I had to replace the transmission on my Oldsmobile Alero twice before I finally figured out what was causing my transmission(s) to go bad. The symptoms were jerky/hard shifting in all gears, rpm's jumping, which progressively got worse until the gears went bad. The problem? I had a bad IAT (Intake Air Temperature) Sensor and a bad TPS (Throttle position sensor). The cost for both sensors altogether was around $100. I also replaced the connectors for each sensor. The ridiculous part was how easy it was to replace the sensors. 15 minutes tops.

After that the transmission was fine, until a bad solenoid (diagnostic code P0742) went which is located inside the transmission on the side panel (near the drivers side) and the only way to access the panel is to lift the engine and tranny out of the car. The actual solenoid itself costs only $20 at the dealership....

Besides transmission problems with this vehicle I have also had to replace the timing chain twice, which went along with rebuilding the engine head, as well as replacing the water pump. It turns out, that the timing chain tensioner on the cars when they were built were poorly made/designed and causes the chain to stretch or break. You can buy the newer/revised tensioner from the dealership for around $60.

Another issue that I had with this car was when the Oil Pressure Sensor went. One minute I was driving on the highway, the next my oil light was flashing and my engine was nearly completely drained. My mechanic said he had never seen ANY car gush oil the way my car was. I thought my engine was busted. No. My engine was fine. It was the frigging Oil Pressure Sensor that only cost $20 at Auto Zone and only took about 1 hour to replace!! GRrrrrrr.

Of course, no Oldsmobile Alero would be complete without the security pass-lock sensor going bad. I had to replace the Ignition Switch for around $350 about 5 years ago. I also had to replace the ignition module. Again, a cheap part for under $100 at the auto supply store, and it's ridiculously easy to install. It is literally sitting directly on top of the engine head, held in place by 2 little screws. A 5 yr old could easily install the part.

Lets see, what else....Oh, the starter, twice. The alternator, twice. I had my horn relay go bad so I replaced the entire steering column, hoping it would fix my intermittent turning signal problem. Horn works. Turning signal still has a mind of its own, and most of the time it's telling me to go suck a rock. Also, the alignment seems to go bad a lot so Ive had that done at least 6 times. ABS and TRAC off light as well as Service Engine Soon and Service Engine Soon seems to stay on all the time, no matter what I try to do.

I would have been better off buying a 3 wheeler tricycle instead of this piece of junk car.

Alero had 13,000 KMs left on power train. 3 gear gone rest shifted smooth. Step father took car into O'Leary Pontiac in Fredericton NB Canada to have work done while I was serving with my unit in Afghanistan. He was told someone was riding the clutch and at teh same time speedshifting the engine - so the warranty is null and void on the car. Quoted 3940 and tax CDN to rebuild. 2400 and tax for a junk yard unit with no repairs. Step dad ordered new clutch out of USA cost - 240 USD used transmission from salvage yard with 80,000 KMs on it 525 CDN

The dealership would not send the car out to a professional transmission shop so it was put back together at the dealer for 692 plus tax CDN.

When my step father went to pick up my car - it wasn't washed (covered in a thick film of dust and grime from mechanics grease, and when he started teh car in gear he was able to drive it around the corner and up a hill with his foot to the floor on the clutch. Service dept swore up and down they test drove it on the road. Being a cop my step father was very aware of teh tire impressions from the garage to the final stopping/parking of my car and said they couldn't have test drove it. Besides the car had expired registration plates on it. I put my life on the line every day that I go to work as a member of the armed forces in Afghanistan. The mechanic who did sh*tty work on my car put my step father and my mothers lives on the line by not doing his job. They got my money and said tough luck basically. I've returned home with an injury suffered over there and am looking at a new truck. GMC is not in my vocabulary.

I'm writing to the CEO of gM and giving him 21 days to respond - then every car manufacturer selling in Canada gets the letter and his response. Way to go GM