what is going on with this car there seems to be alot of owners with the same problem - turning over and not starting and it seems to be the security system or passlock or ignition. some say the security light was flashing mine is not. I've had the camsensor replaced and the mechanic says he cannot do anything unless a code comes up on the scanner which it does not. How do I get my car to start? I called the Oldsmobile customer service who do not recognize any of these concerns and that 53 complaints are not a big concern to them.

Car would not start - had it towed to shop thinking it needed a fuel pump. Shop notified me that fuel pump is fine and the problem was the computer in the car. For some reason, the computer program was thinking it was being stolen and shut off fuel to the car. The shop reported to me that they new someone that could try to reprogram it, but the computer might need to be replaced!!!! I found this website through Google and found you can bypass the passlock system by turning your key to on and waiting about 10 minutes, then turn off and then the car would start. I called the shop and told them to try it which they did and it worked. I picked up my car and only a charge for towing (which I can claim on my insurance), and a diagnostic charge from the electronic place. THANK YOU carcomplaints.com for saving me alot of money - they were just about ready to put a new computer in my car!!! I know this is not a permanent fix, but I wouldn't even trust a new computer in this car! I bought this car brand new and I have had numerous problems with this car (water leaks, CD player, blinkers, brakes, rotors, windows, etc.)and most likely will not buy a GM product again. I had a Honda Accord salvaged car that had a better service record than this car!!! And, it doesn't help when the GM dealership doesn't stand behind their product for you. Don't even waste your time with GM surveys - told them many times (and for what?????)

Hello fellow 2001 Alero owners, I purchased my car in 2003 and the problems have not stopped. I have taken the car back to the dealership at least twice a year, 6 this year (2007) alone because it will not start, only for it to start for the mechanic (really embarrassing), I have had the fuel pump changed, along with the battery, I have taken it back to the person who has installed the alarm system only for them to tell me that their device will not effect the car manufacturing. Currently the mechanic is informing that the valves that pump the fuel into the engine are locked open and that they have been flooding gasoline into the engine now I need a new engine. Since this has happened so many times and from reading all the other complaints I'm not sure if the engine is even the problem. But I am willing to participate in a class action suit.

This is the worst car I have ever owned. I have endured many, many annoyances since I bought it new in 2001 -- 3 ignition switches, replaced the driver's side window motor, replaced the sensor on the right front tire, it loses antifreeze for an unknown reason, low tire pressure light randomly comes on for no valid reason, and on and on. Most recently I was returning from visiting family 700 miles away. I stopped for gas in a tiny town in Virginia and my car would not start again. After several hours and a tow truck drive 100 miles north to Roanoke, VA, it was determined to be the fuel pump. Replacing that, plus accessories (fuel injector, wire gauge) and labor cost $600. Now, 3 weeks later, it left me stranded in the grocery store parking lot. After having it towed (again... thank goodness for AAA), my Passlock system was determined to be not disabling itself. What is wrong with this car? Why is it such a piece of junk??

hello i wrote before telling everyone to Call in to GM. Well it was a waste of time and pissed me off even more. They basily said nope you did not buy the car new and you did not bring it to a GM dealer. so Your Sh*t out of luck. Like i want to bring my car to a GM dealership and pay $500 so they can open up the hood and say yep you got a problem. No I will never buy a GM again. No wonder why they dont make these models anymore. Maybe GM should have put more into their cars not paying all this money to have their cars turn in to Bumblebee in Transformers. Also visit the other sites that all of us Go to tell GM to Screw off.

PLEASE READ!!! Call this Number its GM Tell them how much this problem was a pain in your ass 800-422-6537 I called and they were not going to do anything for me then i told them about this web page with all of us in the same boat. Then i told them i would write what GM is going to do for me. If they are going to take care of there Customer. They said they would call me july 13th at 2PM i will come back on here and let you guys know. This was my happened to me. Car would not start replaced fuel pump. Security light came on. Next morning car would not start. 5 days after replacing fuel pump. Took back to the shop and found this wonderful page the same day. I told GM about this page and everyones having the same problem why are they not having a recall to help there customers out. I will come back tomorrow to add to this. Thanks.

I was home from school for Christmas break, my mom and I were shopping for some last minute gifts. The car was running great up until we got home. I had to go to work, so I go out to start the car and it won't start....... it would crank all day, but it would not turn over. I had to have it towed to the mechanic. I have had this happen many times already...... I have replaced the fuel relay switch, the ignition switch...... TWICE....., something else to do with the fuel system that wasn't cheap, and now the fuel pump. I have had my car die in the middle of traffic........, I have been stranded more times then I can count..... and on top of all this, I took it to a dealership here in Bloomington and the mechanics couldn't find anything wrong with it (thinking I was just some stupid girl who doesn't know how to start her car), so guess what, after driving it back home it wouldn't start the next day. It seems that anything I get fixed that is "causing the problem" fixes it for a month or so but then pretty soon something else seems to be causing the same problem. I think that something in the computer system of this car is causing the parts to go bad...... one at a time..... I wish there would be some type of recall or that they would find a solution to this problem!!!!

The mysterious "Tries But Won't Start" syndrome struck my 2001 Olds Alero this summer.

Occurrence #1: Stranded me at the office after working late. (I knew I should have gone home earlier!) Towed the car to the mechanic and was informed that the fuel pump was bad and needed to be replaced. Cost: $700 + 2 days of no car.

Occurrence #2: Three weeks later, I was stranded alone on the road in rush hour traffic three hours from home on Friday evening of a holiday weekend. It took 2 hours to get a tow truck and to find a garage that could look at the car before the end of the next week. We had the fuel pump relay (provides power to the fuel pump) replaced. Cost: $200 + 3 days with no car + having my spouse interrupt his vacation and drive 5 hours one way to pick me up + having to make an additional trip to pick up the car.

Occurrence #3: Less than two months later, stranded at the office. Again. Had the car towed back to the mechanic's shop. They replaced the fuel pump again (luckily under warranty from their previous repair). The mechanic informed us that there is a significant issue with GM fuel pumps and they typically replace 40+ per week.

Occurrence #4: A few days later, the car dies again at the office. This time, when the mechanic ran the diagnostics, he said that, in essence, my car forgot its password. When the passlock system forgets the password, the computer assumes the car is being stolen and shuts down the fuel system. To reset the passwords, you should turn key so the car is running on battery (radio will be on, but no ventilation) and wait 10-15 minutes. The security light is supposed to go off and then you should be able to start the vehicle.

Occurrence #5+: Wouldn't start to drive to work. Reset the passwords and it appears to be running ok, but the security light will not go off. I'm concerned now about my battery life with these frequent resets.

I say a quiet prayer every time I try to start my car. We're shopping for another car, but I hope this one will hold out until we find one!

I'm now finding that this is a very common Alero complaint. (Also check out the edmunds.com CarSpace Town Hall postings for lots of information.) The PassLock system seems to be more trouble than it's worth!

I purchased this Alero in July 04 with 58000 miles on it. It now has 147000. two weeks ago it left me stuck about 65 miles from home because it would turn over but not start. It was 5 on SUNDAY! I did not want to have it towed to my house, as that would have cost a fortune! So I found a mechanic in the area and was able to rent a car from them as well. They called Monday morning and said my positive battery cable was very corroded and must be replaced before testing can occur. OK I said to the tune of $195.00 then they called and said my battery was not putting enough amps out to run the test and that it needed replacement. BUT, I could bring my own if I wanted. Theirs was $95.00. (again, I don't live near there so said just put yours in) after those two replaced, they called and said they found the problem. THE ignition fuse was blown,$2.36. YES I SAID TWO DOLLARS and THIRTY SIX CENTS!! so after towing, car rental, diagnostic and repair parts and labor, I spent 579.00 FOR A FUSE! I hope this helps someone!

For the second time in a year, my car won't start. It turns over but won't fire. First time it left me stranded in the grocery store parking lot, cost me a tow truck, 3 days at the shop to get the problem diagnosed and then $750 Canadian to fix. They said it was a computer component that had to be replaced (took them two trial and errors to figure it out). Three days ago it happened again. Now the car is sitting in my garage and will have to be towed again. It was running fine when I parked it, and the next morning it wouldn't start so there is no "lead up" or indication of a problem beforehand. If it turns out to be the same problem again, I'm going to dump the car and buy a bike!!!!! If anyone has a permanent fix for this problem, I would love to hear it as I am at the mercy of the mechanic every time.