopped working and, when turned on, emits a burning smell. This car is an accident waiting to happen and driven daily out of necessity.
Car will not start.
Dt: the contact complained about a turn signal problem. The turn signal did not work when turning it on. When applying the hazard light switch the turn signal came on. Then, it failed intermittently. There was a recall 03v327000 on other year models, but this model was not included. Dealer said they will not offer help, it should be fixed at contact's expense. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.*ak updated 11/16/2005 - the problem is frequent but not constant. The turn signals do not work. When the hazard button is partially pressed the signal starts working. The vehicle has had other electrical problem in the dashboard area but doesn't seem to be related to the turn signal problem. The consumer does not understand why the 2001 models have been recalled but the 2000 has not even though they have the same problem.
For a couple of days I've had trouble turning the key to turn on the vehicle. Two days ago I put the key in the ignition and it wouldn't budge. I cannot get the key to turn the slightest bit. I bought a new ignition switch in hopes that this will solve the problem.
Timing chain broke at 60k miles. Destroyed valves. Also ignition switch broke at 45k miles.
I started having problems in feb. Of this year(2005). The car would not start. Towed it to a dealer and they replaced the ignition cylinder. 3 days later was having the same problem. Took it back to the dealer and they then replaced the housing. Begining of june had the same problem occure agian. Towed it back to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it. Of course it started at the dealer. 2 weeks later and it still will not start agian. The security light was comming on before it stoped running. This is a problem that many people are having and it needs to be fixed. If you go to www.automotivehelper.com and go under alero, you will find lots of complaints.
Dt: consumer states that if the fuse is in the vehicle the windshield wipers constantly run. When he first bought the vehicle dealer claimed he fix it. The signals on the vehicle seem to be going too fast, and it smells like the wires are burning.
On may 26th, 2005 I started my 2002 oldsmobile alero and turned on my rear defroster. After about 3 minutes of driving down the road there was an "explosion" in the rear of my car. The rear defroster heating mechanism that hooks up to the rear window exploded and caught fire to the entire rear of my car. The vehicle was not able to be repaired due to the cost, my insurance company totaled my car. My car has never been in an accident and no major work has ever been performed. Gm will not get involved due to the fact that luckily no one was injured.
My turn singals do not work properly. The singnals work only part of the time. When the turn signials do not operate the hazord lights dont work as well. I found out it will cost aprox. $200.00 to fix the problem. They will need to replace the turn signal switch that cost 130.00 and 70.00 for labor. This is a hazord that I will need to have fixed. There are some dangerous intersections where I live. It is also againts the law not to singal which way you are turning. The problem started in march. It had taken it in several times but they could not find the problem until it was more freqqent and they could reproduce it. I finally found out on may 19, 2005 it is the switch.
Out of the blue the turn signals stop working. Almost causing an accident. Took my car to the dealership they gave it back to me , and said that they found nothing wrong with it. Until this day I still have this problem, is there anything I can do to solve this problem?
I have been having this problem for the past 7 months. I have changed out the battery, that didn't solve the problem. I have taken it countless time to the dealership, and they couldn't find out the problem. I have called the plant where the car came from and they referred me to a car service that specializes in oldsmobiles. They thought it was the fuel pump, and they fixed it. They also said that it could be something electrical, however they won't know until the car tears all the way up. This is what is wrong with my car. It sounds like it wants to start, however, it takes three tries before the car finally starts. Sometimes, it sounds like the car will not even start. I have also had occassions where the car has cut off as I am pulling off from a stop sign or pulling out of a parking spot. The car is only 2 years old and only have 49,900 miles on it. It no one knows what is wrong with the car or the severity of it, how do I know whether the car will breakdown to a point where it will cause a fatal accident. I believe the car needs to be recalled.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for regular maintenance and dealer determined that vehicle needed the following replacements: a new ignition lock cylinder, intake manifold, multi function switch, and an engine oil flush. Consumer stated that when she put key in the ignition it would not turn, but did not know that vehicle would need a new switch. Also, there was ticking noise when she tried to start the vehicle.
The consumer had problems with the ignition. The consumer had a difficult time turning the vehicle on and off. The consumer stated the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The intake manifold was replaced. The consumer was informed that coolant was leaking into the oil. Provide further details.
When my 2002 alero turned 37,500 the fuse to the tail and dash lights blew leaving me driving after dark with no tail and dash lights. *ak so far the mechanics have not been able to trace down the short in the electrical system in order to fix the problem. They keep putting in new fuses and they just keep blowing. They have ordered a switch, and it is to go back into the shop again to have the switch replaced again, and to try once more to track down the electrical short that is causing the fuse to blow that takes out the tail and dash lights. I can't drive this 2002 alero after dark even if I have just put in a new fuse because it will just blow again. If it doesn't blow while I am driving it, it will just be blown the next time I start it. It makes driving this 2002 alero very unsafe to drive, especially after dark.
I made a long vacation trip in oct. Of 2002 at which time my 2002 oldsmobile alero turned over 36,000 miles. By the time I arrived home, it had turned 37,000. I didn't drive the car for a few days upon my return. When I opened the door to drive it next, I saw that the dash and three of the door pads had come unglued and buckled really badly. I took it back to dan cummins in paris, ky as soon as I discovered that the interior was falling apart. The service manager refused to even look at the car since it had gone over the 36,000 mile warranty during my vacation before I returned home. He suggested I call gm and complain to them about it. I did call them and they took my complaint. They gave me an complaint number, but have since refused to answer their phone when I call, or to call me back after I leave them a voice mail on their machine. I have created a website at http://www.alero.info in order for interested persons to be able to view the pictures of the poor factory workmanship and materials used to build my 2002 alero. The pictures say it all as to what my complaint is about with the dash and door pads coming unglued and buckling. At 37,500 miles while it is still only two years old, it has developed an electrical problem that could potentially dangerous as something is causing the fuse to the tail and interior lights to blow while driving it at night.
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