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1997 Oldsmobile AchievaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 63 owner complaints about the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Achieva median · #4 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints638 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage74kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 24, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva has problems

63 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system181
Engine and engine cooling172
Air bags84
Power train70
Vehicle speed control70
Service brakes, hydraulic62
Visibility60
Seats30
Fuel system, gasoline30
9 other systems151

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 02V-070 · Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles

Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Achieva year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Achieva median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva safety ratings

1997 Oldsmobile Achieva 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Achieva owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION REPEATEDLY TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET…
Complaint 10386647 · Mar 7, 2011 · 100,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10204357 · Sep 28, 2007 · 50,000 miles
CAR WOULD NOT START SO WE TOOK THE CAR IN ON 1/22/2004 AND HAD TO HAVE AN IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. COST $492.45 ON 2/6/2004 ONCE AGAIN CAR WOULD NOT START, SO WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO A DIFFERENT SHOP AND HAD TO HAVE THE ECM MODULE REPLACED. COST $629.28 THE TRUNK OF THIS CAR FILLS WITH WATER, HAS…
Complaint 10059102 · Feb 27, 2004 · 18,848 miles

Own a 1997 Achieva?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.