1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 16%of 87 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,770miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, 16% of the 87 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,770 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dt: consumer states that the transmission failed 3 times. The vehicle was taken to a service station and put on the computer, but they couldn't find what was wrong. The intake gasket blew twice allowing water in the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10125502, filed 2005-07, 100,000 miles“Alternator,serp belt tensioner, serp belt, r& r alternator,r & r belt tensioner ... The tension acutally broke off and destroyed the other parts. How can this happen???? For only 43000 miles on this car thats ridiculous... Any help here/?”
NHTSA complaint #10068779, filed 2004-01, 43,000 miles“The intake gasket leaks coolant and a known problem that GM apparently doesn't care about. It happens to many of its v6 3.1 and 3.4 engines and could cause sever damage to the car's engine which leads to potentially serious problems if not repaired. In addition, the manufacturer doesn't want to perform recalls, therefore, who wants to pay to fix something that's needed to be recalled?”
NHTSA complaint #10041428, filed 2003-10“When driving the vehicle down the highway at any given speed the engine shuts off and have to coast to the side of the road. It takes about 10 minutes before the vehicle will restart. Took to the dealer and they couldn't find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #822026, filed 1998-03“Consumer states that the recall done on the vehicle did fix the problem with the vehicle it caught on fire. Contacted dealer and the dealer is not willing to do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #8010874, filed 2002-06Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva
25 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsInterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology