Carlexica

1992 Oldsmobile Achieva: problems, recalls and reliability

0 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).

Data updated weekly

0
recalls
53
owner complaints
4
fire reports
47,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

No recall campaignsWeak spot: engine and engine cooling (23%)4 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)23% · 12 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)15% · 8 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)15% · 8 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)12% · 6 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)6% · 3 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)6% · 3 complaints
Dt: the contact stated on his way home from washing vehicle felt as though it was slipping. The vehicle started filling up with smoke. He pulled the vehicle over and noticed a fire under the trunk. The rubber hanger that holds the exhaust system melted, but the muffler was still on. There was a football size hole in the trunk. He was able to extinguish the fire himself, and drove the vehicle home, approximately 50 yards. The vehicle has not been to a mechanic to determine where the fire had started. *akOwner report · Electrical System · Nov 2005
While my wife was driving home from work she saw smoke from under the dash. She drove home in a snow storm for 1.5 hours and after getting home turned the headlight switch, and car off. I notice the lights were still on. It smelled like a fire was going to start. I drove it into my shed and checked it out and it was a short in the switch. I replaced the switch and it cost me over $100 to replace it. It probrably would of cost me over $200 dollars if I were to have a dealer or garage do it. This to me is a very high safety concern and don't think it should be taken lightly. Thank youOwner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2004
When the vehicle came to a stop, strong gas fumes came through the vents. *ak the smell worsened per consumer. The mechanic tightened the ground to the computer, checked for exhaust leaks and found none. There were cracks in the flange at the exhaust manifold which was replaced. There was an intermittent problem with the headlights, the wipers did not work, the automatic door lock were inoperative as well, and noise occurred when the a/c was in use. There were a number of repairs that the vehicle required. *sc the battery, tires, lower radiator hose, front struts,water pump, disc brake, calipers, pads and starter solenoid were all replaced. *jbOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
Brakes intermittently fail, brakes do not take hold immediately , complete failure during inlclement weather. ABS light on. *akOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2002
After driving could stop and engine will stall without a prior warning. Engine will not start until consumer will let vehicle sit for a few minutes. Then, it will restart and work again. Dealer said that problem iwas with torque converter. *akOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2001
While driving at about any speed stepped on brake pedal to reduce or stop, and entire vehicle started vibrating, then it stalled. When consumer tried to re-start vehicle, it vibrated. But, when put in drive vehicle stalled again.*akOwner report · Suspension · Jun 2000
Alternator out 96/upper rad hose out 97/ oxygen sensor out 98/door lock out 98/timing chain,gears,guides, water pump out 99/trans. Pan leak 2000/head gasket out 2000** how do you describe a fear of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle not get paid for with all of these problems. *akOwner report · Power Train · May 1999
While driving on highway at approximately 55mph went to apply brakes, and vehicle shut off and vibrated. Also, check engine light came on. When shifting from park to drive there is a loud noise. In addition, when the vehicle was in park and shifted into drive, vehicle would shut off. *akOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 1999
Transmission will not shift out of 1st gear. Vehicle would not go beyond 15mph. Been to dealer, and told consumer transmission needed replacing . Also, engine had a rettling nois. Then hesitated and stalled out. *akOwner report · Power Train · Jul 1998
After the purchase of my car, I was issued a recall on the engine for cracked cylinder head and coolant loss. Thomas motor cars did the work on the car and now about 2 years later I am having the same problems with coolant loss and head gaskets. Is there any thing that I can do to help get this problem resolved. *akOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1997

When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

How other years compare

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?

NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 47,000 miles or less.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.