1993 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Oldsmobile Achieva, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1324.1%
- Engine814.8%
- Electrical611.1%
- Visibility47.4%
- Fuel system35.6%
- Interior & seats35.6%
- Steering35.6%
- Transmission35.6%
- Body & structure23.7%
- Seat belts23.7%
- Suspension23.7%
- Heating & air conditioning23.7%
- Powertrain (other)11.9%
- Driver assistance11.9%
- Airbags11.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: CONSUMER PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND APPLIED BRAKES AND HAD NO BRAKES, AND HIT A CORNER OF A HOUSE. HAD NO FLUID IN MASTER CYLINDER, AND THERE WAS A SMALL PUDDLE UNDER THE WHEEL. CONSUMER PUT FLUID IN THE CAR AND THEN VEHICLE HIT A TREE.*AK
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR DOES NOT HEAT DUE TO COOLANT LOSS CAUSED BY CRACKED HEAD.I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE QUAD 4 ENGINE IN GM "N" CARS SUCH AS THE ACHIEVA.*AK
REPEATED INCIDENTS OF OVERHEATING; HEATER CORE REPLACED TWICE; INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; RADIATOR CORED OUT TWICE; WATER PUMP REPLACED TWICE; PROBLEM PERSISTS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
NEUTRAL START SAFETY SWITCH FRACTURED, CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START.VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 93V153000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR IGNITION SYSTEM LOCATED UNDER GLOVE BOX WAS CORRODED. THE RESULTING HEAT DUE TO THE ADDED RESISTANCE IN THE CIRCUIT MELTED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IF NOT CORRECTED. ALSO CAUSES INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING, ETC.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW KEEPS FALLIING OFF THE TRACK , CONSUMER HAS REPLACED WINDOW 5 TIMES WITHIN 4 YEARS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
REPEATED INCIDENTS OF OVERHEATING; HEATER CORE REPLACED TWICE; INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; RADIATOR CORED OUT TWICE; WATER PUMP REPLACED TWICE; PROBLEM PERSISTS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS STOPPED BY SCHOOL BUS SIGN. VEHICLE WAS REARENDED & WAS THROWN FORWARD. DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE & THEN THREW DRIVER BACKWARDS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DRIVER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO ROAD HIGHWAY WITH A PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT. ALL OF SUDDEN THE TRUCK STOPPED, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND SLID INTO THE VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. BUT THE OTHER CAR, DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH FAILED TO STOP AND HIT THE ACHIEVA. THREW THE CONSUMER FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS, AND THE SEAT COLLASPED. HASN'T CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
WHILE DRIVING HEARD NOISES COMING FROM STEERING, SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL. TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC SAID THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT REPARABLE. THERE WAS A STRUCTURAL FLAW, AND CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH GOING UP HILL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T DISENGAGE . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FIRE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE POWER LOCKS. THIS INFORMATION WAS RECEIVED FROM THE CONSUMER'S FIRE DEPARTMENT. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK
PAINT IS COMING OFF TOP OF VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE, SWAY BAR CLAPS BROKE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER TURNED ON.
AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. *SKD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK, MY BACK WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN,THE ROOF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE,MY SPRING BROKE, MY BRAKES HAVE WENT NUMEROUS TIMES, MY STEERING LINE SPLIT. MY REAL CONCERN IS MY SEATBELTS DON'T WORK I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM FIXED I NEED INFO ON HOW MY DOOR HANDLE ALSO SNAPPED AND THE ENGINE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T DISENGAGE . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND HIT A SLIPPERY SPOT IN HIGHWAY, CAR SPUN AROUND AND THEN WENT INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .