FaultScore

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva electrical problems

25 of the 108 complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva are about the electrical system — 23% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,081 miles.

C

25

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 6 24.0%
Module 4 16.0%
Ignition 3 12.0%
Interior/Under Dash 3 12.0%
Electrical System 3 12.0%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 8.0%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 2 8.0%
Front Underhood 1 4.0%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 4.0%

Electrical System across every Oldsmobile Achieva year

1992 15 12.4%
1994 17 14.0%
1995 22 18.2%
1996 29 24.0%
1997 25 20.7%
1998 13 10.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 100,000 miles Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION REPEATEDLY TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EIGHT TIMES AND REPAIRED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE THE HORN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH AND STATED THAT SHE WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY WHETHER HER VIN WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF UPDATED 07/08/11

NHTSA complaint #10386647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Fort Myers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION REPEATEDLY TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EIGHT TIMES AND REPAIRED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE THE HORN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH AND STATED THAT SHE WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO VERIFY WHETHER HER VIN WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF UPDATED 07/08/11

NHTSA complaint #10386647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Centennial, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V070000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10204357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,848 miles Cleveland, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

CAR WOULD NOT START SO WE TOOK THE CAR IN ON 1/22/2004 AND HAD TO HAVE AN IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. COST $492.45 ON 2/6/2004 ONCE AGAIN CAR WOULD NOT START , SO WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO A DIFFERENT SHOP AND HAD TO HAVE THE ECM MODULE REPLACED . COST $629.28 THE TRUNK OF THIS CAR FILLS WITH WATER, HAS POWER SURGES THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM--NOTICEABLE WHEN THE HEAT, DEFROST OR FAN HAS TO BE USED. ON OCCASION THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT AND I FOUND OUT THAT WE ARE THE FOURTH OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO, AS I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE BEEN SOLD A"LEMON"? THE VIN OF THIS CAR IS [XXX] THANK YOU FOR ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME. [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/27/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10059102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Linden, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

VEHICLE BATTERY SHORTED OUT WHICH RESULTED IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS CAUSED POWER DOORS TO BE INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE, DOORS COULDN'T BE OPENED FROM INSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10024328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,081 miles Lebanon, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING.

NHTSA complaint #10002622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,081 miles Lebanon, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING.

NHTSA complaint #10002622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,081 miles Lebanon, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING.

NHTSA complaint #10002622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Smyrna BCH, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WITH CAUSE UNDETECTED BY DEALERSHIP. HIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. ALSO, SUBJECT TO ERRATIC OPERATION OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/CONSOLE. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8016633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Smyrna BCH, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WITH CAUSE UNDETECTED BY DEALERSHIP. HIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. ALSO, SUBJECT TO ERRATIC OPERATION OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/CONSOLE. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE UNLESS THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8016633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 02V070000 IGNITION CAMPAIGN, HOWEVER WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER, DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PERFORMED RECALL UNLESS CONSUMER PAID FOR LABOR. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT

NHTSA complaint #566009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Georgetown, AR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR RELAY SWITCH, TOOK TO DEALER THEY REPLACED RELAY, AND PRESENTLY VEHICLE IS DISCHARGING. VEHICLE WAS FINE UNTIL DEALER REPLACED RELAY. BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, AND VEHICLE IS NOT CHARGING.*AKCONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #8011753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

DEALER: COURTESEY CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE, ORLANDO, FL; PHONE# 407/295-7000 WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER $600.00 FOR RECALL REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8010336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brigantine, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

DEFECTIVE ENGINE HAD STALLING PROBLEMS REPLACE ALTERNATOR AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CUSTOMER STATES HEARS A BANGING NOISE WHEN STEPS ON BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY, FRONT PADS WORN, CUSTOMER DENIED WORK AWARE NEED FRONT BRAKE. PUMP LEAKING, REMOVE AND REPLACE WATER PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #9005223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waycross, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

PCM/TCM REPLACED TWICE AS WELL AS IGNITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PROBLEM. NOW I AM TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IS IN FAILURE AS WELL. PCM REPROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT A SECOND TIME. CAR HAS BEEN IN INTERNAL FAILURE OFF AND ON, I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WOULD GIVE OUT ON ME. CAR AT DEALERSHIP NOW FOR THE 7TH TIME IN 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #743211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waycross, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

PCM/TCM REPLACED TWICE AS WELL AS IGNITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS PROBLEM. NOW I AM TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IS IN FAILURE AS WELL. PCM REPROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT A SECOND TIME. CAR HAS BEEN IN INTERNAL FAILURE OFF AND ON, I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WOULD GIVE OUT ON ME. CAR AT DEALERSHIP NOW FOR THE 7TH TIME IN 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #743211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valparaiso, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

HAVE CONTACTED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, DEALER SOLD CAR WITH SPARK PLUG MISFIRES, STALLING, AND A BADLY NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUSH

NHTSA complaint #720024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Captian Cook, HI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BETWEEN 30-50 MPH THERE WAS A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER EXCEPT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY DIE. DEALER WAS TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #857617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suisun, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #97V05900 FOR UNDER HOOD FUSE. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IN TURN, CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED NO RECALL FOR FUSE CENTER LOCATED ON VEHICLE BY VIN #. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDED: IGNITION COIL BURNED OUT COMPLETELY, CAUSING SPARK PLUGS TO GO BAD/HAD WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT REPLACED/CROSS CASTER AT PERMANENT RIGHT ANGLE WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULL RIGHT, AND FRONT BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CALIPERS/ROTORS WERE NOT REPLACED, AND ,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #851759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suisun, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #97V05900 FOR UNDER HOOD FUSE. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO IN TURN, CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. WAS INFORMED NO RECALL FOR FUSE CENTER LOCATED ON VEHICLE BY VIN #. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDED: IGNITION COIL BURNED OUT COMPLETELY, CAUSING SPARK PLUGS TO GO BAD/HAD WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT REPLACED/CROSS CASTER AT PERMANENT RIGHT ANGLE WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO PULL RIGHT, AND FRONT BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CALIPERS/ROTORS WERE NOT REPLACED, AND ,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #851759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suisun, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

IGNITION COIL COMPLETELY BURNED CAUSING SPARK PLUGS TO GO BAD SOONER THAN NEEDED. THE CRANK SHAFT, WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CROSS CASTER IS AT PERMANENT RIGHT ANGLE WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO PULL RIGHT. NO FRONT BRAKES. CALIPERS & ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT NOT CORRECTED. *AK RIGHT REAR DOOR MISALIGNED, CAUSING DIFFICULTY CLOSING, RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR. UNDERHOOD FUSE RECALL, REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #850477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suisun, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

IGNITION COIL COMPLETELY BURNED CAUSING SPARK PLUGS TO GO BAD SOONER THAN NEEDED. THE CRANK SHAFT, WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CROSS CASTER IS AT PERMANENT RIGHT ANGLE WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO PULL RIGHT. NO FRONT BRAKES. CALIPERS & ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT NOT CORRECTED. *AK RIGHT REAR DOOR MISALIGNED, CAUSING DIFFICULTY CLOSING, RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR. UNDERHOOD FUSE RECALL, REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #850477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mammoth, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT. CONSUMER JUMPED OUT AND CHECKED SIDE PANEL ON DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT WAS VERY HOT. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #850236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Idianapolos, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE TRAVELING 45-50 MPH THE SPEED WILL DROP TO 10. ONCE VEHICLE LOSES POWER ONLY HAZARD LIGHTS COME ON, AND VEHICLE COASTS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #849853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dekalb, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD STOP ACCELERATING & WOULD SHUT DOWN. SOMETIMES EITHER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OR BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR NON ACCELERATING & THE PANEL LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #836327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva problems

← Full 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva report