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:

• 

  Lemon - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Lemon - October 7 - 7:10 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my Alero. In the last five years, I have had to replace my blinker, gas cap, entire clutch system, steering wheel pump, cruise control switch, and rear defroster. I also had a bolt break causing my front passenger wheel to fall of, luckily I was going slow enough that it didnt cause serious damage and I was not injured. And most recently I found out I have a leak in my cooling system.

• 

  Problems never end - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By melrosedave - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I do love the look of the car, but I have had to call AAA four times in the eleven months I have owned the car. Its either the alternator, battery, electric system or emissions problems.

• 

  Junk... - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Renter132423 - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Rented one. my daily driver is BMW 330xi. I like the looks especially the rear end lights. Got in, wow - sucked. Too much plastic feel. Handling is crummy. Motor poor for V6. GLAD GLAD I can recommend anyone NOT to buy one of these. Look at a Honda or Toyota before this thing... terrible. Sorry.

• 

  Piece of Junk - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MrLee - November 5 - 4:36 am

  Dont buy this car if your life depends on it. The computer system is garbage, mine has been repaired over four times and it is still broken. The security system is broken, and the car wont start. The windows leak, ruining the carpet (which wont be replaced) and after they are fixed, they fall off the track. The rotors warped after only 12,000 miles and only third party replacements make it stop. The intake manifold leaks coolant.

• 

  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Geografer - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Had nothing but problems with this car since day 1. Back rotor brakes have been resurfaced 4 times (only 28K miles on car) and already need to be done again. There are random electrical problems (blinkers will randomly quit working while driving but turn the hazard lights on few seconds they will work again/radio will not turn off after car is off, keys out and doors open and will stay on constantly until suddenly going off as it should) that they cant seem to find an explanation for so cant fix. I bought this car because it claimed to be low maintenance but has been anything but. It has been in for repairs at least 6 times a year.

• 

  Trash Heap - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Wildplrbear - August 5 - 12:36 pm

  I have owned this car for 6 years and treated it like an old man would. It did not love me back, it constantly bit the hand that feed it. The car is horribly constructed. It has built in flaws that are unfixable and dangerous. It completely broke down with 112000 miles. By break down, I mean it gave up on life. I do not believe it is even ok to sell this car to someone. I plan on taking it to a junk yard and asking them to destroy it. Did not start 15% of the time because of security system issues, new bearings every 15K miles, windows that stop working every winter, bad head gaskets, bad intake gaskets, new breaks every 20K miles, shorting wires on a semiannual basis.

• 

  I HATE THIS CAR - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ashley Dawn - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Since I have bought this car I have spent over $6,000 in repairs. In fact, right now Im having my engine rebuilt. I thought this was a low maintenance car. Sell yours while you can.

• 

  Straight Up Lemon - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By reddstunta - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is junk and was made too fast. The only good thing is that I have not had any motor problems. The inside is garbage, my top light just fell down, my driver side window borke twice, sometimes it does not crank, the rubber around the windshield is continuing coming up. The worse of all the dash board is coming up and look all wrinkle. This car is a lemon and practically worthless. It had a nice body style and outer appeal but it toatal garbage. I will never buy another. I hate this car, there is a new problem with it constantly.

• 

  You will be sorry if you purchase Alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Stevfonso - May 29 - 10:00 am

  After one week of ownership car was back to dealer for 7 problems. Everything was not fixed or problems have returned. Dealership has the worst customer service I have ever experienced. When you experience several problems from your Alero, dont expect any help from the No Customer Service Assistance Center. Beware of the brakes, steering wheel shakes and vibrates in your hands. GM knows about this problem, but who knows what they are doing about it? The V-6 is only good for low-end power. The gas mileage is horrible for this size car 23mpg while driving mostly on the expressway.

• 

  This sad old Alero - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Brian - May 20 - 12:00 am

  This is the worst vehicle that I have ever owned. Thank God we bought a extended warranty. The starter went bad, fly wheel cracked, passenger electric widow stopped working, leaked gas from the engine, power steering started to leak, oil was getting into radiator, passenger door leaked when it rained, passlock theft security went bad. We traded car off before the extended warranty was up. Vehicles like this make you really think about ever buying a GM vehicle again. You pay good money for a vehicle and this is what you get.