Without warning, the gearshift knob broke off. This makes it impossible to shift the car into park, reverse, etc.

- Toledo, OH, USA

I have an 2000 Oldsmobile Alero which is a piece of crap since I first brought it home. I have had to change the brakes about 7 times!!! I have also had to fix all of the problems that were stated in the recalls. I fixed the recall problems before there even was any recalls because GM would not help me. Then later I would receive the recalls. Now my transmission is shot!! the ets system is not allowing the transmission to shift properly. We found a bolt laying in the transmission pan when we first serviced it. In the beginning we thought we only needed a transmission fluid and filter change but come to find out that bolt that was in our transmission pan filtered though the transmission allowing something to become loose in the transmission making it shift very hard. We had 2 mechanics look at it and both agreed that we needed to rebuild the transmission. I have only had the car for about 6 years but even in the beginning of owning this vehicle things started to go wrong. Now Oldsmobile is out of business and GM/Oldsmobile wont do anything to help me which is typical of GM. I have been on the phone with GM about 5 times now and they just keep telling me the same thing over and over. Basically I'm out of luck. Now it will cost $2000 to rebuild the transmission and I do not have that. I will never purchase a GM vehicle ever again. I think that a foreign car like Honda or Nissan would be more reliable and wont be a piece of junk that isn't even worth $100. Please help me I need a vehicle for work.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

Driving a 2000 olds Alero. The gear shift becomes inoperable, because the plastic button that is used to push in to operate the gear shift is completely broken on the inside. The peice has even fallen out of the gear shift making it very difficult to place the car in gear. Have had to push thumb into head of gear shift to enable "pushing of interior release" to place the gear shift in position. Never experienced any damage under my posession, and as far as I can tell the previous owner had not abused the gear shift either. Can cause a "suprising"moment when you realize you can not engage the gear you are intending to use. Recently I was backing up in the vehicle, when the "button "came off, and rolled under my seat. Luckily I was in a parking lot that was not extremely busy at that time. I had to try to locate the button with my foot still engaged on the brake so the car would not continue to "back up". that's when I realized by sticking my thumb in the open area I could then engage my gear shift into drive.

- Frederick, MD, USA

While driving vehicle popped out of gear intermittently. Dealership was notified, but did no resolve the problem.

- Willingboro, NJ, USA

1. the button on the automative gear shift broke 2000, replaced under warranty, broke again 2002. 2. the turn signal wouldn't work, worked on twice, now a recall! 3. motor on power driver seat broke. 4.dash board is bubbling and peeling! cheap *** glue! 5. brake pads-too many to mention! 6. cruise control went out...now sometimes the car will race and I don't have to put my foot on the gas, but if you have to apply brakes, you had better hold it down hard, or you'll end up ramming someone in the back. If you try to gun to get the rpms down, it'll shoot up to 3000 rpms! 7. I am very disappointed with GMC/Oldsmobile!!!! I will never recommend this car!

- Evington, VA, USA

Two gears in the transmission broke loose and shot metal throughout the transmission creating a complete failure. New transmission was needed at a very large cost. Car has less than 50,000 miles on it and we bought it about 3 1/2 months ago.

- Elk Run Heights, IA, USA

Service engine soon lamp: Intake manifold gasket: Cruise control: Transmission.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

When going up a hill engine will sputter. Vehicle will rev without touching accelerator. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic indicated a bearing in transmission had gone out. Dealer contacted.

- Pound, VA, USA

Transmission sticks in 2 and 3 gears. Dealer cannot remedy problem.

- Spring, TX, USA

Vehicle will coast backwards when in drive position, and take off from a stop. Also, vehicle will coast foward when in reverse postion, and when taking foot off brakes due to faulty transmission. Consumer states dealership told him this was normal for vehicle.

- Candor, NY, USA

The gear shift does not lock, and is easy to knock out of gear (drive to N+1+2+3 and reverse to N+1+2+3). The gear shift indicator turns so hot U can feel it through your jeans. I have to jiggle the gear shifter until it pops just to get the key out of the ignition everytime I cut my car off. The car was on with key in the ignition (of course) while automatically locking me out on many different occasions. There is also a real slight knocking in the front axle. --- the detailed story -- while my wife and 2 kids were traveling back down to columbus, ga. I was going about 70 mph in the fast lane, after checking the mirrors. At that time I reached over to grab the map, while barely tipping the gear shifter with my fingertips. The gear shifter popped into neutral...(all of this happened in less then about 10 seconds)... which dropped the car from 70 mph to 50-55 mph, which in turn made the SUV that jumped into my lane behind me to accelerate was aware enough to hit his brakes and then vere off to the other lane...thank god that the only thing I got from the other driver was an upset facial expression instead of his front bumper on top of my kids in the backseat....well after taking the car to an dealership in va beach, va. For some of these problems, all I was offered was written excuses---but nothing was fixed...so I decided to call the Oldsmobile company, after they called the dealership they just repeated the excuses of what was the written excuses that was given to me the first time....so I told the man I understand that he just works there and I appreciate the fact that he ( I guess) tried to help me. But what if this incident would have taken the turn for the worst. All he said was "well it's now documented, in case of a future fatality" ----if you ask me, then it will be too late. This is not the only problem I have had with this vehicle and there is not even 18,000 miles on it. I'm truthfully lost because this my 1st new car and I usually out to sea. Can U help

- Va Beach, VA, USA

Brakes and transmission problems; brakes pulsate, metal to metal noise. ABS brakes/rotors needed to be replaced. Also, transmission locked into gear, no shifting.

- Irvington, KY, USA

This Alero is junk we have not been happy with it since we bought it.two paint jobs, brake work, transmission shifts too hard, car run hot, long list would like to have a car that isnt a hunk of junk

- Indpls, IN, USA