Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Oldsmobile Alero owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The intake manifold gasket is failing, introducing coolant to engine oil. This problem is a result of a poor design. General motors has been aware of the problem for years. However, GM currently does not have a recall on these vehicles. While the part itself isn't costly, the labor to repair it is very intensive, and has been quoted around $800. Recalls should be mandated in all cases of incompetence, not solely when it affects public safety!
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that while attempting to park, smoke started to emit from under the hood and through out the vehicle vents. The fire department was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.
Key turning car on in ignition gets jammed and finally turns after several attempts but now car tries to turn over but won't start. Only have one key. Also turn signal switch works intermittently and I have to turn on hazards to get to operate . Center console door loose. Ignition key recall 14350, center console recall oov140000, exterior lighting recall 03043, hazard /turn signal recall ?
The GM passkey 2 security feature acts up constantly on these cars including the intrigue, malibu, Cadillac. The security light comes on and disables the vehicle and a 40 minute relearn procedure must be completed each time. Happens to my vehicle 2-4 times a week.
I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. I just recently bought this car used with approximately 35,000 miles in October 2003. At around 40,000 miles in February of 2004, I discovered that I had an coolant leak. While the manual says with the "dexcool antifreeze" I should not have had to replace any coolant until 150,000 miles, I had refilled around three times within around 4,000 miles. I took it to a GM dealer who informed me that I needed a new intake manifold gasket, along with many other small parts associated with the I.m. Gasket, that came to a total bill of around $600. My intake had to be completed taken apart and resealed because the dealer said that Oldsmobile had used a "weak sealant". I have filed a complaint with Oldsmobile, but was informed that it would not be a recall until more people complained to them. …
Lower intake manifold gasket failure causing leakage of coolant into the engine and onto pavement. This type of gasket failure is unacceptable at such low miles. August update: since filing the complaint, I had the intake manifold gasket replaced (along with the other gaskets, seals, and rings that are typically replaced in this procedure) by the olds dealer here in my area. This was done at mileage 51947 on 2/11/03 for my 2000 olds Alero that was purchased new on 7/6/2000. As for cost, I was able to do some negotiating with the service manager. About one month earlier, I had taken the car in to get the drivers side window repaired. It had fallen out of track (for the second time), and I raised the issue that this was unacceptable, and that their competitor cars do not do this (non GM vehicles). …
The 3.4l v6 engine regularly lost coolant, and the reservoir had to be refilled about once a month. Also noticed thick white goo on the oil cap (but not on the oil dipstick), and heard a ticking sound after starting the engine, which went away after the engine warmed up. The dealer said the head gasket was leaking, and the repair cost $1,100. The engine had 53,000 miles at the time of the repair, which is well beyond the warranty, but this type of problem would have developed several thousand miles ago, before any symptoms were noticeable. …
I bought a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero about 3 years ago, I noticed at the beginning that the turn signals nor the hazard lights worked. We have done everything from changing bulbs,checking fuses and ground wires to no avail. I recently started having another problem where the oil has backed up into my oil reservoir, my car has not overheated and no oil leaks. That is how I came to find out that there had been a recall on the hazard switch on the Alero. I contacted GM and gave them all the information that they needed. After being on hold for about 15 minutes, they then told me that it was not my make or model that had been recalled. The description on their website pin pointed my problem to a tee! And they are telling me that it is not their fault. My car has 91,000 miles. VIN: [redacted]. …
1. Not sure what events have caused the engine failure. 2. My car shuts off while I'm driving. The steering wheel locks and I have to pull over to the shoulder, put the car in park and try to start the engine again. It has happened numerous times while driving on side roads under 40mph, but recently happened while I was driving on the highway at 60mph. This issue happens at least twice a week, sometimes repeatedly in the same day. This is a very dangerous problem because there is no warning signs that it is going to happen. I was very luck to be in the slow lane so I could pull over to the shoulder without having to weave through traffic without being able to control the car. 3. We have brought the car into two different repair shops and neither of them were able to pinpoint the problem. They gave us several "maybe" solutions, but were stumped as to what the true problem was. …
I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero with 55,000 miles on it that is leaking coolant. I have brought it to 2 different auto locations, one a dealer snd the other a mechanic whom I trust. Both places agreed that the intake manifold gasket has worn out. I am now in the process of getting the gasket replaced which will cost me $600.00, not including the towing charges and diagnostic expenditures that I have gone through. The mechanic who is replacing this gasket said that this probobly about the 15th Alero that he has had to do the same replacement work to and that he has read that this a common defect for this car. The first time that the car wa towed, because the engine coolant leaked all over the garage of a friend's house, it was taken to a pep boys shop and he also said that he had read in car magazines that this was a common problem for old's aleros from the year 2000-2003. …
Engine complaints in other Alero years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero, 16% of the model year's 557 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Oldsmobile Alero engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Oldsmobile Alero, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Oldsmobile Alero engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.