Overview & Reviews

Following a string of truly forgettable small-car efforts in the 1980s and '90s, Oldsmobile celebrated its centennial anniversary by introducing the all-new Alero to compete with the popular and well-established import competition of the day. While it failed to truly capture the hearts and minds of consumers or chalk up many conquest sales, Olds' small car story ended on an upbeat note with a stylish and decently designed effort.

Available as a sedan or coupe, the Oldsmobile Alero was considered by most to be a sporty-looking car thanks to its bulging wheelwells, sleek greenhouse, fluted side panels and large jewellike taillights. The front-drive Alero was also relatively entertaining to drive. Buyers could choose four-cylinder or V6 power. Initially, the Alero came with an automatic transmission only, but a five-speed manual eventually made an appearance.

Handling was nicely balanced and braking was strong. Inside, an artfully designed two-tone dash faced comfortable front seats that were firm and supportive. All controls were easy to see and use, with large knobs and buttons. Unfortunately, all-around refinement didn't match that of the leading imports.

The phase-out of the Oldsmobile brand spelled the end for the Alero. For a shopper interested in an affordable used coupe or sedan from the early 2000s, the Oldsmobile Alero should do nicely as long as one is aware of the car's faults and lame-duck heritage. Service can be handled at select GM dealerships -- you might want to focus on Pontiac, as the Alero was mechanically similar to the Grand Am.

Most Recent Oldsmobile Alero

The Oldsmobile Alero debuted in 1999 as a replacement for the slow-selling Achieva. Coupe and sedan body styles were offered, as were three main trim levels: entry-level GX, midgrade GL and top-line GLS. GX and GL models came standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that made 150 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. Optional on GL and standard on GLS was a 3.4-liter V6 that made 170 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission choice at the time was a four-speed automatic.

Incremental improvements saw it through the next several years. A year after the car's debut, Olds offered a sport-tuned suspension package for the GL. For 2001, an optional five-speed manual transmission became available on four-cylinder models, and the car's antilock braking system was updated. If you're looking at four-cylinder Aleros, take note that for 2002 Oldsmobile replaced the 2.4-liter engine with a quieter and more fuel-efficient 2.2-liter engine. It made 140 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque.

Inside, we found the Oldsmobile Alero offered a user-friendly control layout and seats that were generally comfortable -- though materials quality throughout was a step or two behind that of competing imports; even the leather in the GLS looked and felt too much like vinyl. For those with lots to carry, though, both the coupe and sedan offered a generous 14.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity.

Although neither engine was particularly quiet, the four-cylinder provided adequate power in most situations while the V6 delivered spirited performance. The Alero's suspension tuning was firm and allowed some fun around twists and turns, yet ride quality remained smooth enough to make the Olds suitable for weekday commuting. The steering offered little in the way of road feel, however, and the brakes were strong but could be difficult to modulate due to an overly stiff pedal.

User Reviews:

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  One big headache - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Stay Clear - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Very nice looking vehicle,but its one problem after another,and the service is a joke.My vehicle has 24,500 miles and has already has had 3 complete brake jobs due to warped rotors,and has been to the dealer on 12 occasions for other problems.I highly recommend staying clear of this vehicle,unless you want mine!If the later of the two is the case, disregard anything I stated earlier,its a great car!

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  Stay away from this car. - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Aubreysdad - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought used from CarMax dealer. After two months (only 29k miles on car), fuel pump has to be replaced, side mirror breaks off and replaced, dash starts peeling away and repaired, shifter nob breaks and replaced. Sure, a little less expensive than Japanese, but youll pay more in the long run. Went back to CarMax, took $1800 hickie on appraisal, and traded in for Honda.

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  Trouble Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By drazzst - January 1 - 6:46 am

  Approx. 6 mos. after purchasing the vehicle, we had a minor rainstorm, and the driver side window wouldnt go up or down (power). Had the connection repaired. Next night, we had a MAJOR rainstorm, and the problem happened again. Shortly after, the radio stopped working due to a wire being disconnected by the dealer (their fault). After that was repaired, because of the location of the wire in the driver side, it became disconnected again. Then the starter started messing up...sometimes it takes up to 6 tries to turn the engine over. Now the coolant light comes on, chimes, and goes off. My car is currently considered a "Friday Night Special"

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  Terrible Car!! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By AleroOwner - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Purchased in 2000 this car has been a very unreliable automobile. Luckily, still under warranty, it has been in the shop 24 times! Engine, Head Gaskets, Water Pump, Alternator, problem with low tire pressure light, still is on to this day (cant find a problem) just to name a few... this was all at 42,000 miles!! Good job GM!

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  costs way to much for what you get - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Lisa S - September 3 - 10:00 am

  This car gets horrible gas milage for a 4cylinder car, both city and highways miles. It has lots of rode noise and is very rickety sounding, meaning the inside like the doors are making noises like creeking noises as you are driving down the rode. Considering this car will cost you 18K to 20K brand new there is no reason for it to be this horrilble of a car!! I would expect this from like a cheap car like around 10K to 15K

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  Why Cant they Build a Decent car? - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ro - August 17 - 2:06 am

  I ordered my Oldsmobile Alero in 1999. The first couple of years went okay, but in the third year I had to replace the alternater and soon after that my front brakes went. My rear view mirror completely fell off when I was driving and since there are wires connected to it I had to drive with the mirror dangling from my windshield. I can only use my air / heat on the 3 and 4 settings so the air literally sucks the tears from my eyes. Whenever it rains heavily my drivers side floor becomes completely saturated & I have a puddle of water in my car. Finally, on a day we had a snow storm, the drivers side window fell into the door. These things happened after the warranty expiresd and I wasnt offered an extended warranty..hmm, I wonder why?

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  Alero = "lemon" - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Timo - May 7 - 10:00 am

  In the last nine months Ive had the Alero, Ive had to bring it in to have warranty work done 4 different times. It feels cheaply made and has proven itself to be just that. I expected alot more.

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  Electrical Nightmare - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jpbrown - January 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is by far the most unreliable vehicle I ever had. After only four months the car began to exhibit major electrical defects and for the next five months it has been in and out of the shop almost every other week since. Gm maintains the car is sound, but the service department has been unable to correct the issue.

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  Merry Christmas! I keep my dash board... - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JC - October 28 - 3:40 pm

  Lights on all year long! My car is paid for and has been for some time. This is a good thing because it costs so much to keep it running! Wheel hubs, bearings, brakes, $$tires. I would tell anyone who asks not to buy an Alero, it is a complete lemon. I bought this car brand new, I have taken it to the Oldsmobile dealer for repair and no one can seem to fix my car. My dashboard lights are back on two weeks after it is "fixed." anti-lock, service vehicle soon, service engine soon, trac off always on!

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  junk - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By GFYS123 - October 6 - 10:00 am

  No reliability. Many problems. Rotors warp in 10,000 miles. Steering problems like crazy.