1996 Oldsmobile ACHIEVA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
58 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
87,770 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 58 complaints (12.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 7 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 7; Air Bags: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 41 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 9; 2001: 6; 2002: 17; 2003: 5; 2004: 6; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2011: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10008159 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED COOLANT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 87,770 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034395 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR RECALL# 02V070000 SUBJECT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER THE REPAIR, IGNITION SHORT CIRCUITED,CAUSING A FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041428 · 2003-10-07 (October 7, 2003)
THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKS COOLANT AND A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM APPARENTLY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT. IT HAPPENS TO MANY OF ITS V6 3.1 AND 3.4 ENGINES AND COULD CAUSE SEVER DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S ENGINE WHICH LEADS TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WANT TO PERFORM RECALLS, THEREFORE, WHO WANTS TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT'S NEEDED TO BE RECALLED? *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045977 · 2003-11-11 (November 11, 2003)
VEHICLE CUTS OFF AND ANY SPEED FOR NO REASON. THEN IT TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 7 MINS TO GET IT RESTARTED AND THAT IS ONL;Y IF U PUT IT IN "N" AND TURN IT ALL THE WAY OFF, THEN BACK ON. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH B4 GMC SEARCHES FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY OR STREET.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050626 · 2003-12-16 (December 16, 2003)
IN REGARDS OF YOUR DEFECT INVESTIGATION# IQ3001, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CONTROL MODULE, ITS NOT WORKING NOW DUE TO IT GOT WET, NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND I'M JUST WAITING FOR IT TO DEPLOY WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, SO MAYBE THEN WHEN IT KILLS SOMEONE A RECALL WILL BE DONE ON IT. IT IS A POOR LOCATION FOR THE MODULE ANYWAYS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051823 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
THERE WAS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILURE. THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057451 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 65,695 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068779 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ALTERNATOR,SERP BELT TENSIONER, SERP BELT, R& R ALTERNATOR,R & R BELT TENSIONER ... THE TENSION ACUTALLY BROKE OFF AND DESTROYED THE OTHER PARTS. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN???? FOR ONLY 43000 MILES ON THIS CAR THATS RIDICULOUS... ANY HELP HERE/?
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068779 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V070000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2002-03-06 (March 6, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V211000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 1996-10-28 (October 28, 1996)
DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, THE AIR BAG FABRIC CAN SNAG ON A REINFORCEMENT INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, CAUSING THE EXPANDING AIR BAG TO LIFT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD AND THEN DEPLOY UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTEAD OF THROUGH THE DOOR IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence: IN A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES IF HE OR SHE CONTACTS A BROKEN REINFORCEMENT OR IF THE SNAGGING AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PADS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PLASTIC EDGE PROTECTOR TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD REINFORCEMENT. ON CERTAIN EARLY-PRODUCTION VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Reported: 1996-12-17 (December 17, 1996)
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V027000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 1998-02-17 (February 17, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗