Alero owners beware

[patricia40]

My tale of woe. 2000 V6 Alero visits garage with Service Engine Soon, ABS, and Track off lights on. End result, new wheel bearing and harness, both strut bearing. right side outer tie rod, front control arm bushing,all lower intake gaskets needed replacing. Which also means a system flush, new plugs new ignition wire, 4 wheel alignment, fuel filter, pcv valve....cost of admission to my local GM dealer, $3900 (canadian) And they didn't even wash my car.
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[alphalanos]

wow. Im pretty sure that could all be done, DIY, for around $1,000 USD or even less.

[patricia40]

The wheel bearing alone runs around $600 up here, and replacing all the LI gaskets would be a HUGE diy job. Try to do as much as I can, but this was beyond me. this is also the seconf time I have replaced wheel bearings. Since I have owned this car (bought new in '00) I have replaced driver side windows twice, motor for window, the control for the fan speed twice, brakes need done twice a year, rear defogger relay in a hidden spot only top GM executives no where to find, and my cruise control stopped working 2 years ago, a little electrical demon I don't care to hunt for. I have emailed and phoned GM numerous times and they tell me they haven't had any other complaints for the same problems. I am going to send them the link fro this forum. Next car I will be turning japanese.
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[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by patricia40

The wheel bearing alone runs around $600 up here, and replacing all the LI gaskets would be a HUGE diy job. Try to do as much as I can, but this was beyond me. this is also the seconf time I have replaced wheel bearings. Since I have owned this car (bought new in '00) I have replaced driver side windows twice, motor for window, the control for the fan speed twice, brakes need done twice a year, rear defogger relay in a hidden spot only top GM executives no where to find, and my cruise control stopped working 2 years ago, a little electrical demon I don't care to hunt for. I have emailed and phoned GM numerous times and they tell me they haven't had any other complaints for the same problems. I am going to send them the link fro this forum. Next car I will be turning japanese.
T

Sorry to hear you had so many problems with your Alero. But what you are getting charged up North is outrageous. A '00 model doesn't have that much resale value as it is let alone later year models.

We have a '02 Alero GL2 and it has been problem free since the bumper to bumper warranty expired. However, under warranty the dealer had to replace the battery, power steering pump, rack & pinion unit and flasher.

A lot of us save money by doing it DIY but it sounds like you are not in that situation. Good luck and hope it hangs in there.

BTW - I forgot - Intake manifold gaskets under warranty too.

[patricia40]

Thanks i try do do as much diy as possible its more in issue of the facilities to do them in. My Dad was a GM mechanic for 30 years so I do have coaching handy also. I know from my build sheet the car was built in Mexico on a Monday, ???

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by patricia40

Thanks i try do do as much diy as possible its more in issue of the facilities to do them in. My Dad was a GM mechanic for 30 years so I do have coaching handy also. I know from my build sheet the car was built in Mexico on a Monday, ???

In Mexico???? No wonder. I didn't know GM had a plant in Mexico for Aleros. Maybe that explains why certain year models have more problems. I know a lot of the wiring harnesses and electrical components are made in Mexico by Delphi.

Ours was made/assembled in Lansing, Michigan.

I had a friend check out the VIN number for manufacturing plant.

[patricia40]

I didn't know that either, I thought all Aleros were built in Lansing, unless I have been misinformed and that wouldn't be the first time either.
Have a nice day

[PotIsYourFriend]

LOL, is there a site to check? Maybe mine was Made in Mexico..

[maxwedge]

First digit of the vin, 1 or 4 is USA, 3 is mexico, 2 is Canada.

[PotIsYourFriend]

America

[BNaylor]

I hate to say this but if the Alero was made in Canada it would probably be more reliable.

[JTrujillo86]

Its true. The GM plant/s in Canada always get high quality marks.

- Jeremy

[patricia40]

You can google your VIN, and you will get an answer from Carfax. It will tell you the where the when the what fro free then ask you if you want to buy the history of the car. Just decline and carry on, you will at least know where.
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