1999 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated the hub bearings on both sides of the front end went out. There was a noise coming from the front end, the contact took the vehicle to a garage. The mechanic told her of the problem, and said if she drove it much longer there would have been an accident. The head gaskets also blew out the engine. The vehicle was leaking antifreeze into the air system. The vehicle is currently at the garage being fixed for the head gaskets. Also, fuel pump went out while driving on the road. The vehicle was towed to the garage. Then, they replaced the fuel pump. The contact stated, in addition, there have been electrical problems. The computer system had to be reset a couple of times. This has happened within the past 12 months.

- Akron, OH, USA

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

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Loss of power during acceleration into an intersection.

- Lansing, MI, USA

I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero with a 3.4L engine. At a cost of $652.01, on 28-October-2003 I had service performed on my vehicle because I was loosing coolant at regular intervals and it was not leaking onto the ground. The severe cause for concern was after I had refilled my coolant reservoir, drove approximately 3 miles, and all of the coolant was gone. The temperature guage shot up to the red zone, and I pulled over immediately. I had the car towed to the dealer and they indicated that this was a common problem for vehicles with this engine. They replaced the intake gasket and I was on my way. A few weeks later I noticed the coolant level was low again, and I had to add more coolant. I took the car back to the dealership on 25-November-2003. They checked the car and said they could find no leaks. I continued to drive the car. Consistently, every 2 weeks, I was refilling the coolant resevoir. This has been happening until recently (February 2004). In late February 2004 I started losing coolant at a much faster rate, about 3 day intervals. On 2-March-2004 my car did not start the first 2 times I tried, on the third it caught. I decided to inspect the oil, using the dip stick, and found that the oil was a thick goo. This prompted me to call GM and the dealership to identify my options for having this problem resolved. I am frustrated, aggrevated, annoyed, among other things, and I fear that had this gone undetected, the oil would have gotten to a state where it would not have allowed the engine to function, perhaps leading to an accident. Not only do I fear for my safety, but I am concerned that having a severe problem like this "fixed" only to find that it happens again will only lead to the samething happening yet another time. How many times will I have to have this problem fixed" is this a recurring safety concern"

- Oak Hill, VA, USA

The check engine light came on. Upon checking the coolant levels, it was low. The repair shop diagnosis is a leak in the intake manifold with an $800+ repair cost. According to research, the particular type of coolant, dexcool, used in GM cars is linked to corrosion to the intake manifold gaskets.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

The "coolant" light came on - then the car died & overheated...apparently coolant was leaking into the engine because a gasket failed...now the engine must be replaced at 70,000 miles. Starting at 3,000 miles, the check engine soon light came on & it has been in and out of dealerships ever since!!! GM hasn't done a thing to help me! I just spent $1,300 to get the gasket replaced in the intake manifold & now they tell me the engine needs to be replaced!!! please help me - I need a contact for GM - the customer service line has not done a thing to help & apparently this is a common problem...

- Forest Hill, MD, USA

When vehicle is turned on it takes a long time to start, and it idles very roughly. When vehicle makes right turns there is an annoying squeaking sound coming from the brakes.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

The coolant started leaking into the oil. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, pence Oldsmobile, April 24, 2003, due to engine ticking. Advised oil appeared to have not been changed in 1 yr. I advised the service oil was changed every 3 months less than 3000 miles. Oil was "gunky" and thick like vaseline. Vehicle also loosing coolant. Oil was changed and engine to clean of gunk on 04/24/03. 07/5/03, coolant tank low 15 miles later coolant tank refilled again.. 07/06/03, vehicle parked. 07/7/03, before leaving for work, coolant refilled again. No leakage on ground. After about traveling about 8 miles, while stopped at a stop light the vehilce started to tremble & make sounds. Drove approx 1 mile to employers parking lot and called tow truck to tow it to. Dealer service dept informed me oil pump O-ring, intake gasket, valva cover gasket and PCV valve needed replacing and there could possibley be internal engine damage.. the vehicle was picked up on 07/11/03 between 5:30-6pm, driven 20 miles and parked until 07/12/03 until 5:30pm..vehilce driven another 20 miles and coolant light came on again. Coolant refilled. Sun 07/13/03, vehicle driven 10 miles and coolant light on again. Coolant was refilled vehicle parked until 07/14/03. Vehicle driven back to dealer on 07/14/03, and left with service dept.. I had just paid $757.80 for repairs and 24 hrs later the vehicle was doing the same thing. Approx 1hr after I left the dealership, they called to inform me that the water pump was now gone and needed replacement. Complaint made to oldmobile customer service but no action taken. The vehilce had 63000 miles and service as required. This problem seems to be a defect from the manufactorer.. when the coolant was low, prior to water pump problem of 07/12/03, the coolant was leaking into the engine.

- Richmond , VA, USA

Engine gaskets failed, which caused coolant to leak into the oil.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

Consumer experienced head gasket blow out.

- Campbell, NY, USA

The lower intake gasket & oil pump drive O-ring seal is leaking coolant internal & is mixing with oil, engine will need to be replaced. This car is only 2 1/2 yrs old, the intake gasket and O-ring seal should not leak fluid; this must be a manufacturer's defect. I have taken the car in for service (fitzgerald auto mall- Maryland) consistently..... idlerpulley - I had the serpentine belt replaced in Nov 2001(113.38). In February while driving on the interstate all of car systems began to fail. Once the alternator was drained dry and the car coolant, the battery died, because the serpentine belt came off. After two hours in the rain we were able to get the belt back on and I took the car to the dealership the following day. The dealership discovered the idler pulley bearing was loose and needed to be replaced...this cost $117.47. The dealership would not pay claim any liability, because it had been two months since they had replaced ther serpentine belt and felt anything could of happened since November. I am sure it is not common for an idler pulley bearing to become loose, this may be a manufacturer's defect. Thank you.

- Germantown, MD, USA

Consumer states head gasket was replaced at 50,000 miles.

- Harbor City, CA, USA

The oil pan gasket and the intake gasket were replaced failure causing leakage.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

I purchased my 1999 Oldsmobile Alero on 4/20/00. Four days later, the car overheated. It overheated approximentley 10-12 times after that, each time with me bringing it back to the selling dealership to fix the problem. Each time I took the car back, something in the engine was replaced and I was told it was ok. No more than 5 miles down the road, the car would overheat. It seemed to be a mystery to everbody. Finally, I suggested to the dealership to possibly change the thermostat. They did and that ended the overheating problem. Now, a month later, the factory warranty is up- so olds wont help me, the dealerships warranty is up, so they wont help - they blame olds. I do have an extended warranty, but I dont think it covers a lot of the repairs that need to be done. Ive already had to pay $250 before it totally broke down. And besides this has been going on since I got the car when it was within the "bumper to bumper". the engine will not hold antifreeze (been going on for about 2 week), we put it in and 5 min. Down the road its gone! its started overheating again, and right now is totally undrivable!! I have to use my works company car (lucky they are so nice) to get back and forth to work with. I bought a 1999 so that I would have a reliable car that I could trust to not give me these kinds of drastic problems! - so bad that it doesnt even work anymore!! I have been on the phone with Oldsmobile numerous times and they are of no help!!! so, I've come to my last straw, ive gone to a consumer lawyer to help me figure this mess out...oh yeah, did I mention that I am a 20 year old female - what do I know"?" - I have saved all of my receipts, have pics, and a file with olds. Someone has to do something!! I want revenge and to be compensated for this!!! and the way the lawyer talks, I cant sue unless they dont contact me when they recieve the letter of demand to fix the car. But obviously they will. I want more than that. Im ready for a battle!!

- Meriden, CT, USA