The contact owns a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving approximately 32 mph the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle would not stop. In order to stop the vehicle the contact engaged the emergency brake. During the failure all of the warning lights illuminated. The speedometer also began to display random speeds ranging from 0 mph to 100 mph. The vehicle also stalled while driving. The hazard lights would not function. The failure was not diagnosed. The failure and current mileages were 97,213.

- Lisle, IL, USA

Power windows have both went out had to replace the motor for that, 2 times now the rack and pinion has came out and 2 times I have had to replace altenator had to replace overflow resorvoir I dont find this to be a reliable or safe car to be in. I bought it used so who knows what has happened before I got it I forgot to mention my part-time signal lights they work when they want to and I had to replace air conditioning compresser I have only had car 5 yrs myself and its so not worth the money I have put into it the dates vary but the first was in 2004 and the last was 2009.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

Car began to overheat two days ago. Intake manifold gasket replaced a year ago. Dealership stated the intake manifold needs to be replaced again. We also found out that we may have a blown head gasket and possibly a cracked engine--which means a new motor. Car has 80,000 miles on it and has been very well taken care of. We are devastated as this is our daughter's car and she is about to be a freshman in college. The car broke down on her while traveling down an interstate-at night.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

In March 2006 at 73,277 miles I had to have the intake manifold gaskets, valve cover gaskets & water pump assembly replaced due to a constant antifreeze leak. Then in April 2007 at 87,452 miles had to have the head gasket replaced due to the same problem. Was told by the mechanic this was a common problem & GM even changed the intake manifold so the one I had put on in 2007 was different than the one in 2006 because they have had so many problems. Seemed like they should be reimbursing people & having a recall because they obviously knew about the problem.

- Hastings, MI, USA

I have had an 99' Oldsmobile Alero for 7 years. It has had almost every problem listed on this website. It has had an over heating problem every year since I got it and I have spent thousands in repairs for the cooling system, fuel pump, poor interior manufacturer, ac/heater blower motor settings failure, fuel gauge failure, transmission leakage, poor springs/struts, gear slipping, hard starting, water leaking in from rain under glove compartment, off alignment (set three times in year), poor gas mileage, overheating or running above normal temperature and sudden overheating without notice of gauge lights or sounds. Has had front right caliper failure locking brake pads down against rotor causing burnout of pads, rotor warping, caliper cylinder damage. Has had power steering pump leakage. This car is a lemon and GM should not be allowed to get away with selling unsafe, worthless vehicles. The only reason I still have mine running is because I have put a lot of personal as well as paid labor into its upkeep over the years due to that I cant afford another car.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The make : Oldsmobile model : Alero year : 1999 manufacturer : General Motors Corp. Mileage: 62,000 miles problem: Engine intake manifold leak - dexcool I, like several hundred thousand other GM owners, am experiencing a leaking engine due to the dexcool coolant used in the radiator. The problem stems from the intake manifold not being sealed correctly to house the corrosive coolant. (I've been told by both my mechanic and the dealer that this effects all 3.0L series engines in GM vehicles from the years 1998 - 2003.) I only realized my problem after my friend (with the exact same model car and year) had his head gasket blown off due to the engine coolant mixing with the oil. Total estimated cost: $750. Risk of accident if car's engine blows in traffic.

- New Britain, CT, USA

: the contact stated while driving at various speeds there was a humming noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the ABS light illuminated, the cruise control became inoperable, a burning smell appeared and the vehicle was loosing water. The dealership inspected the vehicle. The battery, wiring, spark plug wiring and a belt were replaced. The water pump and window switch was replaced. The blower motor needed to cleaned out. The brakes were inoperative updated 05/01/06.

- Interlachen, FL, USA

Noticed my son's 1999 olds Alero was using excessive antifreeze, took to shop & had to have defective intake gasket replaced as antifreeze was being sucked into the engine. Repair shop reports that they are repairing same problem on 3 GM cars per week in this town of 25,000 people. Cost $ 650 to repair; GM should recall this vehicle & similar models and replace these defective gaskets, we were lucky that we did not ruin the engine on this car. We had to get the car repaired immediately as my son did not have any other vehicle to drive to work while the Alero was being repaired and really could not afford this expensive repair on this car. Repair shop advised that GM is not recalling this part or paying for the repairs even though they are aware of the problem and that it is the fault of a defective gasket and not the car owners fault.

- Hastings, NE, USA

1999 olds Alero gls, bought the car in may,2004 with 23,000 miles on it. From day 1 I have had nothing but problems with it mostly brakes, car has extended warranty on it. The rotors grind, pulsate, squeak, the calipers make cracking noises sometimes brake pedal goes to floor. The dealership refuses to fix the problem or says it will not do it for the mechanic, when I drop it off I allowed the service manager to hear it he also verified the sound, only to get the car back being told it won't do it. The rotors have been replaced 4X the brakes 3X the calipers 2X, I still have the problem. Cd player will not work told by dealership it is the humidity doing it which I live in philadelphia and it is winter there is no humidity. Told dealership about a squeezing noise under hood got car back and told they could not find anything wrong with it, I get home and pop the hood and find a grease like residue on the serpentine belt, I later find the water pump leaking. Car loses power and a metal banging noise occurs from under the hood under acceleration, dealership says cannot find the problem. I go back to the dealership and tell them about the brakes and water pump, the tell me that they cannot satisfy me and they will not service the car and not to bring it to them any more. In one month I was at the dealership for the same problem, it still is not fixed, with each time having to pay a $100 deductible. I contact GM the say car is to old and there is nothing they can do for me. The car has 56,000 miles on it and the warranty does not expire until 60,000 or may,2006. I am getting ready to trade it in for a Toyota.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Without any warning or signs, the car engine died at approximately 65,000 mi. Car was driven locally and was well taken care of. It cost $1,700 to replace (with an engine that had 43,000 miles.), and seems that the engine should have lasted for more than 65,000 miles.

- Lowell, MA, USA

Purchased the car in February'03. Bad vibration when driving at speeds over 45 mph, tires rotated and balanced 4+ times, both front wheel bearing/hub kits replaced in less than 6 months after purchase, still occurs and have just grown accustomed to the shaking. Engine coolant leaks: Replaced pump and "O" ring. Power steering pump and return hose replaced. Driver side window does not roll back up(believe dealership replaced prio to purchase). Driver side mirror motor has never worked properly, dealer(in rochester) put on receipt of last repair that they replaced motor, but didn't actually have part, but was on order. Never received a phone call back when or if part came in(dealership is over 300 miles from my home, purchased car on the internet).

- Queensbury, NY, USA

Loosing engine coolent. No visible leaking on the ground.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

Car engine compartment completely engulfed in flame after 5 mile drive to a shopping mall. Car was cruising parking lot looking for space when fire erupted.

- Mississauga, UN, USA

Engine: 3.4L V6. The manifold gasket and water pump failed at approximately 40,000 miles. The dealer picked up the cost of the parts under their "goodwill" policy, but out of pocket cost to me was still over $800. The manifold gasket on my 2002 Buick rendezvous, VIN [xxx] also failed and had to be replaced at 18,000 miles. This was done under warranty at no cost to me. This was also the 3.4L V6 engine. It is obvious this is a problem GM has known about for quite some time and have not taken corrective action in a timely manner. An extension of the warranty on this engine is certainly called for. I have advised many friends to avoid purchasing a GM car with either the 3.1L or 3.4L engine. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Within my 36,000 of driving from 50,222 to 86,119 my intake gaskets have been replaced twice. My rack has been replaced twice and will need to be replaced a third time. I am also aware that the rack was replaced while the previous owner had the car. Recently I realized why water was getting into my passenger side of the vehicle. The window seal is shifted causing the window to leak if the car is parked at certain inclines. This repair is not covered by my pre-owned vehicle warranty. All major repairs have been covered by my warranty and any additional costs have bee quote "eaten" by repair facilities.

- New Britain, CT, USA

Lower intake gasket failure causes near collision on freeway. While I was driving home on a busy day my coolant light came on and my engine started pulsing strangely. Trying to pull into the emergency lane caused several cars to nearly slam into the back of my car. The problem with the coolant was found to be a common flaw in the lower intake gasket on 3.4L (3400) GM engines. After investigation, I've found that many people are experiencing this problem yet GM is doing nothing to address it.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

While driving at any speed consumer heard a rattling sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle and replaced the front hubs and wheel bearings. Also, vehicle used an excessive amount of oil and coolant.

- Canton, MI, USA

At 50K miles, low coolant light would flicker on and off so per the manual dexcool/water mixture was added. This alleviated the problem only temporarily however. Light continued to come on, and later at 61K, oil leak was noticed on the side of the intake manifold. An appointment was made to bring the car to the dealership the same week, during which the security dummy light came on (for no apparent reason). Also during this week, the "change oil" dummy light came on 100 miles before the oil change was due (at 2900 miles). The car was brought to the dealership to fix per its appointment, and not only was coolant leaking into the engine, but the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets required replacement. In addition, on its way to the dealership, the engine started to misfire causing the "check engine" light to flash for several moments before turning to a steadily lit dummy light. Car has always been given routine maintenance and oil changes every 3K or as necessary, so this performance and obvious design flaw are very disappointing. Would not recommend this car/3.4L V6 engine to anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle and considering this make/model/engine type.

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

Head gasket and manifold gasket leak on a 1999 olds Alero with 55000 miles.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero with a V-6 3.4 liter engine, and it uses dex-cool. Over the past few months my low coolant light has been coming on and as instructed in my owner's manual I have been replacing the dex-cool/water mixture in the overflow tank. Just recently my ABS light and low track light has come on, and over the weekend I was driving on a highway when my fan belt prematurely broke and stranded me along side of the highway.

- Burnsville, WV, USA