10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 94,256 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owned a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering wheel followed by flames. There were no injuries. The contact also stated that there was a shortage with the blinkers, which activated intermittently. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
- Flint , MI, USA
The contact owns 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact was driving 10 mph when the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was unable to turn left or right. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a private mechanic for inspection. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 136,000.
- Milwaukie, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated that the steering brackets attached to the frame were fractured. The steering wheel was able to be turned, but the wheels would not move. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was confirmed that the rust was what caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Updated 11/22/11 the consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 11/30/11
- Wilcott, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. The contact stated when he attempted to move the steering wheel either left or right, it would make a loud clunking noise. Also, the wheels did not move when he moved the steering wheel. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact the bracket that holds the rack and pinion together had rusted and caused it to fracture. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.
- Fremont, OH, USA
While backing out of a parking space, steering ability had severely reduced to nil.. there was no warning in feel, just a clunk sound. After immediate stop, steering was checked again by turning steering wheel. No response in either direction. Vehicle had to be towed from area which was semi blocking traffic due to the inability to steer vehicle. Auto tech had said the sub frame holding key steering components was rusted beyond repair and had to be replaced. I had just read local news involving, a now deceased woman, hitting a school bus nearly head on while changing lanes and for some reason continued into opposite traffic while driving the same type of vehicle.
- Painesvillle, OH, USA
Horn of the car did not work after service for replacement of flasher unit. No trauma or injury to car. Inspection of car, it was found to be cracked steering wheel at the base and it damaged the horn ring. We were told that we could not drive the car until fixed as unsafe to drive. The dealer stated they had only ever seen 1 other such case in 37 years of service. Car must have had a defective steering wheel which may have caused an accident, injury or death.
- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
When the steering wheel was tilted, it caused the vehicle to veer left to right intermittently.
- Folson, LA, USA
- Indianapolis, IN, USA