1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL
1G3NL52MXWM317652
Vehicle history report for the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL (VIN 1G3NL52MXWM317652). Green, sedan/saloon, 3.1L 6-cyl, gasoline. 168,961 mi reported. Registered in Pa. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1G3NL52MXWM317652
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔥 2 involved a fire
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 49
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IDLED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CHECK THE OIL WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING LIQUID LEAKED ONTO THE OIL PAN, WHICH MIXED THE TWO LIQUIDS. COOLANT ALSO L…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10853272ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVE ALONG UNION STREET IN GREENVILLE, MISS WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I SUDDENLY PULL OVER BECAUSE THE CAR BECAME ENGULF IN FLAMES. THE FIREMAN WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT FROM THE VEHICLE.THE CAR WAS LOST DUE TO THE FLAMES AND I LOST WAGES DUE TO THE CAR. I CONTACT GMC ABOUT THE CAR AND THEY SAID , THE CAR ENGULF IN FL…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10682349ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS BEEN GOING ON THE FRITZ FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW. EVERY FIX WOULD LAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS, WEEKS THAN GO RIGHT BACK TO NO WORKING. I KEEP GETTING LOCK OUT OF OF THE CAR WITH THE ANTI THIEFT. I HAVE A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR AND A HALF AT TIMES DURING THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. I HAT…
NHTSA ODI #10383063ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA 0…
NHTSA ODI #10353295ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT HAD HER VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE TECHNICIAN INSTALLED A RELAY KIT. YEARS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. BOTH THE DEAL…
NHTSA ODI #10273090ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, HAD ALREADY HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED IN JULY OF 2006 AT YARK AUTOMOTIVE IN TOLEDO, OHIO. FREQUENTLY FAILS TO START. HAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2007. DEALERSHIP WORKING ON THE VEHICLE NOW CLAIMS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208675ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY DID NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER . THEY SENT HIM A NEW KEY, HOWEVER, THE KEY DID NOT WORK. HE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE RECALL STATED MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH OR THE WIRES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFA…
NHTSA ODI #10142258SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. I OWN THE ABOVE MENTIONED CAR. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, NAMELY THE ABS SYSTEM. THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON AND MY ABS MAKES A FUNNY NOISE. THE BRAKES ALSO CLUNK SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO BE REPAIRED AT SUBSTANTIAL COST AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE WHE…
NHTSA ODI #10136060+ 41 more complaints on record.
