Car was at dealer on 8/17/99 who had to replace the sensor-ox 3.682 part due to a shorted relay and damaged sensor at a cost of $337.44. The alternator overheated and burned and had to be replaced june 29, 2001 at a cost of $453.98, including towing of the car to the service station. The serp belt was also damaged and replaced. On the federal safety agency website, there are numerous entries listed for the sensor, serp belt, and alternator repairs. All of these repairs occurred before the official recall on february 27, 2002 (recall for dealer to install relay kit to prevent short and ignition switch failure and fire). The build dates involved were 5/1/95 7/31/96, mine was built within these dates, december 1995. Would like to be reimbursed for repairs paid for prior to federal recall (791.42).
Oldsmobile Achieva overheating problems
12 of the 416 owner complaints about the Oldsmobile Achieva describe engine overheating, most of them for the 1992 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 1992
By model year
- 19982
- 19971
- 19961
- 19932
- 19926
Often reported together
What owners say
(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!!!
Anti freeze liquid eats away intake manifold, causing vehicle to overheat. Dealer contacted and replaced part.
Car does not heat due to coolant loss caused by cracked head.I have learned this is a defect in the quad 4 engine in gm "n" cars such as the achieva.
Repeated incidents of overheating; heater core replaced twice; intake manifold gasket; radiator cored out twice; water pump replaced twice; problem persists
This venicle has started to overheat after going short distances. I have had it serviced twice with in the last four (4) months. The fisrt time 8/24/99 and the problem was due to engine overheating. I had the valve cover gasket and timing cover replaced fro a total cost of $692.10. The second occurence was due to engine overheating as well. On this ocassion the head had to replaced due to a crack on the alu. Head. The mechanic informed me that it was difficult to find a replacement head because all of the ones he could find all had the same failure in the same general area. I purchased a ne w unit directly from gm and the car was repaired after 2 1/2 weeks and $856 later. My opinion is that the aluminum head in question has a design defect in the area where the crack occured. I have noted other consumers with the same story anf type of problem with this year and model/engine type. I strongly feel that there is some some kind of consideration back to the consmer for cash out of pocket for the listed head failures. Victor m. Marrufo
Engine cylinder failed, causing vehicle to overheat.
After the purchase of my car, I was issued a recall on the engine for cracked cylinder head and coolant loss. Thomas motor cars did the work on the car and now about 2 years later I am having the same problems with coolant loss and head gaskets. Is there any thing that I can do to help get this problem resolved.
Vechile has been in for repairs, same items, numerous times, under warranty, engine was partially rebuilt 7 months ago, under warranty, engine failed again, olds will not honor warranty, water pump replaced three times, steering pump replaced three times, tires replaced two times by dealer, bought tires myself, transmission was defective and replaced, brakes continue to be a problem, converter replaced, sensors replaced numerous times, fan motor replaced twice, coolant overflow replaced, gaskets replaced, camshaft, rods, bearings, timing gears, crank shaft intake gaskets all replaced, car had a continual overheating problem for over three years, dealer could not find problem and advised oldsmobile, oldsmobile replaced numerous internal parts in engine, after7 months engine had complete failure, all parts installed , I paid a partial of bill, were under a warranty, 12,000 miles or 12 months, oldsmobile would not honor there warranty, claimed it was a defective gasket which blew causing the internal damage to the car. Dealer stated that parts should have never been installed previously on that engine. I requested a replacement engine on several occassions, oldsmobile stated it would be cheaper to repair than replace, dealer now wants an additional $4,500 dollars for a replacement engine. I have all receipts for all worked preformed since the vechile had approximately 50 miles on it, numerous times for brake issues. Vechile is now at an independent engine manufacture, pictures have been taken of the engine after it was disassembled, and defective parts recorded. Please contact me at (973) 274-0777 with information concerning any recalls, safety issues, and/or assistance that can be offered. I had submitted a prior complaint approximately 7 months ago when oldsmobile would not replace the defective parts, but wanted to save money and installed some replacement parts inernally into the engine. I will supply any and all invoivces if required..thank you
Vechile has been in for repairs, same items, numerous times, under warranty, engine was partially rebuilt 7 months ago, under warranty, engine failed again, olds will not honor warranty, water pump replaced three times, steering pump replaced three times, tires replaced two times by dealer, bought tires myself, transmission was defective and replaced, brakes continue to be a problem, converter replaced, sensprs replaced numerous times, fan motor replaced twice, coolant overflow replaced, gaskets replaced, camshaft, rods, bearings, timing gears, crank shaft intake gaskets all replaced, car had a continual overheating problem for over three years, dealer could not find problem and advised oldsmobile, oldsmobile replaced numerous internal parts in engine, after7 months engine had complete failure, all parts installed , I paid a partial of bill, were under a warranty, 12,000 miles or 12 months, oldsmobile would not honor there warranty, claimed it was a defective gasket which blew causing the internal damage to the car. Dealer stated that parts should have never been installed previously on that engine. I requested a replacement engine on several occassions, oldsmobile stated it would be cheaper to repair than replace, dealer now wants an additional $4,500 dollars for a replacement engine. I have all receipts for all worked preformed since the vechile had approximately 50 miles on it, numerous times for brake issues. Vechile is now at an independent engine manufacture, pictures have been taken of the engine after it was disassembled, and defective parts recorded. Please contact me at (973) 274-0777 with information concerning any recalls, safety issues, and/or assistance that can be offered. I had submitted a prior complaint approximately 7 months ago when oldsmobile would not replace the defective parts, but wanted to save money and installed some replacement parts inernally into the engine. I will supply any and all invoivces if required..thank you
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Oldsmobile Achieva overheating
Which Oldsmobile Achieva years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1992 (6 complaints), 1993 (2 complaints) and 1998 (2 complaints).
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