1998 Oldsmobile Alero problems
The Oldsmobile Alero is a midsize car that was produced by General Motors for its Oldsmobile division. Introduced in 1998 as a 1999 model, the Alero was the replacement for both the Achieva and Cutlass. The Alero was Oldsmobile's last new model nameplate, and — on April 29, 2004 — was also the last Oldsmobile manufactured.
History
The design of the Alero was originally previewed in 1997 with the Alero Alpha concept car, a V6-powered sport coupe that featured many design elements seen in the production Alero as well as some that were never meant for production. Its appearance was a revival of "coke bottle styling", popular during the 1960s and 1970s.
The Alero was sold either as a 4-door sedan or as a 2-door coupe. It shared its chassis and many parts, including engines, with the Pontiac Grand Am. All Aleros came in base GX, mid-level GL, or high-end GLS trim; the GL trim was split into three levels: 1, 2, and 3.
The Alero experienced minimal changes during its 5-year run. Most of these changes were either in choice of engines or options. In 2003, the Alero's daytime running lights were changed from high-beam to low-beam.
The Alero was also sold in select countries in Europe and in Israel between 1999 and 2001 as the Chevrolet Alero, and was only available as a sedan. The car still featured its Oldsmobile badges even though sold under the Chevrolet brand, but since most European consumers would not recognize the badging, Chevrolet badges were added to the grille and rear fascia for the 2000 model year. The Alero featured Chevrolet emblems throughout its entire run in Israel. The Alero was replaced in Europe, Israel, and Canada by the GM Daewoo-sourced Chevrolet Evanda/Epica.
The Alero's production ended with a special Final 500 Edition. These last 500 Aleros featured custom logos inspired by vintage Oldsmobile logos, dark cherry metallic paint, and a plate featuring the car's number out of 500. The final Alero Final 500 Edition (#500 of 500), a GLS 4-door, also happened to be the final Oldsmobile ever built, and was signed under its hood by the employees of the General Motors Lansing plant. The final car left the Lansing Assembly Plant on April 29, 2004 and was then given to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum. On December 15, 2017, this car was sold at auction for $42,000 to a dealer in Florida.
A preview of the planned replacement for the Alero was seen in 2001 with the unveiling of the Oldsmobile O4 concept, designed by Bertone. The car was an open-top 4-seater with European styling featuring some Oldsmobile traits, and powered by the latest Ecotec I4 engine. The name had multiple meanings, including "Oldsmobile 4-Seater" as well as implying 2004 as a planned date for production.
However, the O4 concept was unveiled a few weeks after General Motors announced that they would be phasing out the Oldsmobile brand, meaning that production possibilities of the O4 would never be realized. Because of this, a second generation Alero was never built and the car was phased out with the Oldsmobile brand in 2004.
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Common 1998 Oldsmobile Alero problems
The Oldsmobile Alero, produced from 1999 to 2004, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners.
- Engine Problems: The engine-related issues are the most frequently reported problems, with 322 complaints in total.
- Electrical Problems: Electrical issues are the second most common problem, with 297 complaints.
- Interior Problems: Interior issues account for 46% of the total complaints, with 148 instances.
- Cooling System Problems: Cooling system issues make up 16% of the total complaints, with 50 instances.
In addition to these problems, the instrument cluster in Oldsmobile sedans, including the Alero, can experience common issues such as speedometer failure, fuel gauge malfunction, temperature gauge failure, and faulty warning lights in the instrument cluster.
Speedometer failure is a common problem, where the speedometer may stop working entirely or give incorrect readings, which can be a safety issue and affect the vehicle's performance and safety.
Fuel gauge malfunction can cause unexpected running out of gas, leading to potential safety hazards and engine damage if the engine is run completely out of gas.
Temperature gauge failure can lead to engine damage or failure due to overheating, as the driver may not be able to tell if the engine is overheating.
Faulty warning lights in the instrument cluster can result in the driver not receiving important alerts about problems with the vehicle, such as low oil pressure, a malfunctioning fuel system, or an overheating engine.
These instrument cluster problems are often caused by damaged sensors or burned-out bulbs, and digital displays may flicker or fail entirely, making it difficult for the driver to read important information about the vehicle's performance.
In summary, the Oldsmobile Alero has several common problems, with engine and electrical issues being the most prevalent. The instrument cluster can also experience problems such as speedometer failure, fuel gauge malfunction, temperature gauge failure, and faulty warning lights in the instrument cluster.
Is an Alero a good car?
The Alero is a solid car.
I have owned my 2003 Alero GLS for six years now. I bought it used. The main reason I chose the Alero was it handled great; and the one I picked had a very clean, and quiet, running engine with reasonable power.
Is an Oldsmobile a reliable car?
Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Oldsmobile score is 3.73 while the Intrigue comes in at 4.25.
What happened to Alero cars?
The final car left the Lansing Assembly Plant on April 29, 2004 and was then given to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum.
What engines came in Oldsmobile Alero?
Oldsmobile's most popular model has been the compact front-wheel-drive Alero coupe and sedan. Both are offered with a four-cylinder or 3.4-liter V-6 engine and either a manual or four-speed-automatic transmission.
Is an Alero a good car?
The Alero is a solid car.
I have owned my 2003 Alero GLS for six years now. I bought it used. The main reason I chose the Alero was it handled great; and the one I picked had a very clean, and quiet, running engine with reasonable power.
What happened to Alero cars?
The final car left the Lansing Assembly Plant on April 29, 2004 and was then given to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum.
What engines came in Oldsmobile Alero?
Oldsmobile's most popular model has been the compact front-wheel-drive Alero coupe and sedan. Both are offered with a four-cylinder or 3.4-liter V-6 engine and either a manual or four-speed-automatic transmission.
Why will my Oldsmobile Alero not start?
The most common reasons an Oldsmobile Alero won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
1998 Oldsmobile Alero car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Oldsmobile Alero problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Oldsmobile Alero vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Oldsmobile Alero complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Oldsmobile Alero.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-11-10
- VIN: 1G3NL12E7YC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS PERTAINED TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY. AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM WHEEL. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF ROAD. GENERAL AMERI TIRES, 400SL #T2257515. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1998 Oldsmobile Alero problems:
Q&A: Common Problems with 2004 Oldsmobile Alero 4 Door
Oct 2, 2014 ... The door locks in my 2004 Olds Alero have not been working properly either with the remote or with the electric - Answered by a verified ...
Oldsmobile Alero Problems and Complaints - 19 Issues
Top Oldsmobile Alero Problems · No Start Due to Failed Passlock Sensor · Turn Signal Switch May Fail and Cause Hazard Flasher to Click · Front Windows Come Off ...
Q&A: 2001 Oldsmobile Alero - Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Oct 16, 2014 ... Have a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero 2.4 L 4 cyl, the car's RPMs go up and down at a stop and stand still and acts like it - Answered by a verified ...
1999 Oldsmobile Alero - Regular Car Reviews : r/cars
Nov 18, 2019 ... 1999 Oldsmobile Alero - Regular Car Reviews. video. Play ... The 1998 Olds Cutlass based on the Malibu. ... engine with a lot more reliability ...
02 Alero Turn signal/hazards work intermittent - Oldsmobile Forum ...
Sep 4, 2009 ... Oldsmobile Forum - Oldsmobile ... Service Bulletin 04098A covers the Alero turn signal problem. This is a very common problem ... 1998 turn signal ...
Other years of Oldsmobile Alero
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