1997 Oldsmobile Achieva: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed. The contact sustained a contusion to the face and left hand. The contact indicated that the vehicle was not involved a crash when the incident occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. ..updated 12/02/14 *bf”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“The air bags deployed by there self no accident and not moving I was at a stand still .first the driver air bag deployed and then a few seconds later the passenger side deployed. I do not know if there are factory installed air bags in the car? As I bought the car second hand less then a year ago. There was no record of the car being in a accident and car never been totaled out. I do not know why it happened. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that while attempting to start the ignition, the air bag deployed. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning lamp was illuminated a few days prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 oldsmobile achieva. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when the key was inserted into the ignition. As of september 28, 2007, the dealer had not inspected or repaired the vehicle. There is a recall for the electrical system: ignition: switch (NHTSA campaign id number 02v070000). The current and failure mileages were 50,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2007
“(1)54,971 miles "low coolant light" dex-cool coolant guaranteed for 5 years or 150,000 miles reported "dirty coolant" flushed and replaced. Stated no leaks,(2) intermittent "low coolant light" topped up "dex-cool" as per manufactures instructions. (3)56,000 miles replaced hose that had disintegrated (4)59,350 miles "coolant leak" replaced water pump, replaced serp. Belt saturated with coolant. Possible intake manifold leak! Engine shampoo because of coolant saturation.(5)62,370miles "coolant leak" replaced intake manifold, and gasket replaced dex-cool for the 4th time. There is a problem with dex-cool coolant causing coolant system to break down. (6) possible rad leak!!!”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2002
“I have had several problems with my oldsmobile achieva since buying it in february of 2001. The water pump went out 6 months after I got it. The serpentine belt has been replaced twice in less than a year. I have replaced the oil sending unit. I have replaced bushing on both front end lower arm controls. The coolant has started to leak. I just had a part that holds the bearings in the wheel replaced and now I am having the transmission replaced.”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2002
“Consumer received a recall letter for relay switch, took to dealer they replaced relay, and presently vehicle is discharging. Vehicle was fine until dealer replaced relay. Battery light is on, and vehicle is not charging.*akconsumer had to take the vehicle to another mechanic to have the problem resolved. *jg”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2002
“Dealer: courtesey chevrolet oldsmobile, orlando, fl; phone# 407/295-7000 wanted to charge consumer $600.00 for recall repairs. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2002
“Consumer received recall notice 02v070000 ignition campaign, however when vehicle was brought to dealer, dealership would not performed recall unless consumer paid for labor. Manufacturer notified. *tt *dt”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2002
“Engine blewout while driving 70-73 mph, and engaged in cruise control. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Achieva by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,400 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.