1994 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 1994 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
- Steering1520.3%
- Electrical1418.9%
- Brakes1216.2%
- Engine1114.9%
- Airbags912.2%
- Transmission34.1%
- Visibility22.7%
- Body & structure22.7%
- Interior & seats22.7%
- Exterior lighting11.4%
- Suspension11.4%
- Fuel system11.4%
- Heating & air conditioning11.4%
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND WAS TOTALLED. NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK DEALER CONTACTED. STEERING WHEEL BROKE DUE TO IMPACT. INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. *TT
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A STOP, THE STEERING COLUMN FELL INTO MY LAP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND WAS INFORMED OF A SET OF 4 PINS THAT WORK THEMSELVES LOOSE. THE DEALER TOLD ME ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IT HAPPENS RATHER OFTEN. THEY PUT THE PINS BACK IN AND GLUED THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY WOULD NOT FALL OUT AGAIN. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY WOBBLY AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD ME THE GLUE MUST HAVE NOT HELD. THEY REINSTALLED THE PINS AND GLUED THEM BACK ONCE AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL LOOSE AND SHAKES. I AM AFRAID THEY WILL FALL OUT AGAIN. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ISSUED RECALL # 00V287000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY) IN 2001. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
DT: THE AIR BAG AND THE HORN WERE HAVING WIRING SENSOR PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SENSOR ON THE INTERNAL SHORTAGE. THIS WAS HAPPENING FOR 3 MONTHS. THE HORN WAS GOING OFF WHEN HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE HORN TO SHUT OFF THE HORN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, "AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A N INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH WIRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE AIRBAG. CONSUMER STATED HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK OIL LIGHT COMES ON & OFF MANUFACTURER CAN'T DUPLICATE, WHEN HAZARD LIGHTS ARE USED HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK HAZARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL NOW. WHEN ROADS ARE WET OR WEATHER IS DAMP WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP THE CAR JUMPS/HOPS. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WORKS WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. DRIVERS SIDE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE SWITCH OR THE KEY I HAD TO PULL THE ASSEMBLY OUT SO I CAN PUSH THE KNOB ALL OF THE WAY UP BEFORE YOU CAN GET IN OR OUT. A/C DIDNT WORK WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AS IT WAS MID JAN. WHEN I MADE THE PURCHASE IN FEB. OF 2001 THE CAR STARTED MISSING REALLY BAD IT STALLED & WOULDN'T START THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS FIRE RED. THERE WAS GAS IN MY OIL, IT JUMPED TIME, FOWLED OUT THE PLUGS, ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WERE DEAD, IT NEEDED AN IGNITION COIL,TIMING, BELT PLUGS, SOME SENSOR (I CANT REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT NOW) BUT I CAN CALL THE MECHANIC & FIND OUT IT COST ME ROUGHLY $600.00 FOR A FRIEND FOR REPAIRS NOW I HEAR WATER SWISHING THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN I TURN, I THINK IT'S MY WATER PUMP AS IT'S OVER HEATING & IT'S MAKING LIKE A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BOX LOOKING THING BELOW THE ALTERNATOR.THE BRAKES DO ALOT OF CLUNKING, AND WHENEVER YOU MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND DRIVE ABOUT 1/4 MI. YOU HEAR/FEEL A CLUNK UNDER THE CAR AND THE TRANS. SEEMS TO SHIFT A LITTLE HARD & I CAN ALSO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I THINK THAT IS ABOUT IT. DT
I WAS SOLD A CAR THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE COMPLETLY WORN OUT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS BROKEN, 1 TIRE HAD BEEN PLUGGED IN THE SIDEWALL AND WAS FULL OF FIX-A-FLAT CHEMICAL. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE LOST POWER AT 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, ABLE TO PULL TO RIGHT SHOULDER, ENGINE WAS NOT HOT, NO CHECK LIGHTS WERE ON, CHECKED OIL & WATER LEVELS, OK, TRIED TO RESTART ENGINE BUT IT WAS VERY NOISY & BACKFIRING, AND WOULD ONLY RUN AT FAST IDLE. SHUT DOWN, CALLED TOW TRUCK. MECHANIC TOOK A COMPRESSION CHECK, NO COMPRESSION IN # 2 & 4 CYLINDERS. THIS ENGINE HAS A TIMING CHAIN, NOT A BELT, TIMING WAS CHECKED, FOUND OK. PULLED HEAD & FOUND THAT VALVES ON THOSE CYLINDERS HAD HIT PISTONS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO HURT SAME. PRESSURE CHECKED HEAD, GROUND VALVES (WERE NOT BENT), REASSEMBLED ENGINE, STARTED SAME & IT WAS MISSING & BACKFIRING THRU THROTTLE BOBY, SAME AS ON FREEWAY. MECHANIC GOT ON THE INTERNET LOOKING FOR ANSWERS & HAD NUMEROUS REPLIES THAT COIL HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACED SAME, HAVE PUT ALMOST 1000 MILES ON ODOMETER WITH NO PROBLEMS....DUE TO THE FACT THAT OLDS HAS COME OUT WITH A REVISED COIL HOUSING & MECHANICS ALL OVER USA REPORTED HAVING SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A PROGRAM INITIATED FOR OLDS TO REIMBURSE OWNERS THEIR COSTS AT THIS LOW MILEAGE FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY REPAIR COST WAS $1031.17, WHICH COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN $4000.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE IF THE PISTONS HAD HIT THE VALVES ANY HARDER. OLDS REDESIGNED THE HOUSING, WHICH INDICATES THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. OLDS REFUSES TO HELP PAY ANY OF THE BILL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM "WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AT A GM DEALER" THEY ARE SENDING ME A DENIAL OF HELP LETTER. PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.. *AK
THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED ON 12/2001 (00V-287). THE DEALER SAID THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *YH
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE AIR BAG AND THE HORN WERE HAVING WIRING SENSOR PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SENSOR ON THE INTERNAL SHORTAGE. THIS WAS HAPPENING FOR 3 MONTHS. THE HORN WAS GOING OFF WHEN HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE HORN TO SHUT OFF THE HORN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, "AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A N INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH WIRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE AIRBAG. CONSUMER STATED HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES AND SEVERAL MAJOR OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTINOUSLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR.
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
CHECK OIL LIGHT COMES ON & OFF MANUFACTURER CAN'T DUPLICATE, WHEN HAZARD LIGHTS ARE USED HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK HAZARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK AT ALL NOW. WHEN ROADS ARE WET OR WEATHER IS DAMP WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP THE CAR JUMPS/HOPS. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WORKS WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. DRIVERS SIDE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE SWITCH OR THE KEY I HAD TO PULL THE ASSEMBLY OUT SO I CAN PUSH THE KNOB ALL OF THE WAY UP BEFORE YOU CAN GET IN OR OUT. A/C DIDNT WORK WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AS IT WAS MID JAN. WHEN I MADE THE PURCHASE IN FEB. OF 2001 THE CAR STARTED MISSING REALLY BAD IT STALLED & WOULDN'T START THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS FIRE RED. THERE WAS GAS IN MY OIL, IT JUMPED TIME, FOWLED OUT THE PLUGS, ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WERE DEAD, IT NEEDED AN IGNITION COIL,TIMING, BELT PLUGS, SOME SENSOR (I CANT REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT NOW) BUT I CAN CALL THE MECHANIC & FIND OUT IT COST ME ROUGHLY $600.00 FOR A FRIEND FOR REPAIRS NOW I HEAR WATER SWISHING THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN I TURN, I THINK IT'S MY WATER PUMP AS IT'S OVER HEATING & IT'S MAKING LIKE A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BOX LOOKING THING BELOW THE ALTERNATOR.THE BRAKES DO ALOT OF CLUNKING, AND WHENEVER YOU MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND DRIVE ABOUT 1/4 MI. YOU HEAR/FEEL A CLUNK UNDER THE CAR AND THE TRANS. SEEMS TO SHIFT A LITTLE HARD & I CAN ALSO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I THINK THAT IS ABOUT IT. DT
DUE TO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE EXPRIENCED THE LOCKS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY (ON AND OFF), AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT. A FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR TO THIS FIRE, REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK
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
FAILURE NUMBER 1 - THIS VEHICLE HAS POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK BY USE OF EITHER THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH OR THE MANUAL LATCH. TO EXIT THE AUTOMOBILE REQUIRED THAT THE DRIVER CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR OR CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT AND LEAVE THROUGHT ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. FAILURE NUMBER 2 INVOLVED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.
DUE TO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE EXPRIENCED THE LOCKS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY (ON AND OFF), AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT. A FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. PRIOR TO THIS FIRE, REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *AK
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
OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE FRONT SEATBACK MOVES FREQUENTLY AND IN FORWARD POSITION WHEN STOPPING. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. DEALERS HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT MOVES FORWARD. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS SWITCH HAS A SHORTAGE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND SOMETIMES DON'T COME BACK ON. SWITCH HAS TO BE TOYED WITH TO COME BACK ON. *AK
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
THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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
CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD, CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. ALSO ENGINE COVER GASKET CRACKED. DEALER ALSO REPLACED #2 SPARK PLUGS AND FUEL FILTER.
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
THE PLACEMENT OF LIQUID LINE HOSE WAS AGAINST FAN HOUSING AND RUBBED A HOLE IN THE HOSE. WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE FREON TO LEAK OUT OF THE SYSTEM.
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 .