general problems of the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero

The dash had begun pulling away and coming unglued about 2 years ago. I found that this is a problem with this model year. When I spoke with the dealer they said it was not part of a recall. But they would split the cost with me -my end would be $650. I could not afford it and it has continued to rumple and bubble up. I am the only owner. It is a defect that no one wants to address. Especially, since my warranty will be up with in a month or two. I just got tired of fighting with the dealer to do something. I have given up and will not be purchasing a gm car again. Thanks for nothing -my loyalty is going somewhere else.

In September 2004 I purchased a used 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. By November my Alero's interior door panels started to bubble and buckle on 3 doors. My vehicle is still under the bumper to bumper gm factory warranty. I brought my car to brown (dealership) in saco, maine and was told to call gm to see if I could get the work approved. They denied the work and said they didn't cover "cosmetic problems". I then filed a complaint with the better business bureau. Someone from gm who handles the bbb cases called and said once again there was nothing they could do for me. This time the said the problem was caused by the previous owner. Before my case went to arbitration gm requested the bbb to send out a technical expert to look at the car. His conclusion was inadequate adhesive. Not long after the report came out and before arbitration, gm called and informed me that they will fix my Alero. They told me I must go to brown in saco, maine where kevin brady (service manager) said he still refuses to fix the car. I called gm back and they said to find a dealership that will do the work. This problem seems to plague thousands of Alero owners from what I have seen on the internet. This is a factory defect that gm must own up to!!!.

I took a long road trip vacation this past summer. The 2002 Alero turned over 36,000 miles before I got home. I didn' t drive the car for a few days upon my return. When I opened the door a few days later, the glue had come unglued from the leather on the dash and three of the door pads under the windows and the leather was buckled very badly. . Read more...

I have had my 2002 Oldsmobile Alero since 2002. Within six months of having this car the ignition switch went bad and was unable to start the car and it had to be repaired. This was repaired by the dealer that I purchased it from because the company that was in charge of my extended warranty went bankrupt. Since then I have had to pay to replace a gasket in the engine that keeps engine coolant and engine oil from mixing together because the gasket that was manufactured with the car was not the right thickness. (since this is a known defect by mechanics why wasn't this recalled or a service bulletin initiated?) I continue to have problems with the driver door control panel that controls the windows and the side mirrors and window locks. The windows in my car can only be controlled by the driver because the window lock is stuck in the "on" position. I have also had problems with the windows falling down into the door and have had one window replaced in December 2007 but now in September 2008 the passenger window is experiencing the same symptoms and now will have to replace this window as well. Right now the most annoying thing about this car is the turn signals. They function as they should but the clicking noise for the turn signal will not turn off when I have made a turn (it actually makes a clicking noise about 3 times as fast as the regular turn click). I have had this looked at by a mechanic and I was told that this was not part of the hazard light recall which my car falls under so it was not fixed. It is a very distracting problem and the only time I can get relief from the clicking noise is when I actually get ready to make a turn by turning on the actual turn signal. There are a number of problems that numerous owners are experiencing. I am hoping that some thing is done about the windows and the engine gasket. I don't think consumers should be responsible for poor engineering and design. Gm should make things right.

Leather on front dashboard and back passenger door is detaching from surface and bubbling. It is rather severe on the front dash. Cigarette lighter (one near front passenger foot) was poorly installed. It pops out all of the time. Front end makes loud scratching noise when moving slowly or breaking and turning. Drivers side window stopped working today. It went out without warning. Trunk smells like there has been a problem with water leaks. I've found interior trunk to be damp on occasion. Occasional water leaks on front passenger side (at feet). Appears to be condensation of some sort. Back cup holder pops out of place. Because of the defect, drink spills resulted in stained carpeting.