1994 Oldsmobile ACHIEVA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
138,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 40 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 6; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 5; 2000: 12; 2001: 8; 2002: 5; 2005: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10124477 · 2005-06-07 (June 7, 2005)
DT: THE AIR BAG AND THE HORN WERE HAVING WIRING SENSOR PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SENSOR ON THE INTERNAL SHORTAGE. THIS WAS HAPPENING FOR 3 MONTHS. THE HORN WAS GOING OFF WHEN HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL THE FUSE ON THE HORN TO SHUT OFF THE HORN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, "AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS A N INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH WIRING ON THE INSIDE OF THE AIRBAG. CONSUMER STATED HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING FLAW. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124477 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196869 · 2007-07-19 (July 19, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ISSUED RECALL # 00V287000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY) IN 2001. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479578 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TWICE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485645 · 1995-06-27 (June 27, 1995)
STEERING RACK REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, CAUSING ACCIDENT/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502596 · 1996-03-25 (March 25, 1996)
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DURING HEAD ON COLLISION, CAUSING INJURIES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561210 · 2001-05-15 (May 15, 2001)
THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED ON 12/2001 (00V-287). THE DEALER SAID THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567186 · 2002-08-23 (August 23, 2002)
THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE RETURNED HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER OR IGNITION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717778 · 2000-01-23 (January 23, 2000)
FAILURE NUMBER 1 - THIS VEHICLE HAS POWER DOOR LOCKS. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK FAILED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK BY USE OF EITHER THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH OR THE MANUAL LATCH. TO EXIT THE AUTOMOBILE REQUIRED THAT THE DRIVER CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE AND LEAVE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR OR CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT AND LEAVE THROUGHT ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. FAILURE NUMBER 2 INVOLVED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717778 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V287000 · Electrical System:Starter Assembly
Reported: 2000-10-02 (October 2, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRODUCING HEAT THAT CAN MELT SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence: A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT AND VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION (ADEQUATE RESERVE CAPACITY, OR COLD CRANKING AMPS). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V122000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1994-07-01 (July 1, 1994)
THESE VEHICLES WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH WELDS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT PAN ASSEMBLY THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗