FaultScore

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva engine problems

22 of the 108 complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva are about the engine — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 30,000 miles.

D

22

Complaints

1

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 7 31.8%
Cooling System 6 27.3%
Engine 3 13.6%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 3 13.6%
Radiator Assembly 2 9.1%
Exhaust System 1 4.5%

Engine & Cooling across every Oldsmobile Achieva year

1992 21 22.1%
1993 11 11.6%
1994 14 14.7%
1995 11 11.6%
1996 16 16.8%
1997 22 23.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Mississauga, UN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

(1)54,971 MILES "LOW COOLANT LIGHT" DEX-COOL COOLANT GUARANTEED FOR 5 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES REPORTED "DIRTY COOLANT" FLUSHED AND REPLACED. STATED NO LEAKS,(2) INTERMITTENT "LOW COOLANT LIGHT" TOPPED UP "DEX-COOL" AS PER MANUFACTURES INSTRUCTIONS. (3)56,000 MILES REPLACED HOSE THAT HAD DISINTEGRATED (4)59,350 MILES "COOLANT LEAK" REPLACED WATER PUMP, REPLACED SERP. BELT SATURATED WITH COOLANT. POSSIBLE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK! ENGINE SHAMPOO BECAUSE OF COOLANT SATURATION.(5)62,370MILES "COOLANT LEAK" REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND GASKET REPLACED DEX-COOL FOR THE 4TH TIME. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH DEX-COOL COOLANT CAUSING COOLANT SYSTEM TO BREAK DOWN. (6) POSSIBLE RAD LEAK!!!

NHTSA complaint #10071328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Commack, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WATER PUMP IS LEAKING AND MAKING BEARING NOISE THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS IS $600.

NHTSA complaint #10062705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

High Point, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE THE OIL PRESSURE EXCEEDED ITS NORMAL RANGE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR AND CLEANED THE FUEL TANK, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A HARD SHIFT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10019548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

High Point, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE THE OIL PRESSURE EXCEEDED ITS NORMAL RANGE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR AND CLEANED THE FUEL TANK, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A HARD SHIFT. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10019548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles NEW Castle, DE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I JUST GOT WORK DONE TO IT 9/13/02 THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, AND TIMING CHAIN. WHEN I FIRST START UP THE CAR AND DRIVE ABOUT TWO BLOCKS THE TEMPERATURE GO STRAIGHT TO THE HALF MARK AND WORK IT'S WAY TOWARDS THE HOT TEMPERATURE. THE CAR GETS HOT TOO FAST. I HAVE SPENT $600.00 ON THIS CAR SO FAR AND I JUST BOUGHT IT. THE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. IT WAS A THREE MONTH WARRANTY ON THE CAR. PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767158

NHTSA complaint #10007410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sandy, UT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING 70-73 MPH, AND ENGAGED IN CRUISE CONTROL. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8007046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brigantine, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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.

Brigantine, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

Augusta, ME

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE HAD NO HEAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP/ GASKETS, AND SEALS HOWEVER, . PROBLEM REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8006739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Augusta, ME

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VEHICLE HAD NO HEAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP/ GASKETS, AND SEALS HOWEVER, . PROBLEM REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8006739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE STALLED IN OCT 2000. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. ON 14 MAR 2001, CONSUMER WAS AT STOP LIGHT, APPLIED GAS AND VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. THEN, PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AGAIN NOTHING. CONSUMER PUT BACK IN DRIVE, AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, ENGINE REVVED. DEALER AGAIN FOUND NOTHING. *AK COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A COOLANT SMELL PRESENT IN VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED COOLANT SYSTEM; WATER PUMP, COOLANT PUMP, TIMING CHAIN, VEHICLE STALLED AND DEALER REPLACED THE BELT TENSIONER. VEHICLE WOULDN'T ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR, DEALER REPLACED A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE CONSOLE SHIFTER AND FOUND SHIFTER BOOT COMING OUT, DEALER INSTALLED NEW SHIFTER. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAS ROUGH IDLE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #883255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

DEALER LET HIS GIRLFRIEND AND WHOEVER DRIVE THE CAR AND PUT 2000 MILES ON IT PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. THEY LET IT GET TO LOW ON OIL , THUS CAUSING THIS ENGINE FAILURE. HE REFUSES TO REFUND MY MONEY OR PAY FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE ALSO BOUGHT A CAR FROM HIM AND HER ENGINE WENT BAD ALSO, HE IS AN ALCHOLIC AND JUST GOT OF JAIL AS OF THIS WRITING FOR HIS FOURTH DWI THIS YEAR, 2000. HE FORGETS WHAT HE TELLS PEOPLE.

NHTSA complaint #722882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bledsoe, KY Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALLING. ALSO, ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF, INDICATING BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OR MORE OCCASIONS, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND.

NHTSA complaint #861028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valparaiso, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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.

Suisun, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

Crown Point, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE PASSENGER'S SEAT SLIDES AROUND. WOULD FAIL TO LOCK AFTER BEING PUSHED BACK OR FORWARD. THE WINDOW FELL OUT OF TRACK AFTER GOING DOWN OR UP. THE ANTI-FREEZE WOULD LEAK ON SIDE OF CAB. THE TRUNK FAILS TO STAY LOCKED AFTER BEING SHUT. IT KEEPS POPPING OPEN. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK ON DEFECTS.

NHTSA complaint #852042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suisun, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

Moreno VAL, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL PRESSURE IS TOO HIGH DUE TO OIL PUMP FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #606573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Bedford, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT WATER GOT INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THOUGH THE AIR CLEANER SYSTEM, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #829401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salina, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, LOOSES POWER AND TEMP. GAUGE RUNS HIGH, LIGHTS DIM WHEN DECELLERATING.

NHTSA complaint #539880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva problems

← Full 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva report