Trending Problems
A few problems that keep popping up. There's plenty more where that came from.
The Worst Problems for Every Oldsmobile Model and Generation
Car problems happen. But there's something we can do about it.
By matching owner complaints with recall, investigation and technical service bulletin data we've come up with a list of the most common Oldsmobile problems for every model and generation. We've even ranked vehicles by their reliability.
What Owners Complain About the Most
Sorting out which topics, problems, and model years have the most overall complaints from owners on CarComplaints.com.
Worst Issues (see all)
- 2001 Alero turns over but won't start 119 (100%)
- 2002 Alero car will not start, security light is flashing 61 (51%)
- 2001 Alero engine turns over but won't start 49 (41%)
- 2001 Alero security light flashing, engine turns over won't start 46 (39%)
- 2002 Alero engine turns over but won't start 38 (32%)
- 2003 Alero passlock problem, won't start & anti-theft light is on 36 (30%)
- 2001 Alero leaking coolant, intake manifold gasket failure 26 (22%)
What Breaks (see all)
- Engine 483 (100%)
- Electrical 380 (79%)
- Interior 172 (36%)
- Cooling System 94 (19%)
- Windows 82 (17%)
- HVAC 57 (12%)
- Lights 55 (11%)
The Least Reliable Oldsmobile Models
Some models just can't seem to get out of their own way. We've created a list of the least reliable GMC models using data such as complaint volume, average cost of repairs, age of the car when it breaks down, and recall frequency.
Key Numbers
12 models
Each with their own trim levels, bodystyles, and special blend of headaches.
18 generations
A group of years for a specific model with the same design, features, and problems.
15 model years
Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.
1,395 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
2,969 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
106 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.
Worst Generations
A generation is a group of model years where little, if any, changes were made. They tend to have the same problems and some generations have horrible reputations for reliability. Here's a handful you should avoid.
1st Generation Alero
- Years
- 2000–2004
- Reliability
- 18th of 18
- PainRank™
- 16.34
- Complaints
- 959
1st Generation Intrigue
- Years
- 1998–2002
- Reliability
- 17th of 18
- PainRank™
- 4.12
- Complaints
- 88
6th Generation Cutlass
- Years
- 1997–1999
- Reliability
- 16th of 18
- PainRank™
- 3.83
- Complaints
- 39
1st Generation Aurora
- Years
- 1995–1999
- Reliability
- 15th of 18
- PainRank™
- 3.24
- Complaints
- 40
Recent Oldsmobile News
There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.
Olds
obile brought the Cutlass nameplate back for one last hurrah after a divergence into the Calais/Ciera/Supreme era. There was hope that the [6th generation](/models/cutlass/generations/6.md %}) could compete with the Accords and Camrys of the world, but after a mind-numbingly boring three-year run the Cutlass was retired.
Or was it? I honestly don't know. If a new Cutlass was released I doubt anyone would notice anyway. As Jason Torchinsky explains, the car really was the dullest of blades:
The styling of the car is timeless, in the sense that it was eye-injuringly boring back in the 1990s and is still as bad now, and no amount of time will ever, ever change that.
Even owners couldn't muster up the energy to complain about the darn thing, there are only a few dozen complaints about the entire generation. I'm guessing owners had more problems than that but simply ran out of the energy to care.
keep readingcombined
population of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, Vermont (Yes, there are people -- not just cows -- in VT) and Wyoming.
- The number of calories my Uncle Hank ate over the holiday weekend. Seriously, that man is a bottomless pit.
- 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu
- 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
- 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero
- 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am
- 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala
- 2000-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
- GM has not announced when the recall will begin
It should be in the next couple months but it's probably hard to gauge when you have 29 million vehicles in your repair queue. - Keep an eye on your mailbox for an official recall notice with more details
Not literally, though. Putting your eye on the mailbox sounds painful and will probably worry the neighbors. - GM is stressing the importance of removing all items from your key ring, leaving only the vehicle key
At least until your ignition is fixed. Sorry bowling league keychain -- you have to go.
According to GM, this latest round of problems involves mostly ignition switch related issues that are responsible for at least 7 crashes, 8 injuries and 3 deaths. The full list and details can be found here.
Unintended Key Rotation ∞
The largest part of the recall involves 7.6 million vehicles that suffer from, what GM is calling, "unintended ignition key rotation." Of course, there's another name for that too -- "unintended holy %$#! my car just shut itself off on the highway." This is dangerous and affects a wide range of cars:
What To Do Next ∞
Have a complaint about your vehicle?
The best way to find out what's wrong with a vehicle is from the people who drive them. Not only do owner complaints help us rank vehicles by reliability, but they're often used to spark class-action lawsuits and warranty extensions. Plus, they're a great way to vent.