Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 70 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
70 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1999
Power Train
EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS GIVEN TO ME AT NO CHARGE FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THIS WAS FOR THE FACTORY DEFECT THAT RESULTED IN THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAD. WAS TOLD PERSONALLY BY OLDSMOBILE THAT CARS WILL FAIL, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEMS WHICH I ENCOUNTERED DUE TO A LA…
Read full complaint
EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS GIVEN TO ME AT NO CHARGE FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THIS WAS FOR THE FACTORY DEFECT THAT RESULTED IN THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAD. WAS TOLD PERSONALLY BY OLDSMOBILE THAT CARS WILL FAIL, AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEMS WHICH I ENCOUNTERED DUE TO A LACK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSIONS, CAUSING THE REPLACEMENT OF SOME OF THE GEARS AND MISCELLANEOUS PARTS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NOT AVAILABLE, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPAIR THE CURRENT ONE TO WHICH I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH. (BEFORE AND AFTER THEY FIXED IT). MOST ALL, THE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY OLDSMOBILE RESULTED IN SOME FUTURE FAILURE OF SOMETHING. THE LAST TIME THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN TO THEM WAS WHEN I WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A BAD RIGHT AXEL SEAL. PREVIOUS REPAIRS INCLUDED THE REVERSE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING, THE SWITCH HAD COME OFF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AS A RESULT. THE CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH ONLY ABOUT 4 OUNCES OF FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN THE REPLACMENT OF THE GEARS (SYSTEM HOLDS 2 QUARTS!). SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS FIXED FROM A LACK OF FLUID, THE STICK SHIFT CAME DISCONNECTED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR, CAR STUCK IN REVERSE, HAD TO BE TOWED. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS GOOD UNTIL JUNE OF 2000. IN WHICH CASE I AM AFRAID TO OWN THE CAR ANY LONGER. THE GAS TANK DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THAT!
NHTSA ODI #701380
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1998
Power Train
THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING BROKE TWICE, CAUSING NOISE AND EVENTUALLY MAY RESULT IN THE WHEEL FALLING OFF AND AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832438
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1998
SteeringStructure
STEERING COLUMN CAME LOOSE, AND THE CONSUMER HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPAIRED. ALSO, ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK WNENEVER THE CONSUMER WOULD GET LOCKED OUT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829864
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Electrical System
WHEN THE BATTERY DIES IN THE VEHICLE THE POWER WINDOWS BECAME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828172
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1998
Latches/locks/linkagesSeatsStructure
SEAT TRACK FAILED CAUSING MOVEMENT OF SEAT WHILE DRIVING, SEAT COMES OFF OF TRACK.
NHTSA ODI #539883
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVER WENT THROUGH A FAIRLY LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ABOUT 2-3 INCHES DEEP, THE WATER WAS SUCKED UP THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE WHICH BENT A ROD IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822486
Mileage unknown · May 18, 1998
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK UNLESS THEY ARE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823404
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #534759
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES
NHTSA ODI #532895
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 1998
Visibility
WINDOW CONTINUOUSLY COME OFF TRACK AND BEND THE SCISSOR BRACKET.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRODUCING HEAT THAT CAN MELT SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT AND VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION (ADEQUATE RESERVE CAPACITY, OR COLD CRANKING AMPS). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA00007 · Steering Column Fires
Opened Mar 3, 2000 · Closed Feb 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
1995 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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