1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva, 11% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10070112, filed 2004-01, 95,000 miles“Pcm/TCM replaced twice as well as ignition in conjunction with this problem. Now I am told the instrument cluster panel is in failure as well. Pcm reprogrammed several times prior to replacement a second time. Car has been in internal failure off and on, I never know when it would give out on me. Car at dealership now for the 7th time in 3 months.”
NHTSA complaint #743211, filed 2001-03“The vehicle stalled because the oil pressure exceeded its normal range, the dealer replaced the 02 sensor and cleaned the fuel tank, also the transmission experienced a hard shift.”
NHTSA complaint #10019548, filed 2003-05“Vehicle stalled in oct 2000. Dealer found nothing. On 14 mar 2001, consumer was at stop light, applied gas and vehicle did not move forward. Then, put vehicle in reverse, again nothing. Consumer put back in drive, and vehicle surged forward, engine revved. Dealer again found nothing. Coolant light illuminated and there was a coolant smell present in vehicle, dealer replaced coolant system; water pump, coolant pump, timing chain, vehicle stalled and dealer replaced the belt tensioner. …”
NHTSA complaint #883255, filed 2001-03“While driving down highway dash lights started to flicker on and off, and speedometer stopped. Consumer stated that panel lights were just out of control.”
NHTSA complaint #880484, filed 2001-02Related service bulletins
- 10017086Oct 24, 20054t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva
18 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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