1995 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical problems: cars that intermittently fail to start, melted ignition switch wiring, burning smells under the dash, and lights that cut out. Reports also cover brake wear that recurs at low mileage, airbags that did not deploy in collisions, and doors or door locks that jam. Many complaints come in at higher mileage, though some electrical and cooling issues appear early.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and no-start electrical faults

   • 15 complaints (21%)
   • median 107,750 mi at 14.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2015

   Owners describe cars that will not start intermittently, sometimes needing a jump or several tries, and sometimes restarting on their own after the key is removed. Several report the ignition switch or a relay melting, smoke or a burning smell near the dash or steering column, and lights or turn signals failing afterward; some had the switch replaced more than once. Dealers reportedly replaced the switch or a relay, and some owners say the cause was never clearly identified. Reported from under 5,000 to about 150,000 miles, with many accounts from vehicles well past 60,000 miles.

   Recall 00V287000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall work was done and whether the switch has been replaced since; check for a burning smell, scorched wiring or a dash that smells hot after starting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased this vehicle from a private party approximately 4-5 years ago, unbeknownst of the 2000 recall for ignition issues with the ignition switch. Since I have owned this vehicle I have replaced the ignition switch 3 occasions most currently today 3/24/2015. I presume there is a statute of limitations on this issue. I am curious do I still have any re-course in getting this issue resolved or must I out of pocket resolve this issue as I cannot continue to replace these ignition switches.”

   NHTSA complaint #10701523, filed 2015-03, 150,000 miles

   “Stupid passlock issue . Everybody knows about it but no fix from GM. Worthless car that will not start one time out of every 10. You never know when it will happen. Car must be sold or gotten rid of to fix cause there is no fix. Engineers should be sent to iraq.”

   NHTSA complaint #10328645, filed 2010-05, 121,500 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pads and rotors wearing out quickly

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 2.6 yrs old
   • filed 1997–2003

   Owners describe front pads and rotors needing replacement repeatedly at short intervals, in some cases every few thousand miles, with one report of replacements at roughly 8,000, 18,000, 30,000 and 38,000 miles. Some say the dealer could not find a cause, and another report describes the ABS pedal going to the floor when the system activates, giving a longer stopping distance. Reported from about 8,000 miles upward, including repeated replacements over the first 40,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the brakes inspected with pad and rotor thickness measured, and ask about service history showing how often they were replaced; check that the ABS warning lamp behaves normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Faulty pads and rotors; vehicle has been experiencing ongoing problem with pads/ rotors replacement on three occasions; 1st. At 8000 miles, 2nd. 18,000 miles, and 3rd. 30,000 miles. Currently, at 38,000 miles, problem reoccurred ,and replacement was needed again. Dealer / manufacturer notified. Asking NHTSA to look into this matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #853515, filed 1999-11

   “Problem 1.) window falls down while driving (rain, snow or shine)..dealer says window frame unstable must be replaced 2) brakes need to be replaced every 6 months, never any padding left on brake shoes 3) headlight switch just decides that it no longer wants to work or turn lights on bright or on at all”

   NHTSA complaint #734564, filed 2000-10
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Doors, locks and power window faults

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 1.9 yrs old
   • filed 1997–2000

   Owners describe power door locks that lock on their own or will not open with the key, doors that will not open from inside or outside, a door hinge that popped, and a window that dropped while driving with the dealer saying the window frame needed replacement. Some say the dealer could not determine the cause. Spread across the sample with no clear mileage pattern; reported from vehicles at typical used-car mileage.

   What to check: Open and close every door from both inside and outside, test all power locks and windows, and check that the seat belt at the door panel is properly anchored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driver's side and passenger side power door locks are not working properly, the doors lock once the vehicle is started, and has to be unlocked manually, and if consumer is outside of vehicle the key won't work. The dealer has been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #846317, filed 1999-09

   “Steering column came loose, and the consumer had the steering column repaired. Also, electrical door locks would not work wnenever the consumer would get locked out the vehicle. The dealer can't determine the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #829864, filed 1998-10
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag did not deploy in a crash

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 71,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe front-end and rear-end impacts where the driver-side airbag did not deploy, in some cases with injuries reported. In one account the dealer said the airbag should have deployed because a sensor under the vehicle was broken, and another owner reported that a dealer lacked the equipment to complete an airbag repair. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 75,000 miles, in collisions at ordinary road speeds.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag recall or any airbag service was completed, and have the airbag warning lamp and system checked before relying on it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle drivers side air bag did not deploy when the front end of the vehicle impact a stopped vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to her knee, right arm/shoulder, back and neck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10024763, filed 2003-06, 71,000 miles

   “Vehicle made an emergency stop in front of another vehicle and hit the other vehicle from the back and the air bag did not deploy. Dealer said that the air bag should deploy because when vehicle was hit the sensor was broken under the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #807117, filed 1997-03

Buying note. Check the electrical system carefully on this model year, starting with whether the starter/ignition switch recall was performed and whether the switch has been replaced since, and look over the fuel lines and brake service records. Given the vehicle's age, a pre-purchase inspection focused on starting, brakes and the airbag system is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 42 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.