Rear Window Defogger Problems of Oldsmobile Alero

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.

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The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. While the vehicle was warming up, it caught fire. The rear seat was damaged and the rear window was destroyed. There was also smoke damage. A fire report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The module that controls the rear window defogger, located underneath the back panel by the rear window, becomes very hot and melts. It melted the connection and the box that contains the module. As a result, the defogger does not work. The vehicle has not been to a dealer or repair shop. The contact has found several complaints for this failure and believes a recall should be issued. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 72,000 and current mileage was 80,000.

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. 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.

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Vehicle cruise control nor rear defrost works. The front dashboard cover is shrinking and peeling back off of dash and is almost completely off of airbag area and this is seen in almost every Alero but not other gm models.

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Rear defroster, steering, brakes (3x's), engine, radiator, belt, security systerm, tape deck, power windows.

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Consumer stated the defogger lines exploded. As a result, a small fire erupted. No injuries reported. . . . Consumer didn't call fire department or report it to police department.

I own a 1999 olds Alero. The rear window defroster stopped working. I checked and found that the plug going into the rear defogger/radio module was melted. I believe this could have caused a fire. I checked with my local dealer and they were not aware of any problems with this vehicle. I asked if they had a replacement part so that I could repair this and they said none were available. I went to my local scrap yard and was able to get a replacement end from a wrecked Alero. This was only after finding melted plugs in two other ones they had. A recall should be issued immediately due the danger of a fire with this vehicle. - 3/17/04- consumer called with the correct VIN#. Complaint has been updated.

The technician informed the consumer about a recall on the vehicle, but the consumer never received a notice from the manufacturer. 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.

All four of my window regulators have failed within a period of 2 months, I have replaced 3 of the four, the left rear door still has not been replaced do to the cost of parts for this car, in adition, I have had to replace the front calipers, brake pads and rotors on this vehicle 2 times within a period of 1 year, just before the last time I replaced them, my rear calipers went out, they will engage, but will stay locked, only releasing after I drive for about 20 feet or so, I have also experienced problems with the security system activating itself and not allowing me to start the car for at least 10 minutes ( the time it takes the system to recycle itself). In adddition, my door pannels coverings are all coming separated accross the top of of them, again do to the cost, I have failed to replace them. Unfortunatly this happened before I knew that so many people where having problems with the Oldsmobile Aleros, so I did not retain the old parts.

Car doesn't always start when I turn the key in the ignition. Takes a few seconds to turn over. Driver side mirror shakes. The numbers on the radio buttons have rubbed off. Rear defrost doesn't always work. Rotors are always wearing out. Used to hear a clunking noise every time I turned the steering wheel - had the steering rack replaced. Interior dome light falls off.