9.0
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,450
- Average Mileage:
- 90,750 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 4 complaints
Most common solutions:
- gaskets must be replaced to prevent other damage (4 reports)
My engine coolant was mysteriously running low but frequently shut off a little while after warming up so i didn't really pay much attention to it and attributed it to an electrical problem. However, this continued to happen until my engine started overheating and i had to take it to a mechanic. They said that there was a leak in the intake manifold which was going to cost lots of money so they attempted to seal the leak. After about two months, the leak continued and eventually I had to have it replaced. It cost about $1800. Then the engine started bucking and the "check engine" light started flashing indicating a misfire and i had to have all the spark plugs replaced and the hoses since they had corroded with time, costing a total of over $200. The problem is currently continuing and it's driving me crazy! I was raised on the "buy american" concept but never knew that it was gonna end up like this. My car only has 66,000 miles on it and it's costing me lots of money. The next time I'm going with a non-american car.... all of the plants are in the U. S. anyway!
- Mike U., Levittown, PA, US
I expericed the 2 issues that Karla S. has. The first was the horn going off by itself (and for some reason it only went off late at night) and the second issue of course is replacing the intake manifold gasket because the engine coolant was leaking in with the oil and of course if you leave it like that then the oil can't do it's job and will eventually cause engine failure. Now my car has 124000 miles and here I am replacing another intake manifold gasket because my coolant was mysteriously gone causing my engine to get really hot. I had to keep filling my car up with coolant and had not found any indication of where the coolant was leaking. I now know it was slowly leaking into the engine and mixing with the oil (again) and I have to replace the gasket. I have heard this is a known issue with GM cars other than my make and model from 1995-2003. Now I will never buy another Oldsmobile and if I ever purchase another GM car I would do some serious research. At least now I know I am not just crazy and thinking my car is breaking on me like my Chevy Cavalier (1992).
- yazzie, Albuquerque, NM, US
I had to have these replaced a SECOND time at 85000 miles. Previous replacement was less than 2 years and 30K miles prior!!! This one really is awful because of the cost.....and it is 90% labor because of how long it takes to get to the darned things.
Electrical issues that make cold weather a massive problem also occur (presumed electrical short will cause horn to go off non-stop in very cold weather).
I was raised an "oldsmobile girl" but if they were still around I would never buy another after this experience. I plan to start researching lemon laws in case this happens a third time.
- Karla S., Gaithersburg, MD, US
I had the lower intake gaskets fixed for almost $900 and now it is leaking oil. So, I will have to have it repaired again.
- staceytx, San Marcos, TX, US