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: 13 of 63 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 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.
4 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
63 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
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, CA…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #850477
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1999
Electrical System
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850236
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999
Electrical System
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849853
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AT 30 MPH . UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS IT SHOULD HAVE. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. CHILD WAS THROWN INTO WINDSHIELD, AND SUFFERED A CRUSHED CHEST DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848986
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH CONSUMER HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISON, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.WEATHER WAS CLEAR . *AK
NHTSA ODI #847936
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR REPLACED 3 X IN 16 MONTHS
NHTSA ODI #709665
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Visibility
WHILE THE HEAT IS ON OR OFF BUT ON HEAT, THERE IS A NASTY ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO GET SICK ,AND MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #832168
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA ODI #544898
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836327
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1999
Parking Brake
EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL TO TRAVEL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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