1995 Oldsmobile Achieva S from North America - Comments

Brake rotor on the driver's side of the vehicle had to be replaced within the first 20 miles of purchasing the car. It shook the car so bad while braking that the mirror fell off of the windshield.

The power window on the drivers side fell out into the door when I pressed the button to lower it, but that was due to the previous owner and her boyfriend's inability to do anything mechanical. I also had to replace the window switch as they had cut the wires to take the door panel off.

The "Anti-Lock" brake system warning light started flickering on the dashboard. I found out that it had been loosened by the previous owner to keep it from lighting up. This due to the fact that her boyfriend and his father had tried to replace the brakes on the front of the vehicle and didn't know how to work on an Anti-Lock System. I figure this is why the caliper locked up on me within the next 200 miles of driving. It had a hole in the seal. Bleeding the Anti-Lock brake system fixed the light.

At 128,500 miles or so, the fuel pump died. It had been replaced at 50,000 by the original owner, who I know. He also replace the alternator at 65,000. Reviewing his receipts he replaced a lot of stuff under recall and I have found much more that is still needing to be done under recall. It's all on-line at GM sites.

I have now spotted a few leaks coming from the head/intake manifold area. I can see oil seeping out around spots and am getting a little drop on my driveway that grows a bit more every day. I also think I see a bit of a water leak near the thermostat housing.

Yesterday the heater core blew out. Scared the snot out of me. I thought I smelled anti-freeze and then all of a sudden the car was filled with steam. No vision at rush hour going 70mph on a 4 lane wide highway isn't fun. The parts are cheap at $31.99 for the Heater Core. You have to tear the dashboard and Console out to get to the Heater Core. I am now in the process of replacing it. You also have to lift the car and crawl under it to get to the heater hoses as they are under the Steering Rack. If you attempt this at home, buy a box of Band-aids before you start. Trust me on this one. If you were going to install a new stereo in the car, this is the best time as everything in the dashboard is now in the front yard!

All in all I can't complain about this car too much. I bought it used and I knew of it's history. It had never really given the original owner any major problems at all. He did preventative maintenance all the time and kept it clean. He did replace the front brakes a lot though.

When the afore mentioned Girl got hold of it, she neglected it as it was given to her and she just tore it up. I gave very little for the car so I am happy with the thing. The ONLY trouble I have is that I don't have total use of my legs anymore and it makes it hard for me to work on things like I used to and I am too proud (hard headed) to ask for help. I never take a vehicle to a garage. Never. I guess I got a better tasting Lemon than most... A Lime maybe?

I am a college student and this is my first car. I own the same Oldsmobile that you do and I am experiencing every problem you have. When I bought the car earlier this year, I replaced the brake pads. Within three months the brakes were "grinding". They totally skipped the squeaking sound. I just replaced the brake pads and rotors, now my ABS light won't go off. The drivers window is taped up. It doesn't go up or down and every few weeks it just falls into the door. I've seen at least four other cars like mine (Grand Ams and Skylarks) where the drivers window is messed up. The door panel on the driver side is completely coming off, I had to drill it back into place. I purchased the car in the Spring and did not notice the heat didn't work. I had to get a new heater core which cost an arm and a leg to get put in. Now after two months it is leaking water/antifreeze on the passenger side floor. I went to get my oil changed and oil is leaking from the lower intake manifold. I don't know how much that is going to cost to be fixed. I just replaced my fuel filter and praying the fuel pump doesn't go out. One day the taillights and dashboard lights just stopped working. The are now wired directly to the battery. I think I need an axle or a control arm bush because there is a popping noise when I make sharp turns. I don't know what's next. Engine is great though.

My 95 Acheiva S also has a heater core problem. To the college student: Are you sure it's your heater core leaking? If you read the comment on one of the above posts, I explained that that is a common source of wet carpet. It comes from the flap door under the cowl on the fresh air intake box.