My Alero is a certified LEMON!

YOU MIGHT BE DRIVING A LEMON TOO!
This is my first time to the board, and all of the threads sound so familiar. Everyone I know with an alreo has problems with it.
It all started when I ran out of gas (the gas gauge was stuck on a half tank). Then after I got that fixed, a whole other can of worms.
Next my throttle senser was off. I would use cruise control and it would pass what I had set it at. I was having to brake constantly on the freeway. So i got that fixed.
Then it was the security light that came on when I tried to start the car. It wouldn't turn over when I tried to start it. I had it towed, but then it started right up at the garage of course. When it happened again, I called the OLDS # in the manual and the lady asked if that security light was on. You have to keep the key in the ignition in the position and wait for the light to go out, sometimes 15 minutes. And then it starts right up. So I had that looked at. It was determined to be the ignition switch, some part # that started with a "J."
SO then every once in awhile that security light problem would make me 15 miuntes late for wherever I needed to be. Still under warranty, i took it back and had it fixed again. that ignition switch.
Then the dashboard lights. Wow, that was around Christmas time, where the dash lights would go out while driving and then blink back on and the go out and blink back on, kinda like my christmas tree. and sometimes it even dinged and dinged like i just got in the car. the solution to this was to pull over, turn it off and start it up again. so when i took that in, they replaced, again, that ignition switch.
Of course, the blinkers went out on me too, after my warranty expired. i paid $80 bucks to get the hazard switch replaced. but after an olds recall, i got reimbursed for that.

after hearing a lemon law commercial on the radio, i called the number and they said i was a perfect candidate. my car had had the same part replaced three times, that "J" ignition switch, while under warranty. perfect. they got my VIN # and accessed all my paperwork and before i knew it, i had a fat check in my hand, about a third what i paid for the car.

the only problem, i didn't replace my vehicle. since those problems are only an every once in awhile thing, i'm still hanging on. that security light is what brought me to this board in the first place. i thought maybe i'd find a simpler, faster solution to trick the car into starting sooner.

if you are still under warranty, get EVERYTHING fixed. I even had them fix my power seat which wouldnt go up and down anymore. the more problems you have, the better candidate you are for lemon law. Give it a shot, for me, it was free money.

Glad I found this site. SOOOOOOO many threads to read that sound awfully familiar.

Eh...the only problem I've had with mine is the "blower motor" problem

Wow--good for you. I no longer have my Alero--it's lemon-ness resulted in the car being hit and totaled because had this habit of stalling while driving down the road.

I had my old alero(2003) for a little less than a year and had it in for major repairs 18 times. I had it towed from where i worked to my dealership 3 of those 18 times. The major problem was that the car simply would not start. The dealership would then replace a fuse somewhere and it would work about another 3-4 weeks and then the same issue would come up again. To make a long story short; on the 18th time the speedometer, radio, and temp gauges didnt work. My brother opened the fuse box and water poured out. The dealership finally figured out(after my brother called them and told them none the less) that the windshield was leaking. It had been shorting out various things all along. Well, to my luck the windshield is not covered under the warranty. To bad that I am such a witch, cuz um i never paid for the repair and they had no choice but to trade me a car. Anyways, after having this issue I have found that this windshiled leak is a common issue on Aleros, Grand Am's and also Grand Prixs. I hope this is useful to anyone that is having strange issues with their Alero.....

pssst they traded my lemon in for another Alero(2004) and i have noy had 1 issue with this Alero.

The only problem my alero (00' GX) has ever given me was the first day i bought it the blower motor went out, how nice! but they fixxed it right away for free. Other then that the alero has been the best running car i've ever had.

Guys are very lucky to have no problems.... I bought mine brand spanking new in Jan. '02.. 2 door V-6... My list goes like this.....


Replaced hub assembly and something else on both front tires, they made this grinding noise and no it wasn't the brakes or rotors...

A/C went out had it fixed and is out again, I live in Houston so I'm soakin wet when I drive...

Cat had to be replaced not once but twice...

O2 sensors along with MAF..

Dome light fell out along with the rearview mirror...

Driver side window doesn't go all the way up.. You could stick a pencil through the opening so I have to get my hand and push up on the window to keep bugs, rain out.....

Driver power seat that makes it go up and down still comes on but doesn't do anything, just vibrates the seat...

Fan only works at the last 3 setting, I know it can be fixed easily but since I have no air it's pointless...

My left and right to adjust my side mirrors doesn't work

Replaced fuel pump

Windsheild washer fluid leaks, gets empty in about a day.......

Temp guage sometimes doesn't move from cold even though I've been driving for 20 mins or longer....

And to top all this off I have to add water to the radiator every couple of days, oil sludge in coolant.. Either a head gasket or intake gasket leak...


Just a month ago I now get the Anti-Lock light only when I put the car in gear


I'd say this is the last time I buy anything made by GM or Oldsmobile...

Get about 250miles to a full tank that holds 14 gallons....

It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't my first new and got raped on the fianance charges... This just adds fuel to the fire.. And yes I know I signed the papers and didn't have to but my other car was crapped and I had to geta car fast for work.. I have about 2 yrs left at 410 dollars a month for 6yrs, you do the math...... I could've gotten a 350z or BMW if I was old......