RoadVitals

1995 Oldsmobile Achieva

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
70
Latest Mar 24, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 2, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 70 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 58 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V287000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

Oct 2, 2000
699,617 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00079View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA00007ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING COLUMN FIRES

Opened Mar 3, 2000
Closed Feb 7, 2001

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 00V287000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 70
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2015

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY APPROXIMATELY 4-5 YEARS AGO, UNBEKNOWNST OF THE 2000 RECALL FOR IGNITION ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH 3 OCCASIONS MOST CURRENTLY TODAY 3/24/2015. I PRESUME THERE IS A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON THIS ISSUE. I AM CURIOUS DO I STILL HAVE ANY RE-COURSE IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED OR MUST I OUT OF POCKET RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS I CANNOT CONTINUE TO REPLACE THESE IGNITION SWITCHES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10701523
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 3, 2010

STUPID PASSLOCK ISSUE . EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT NO FIX FROM GM. WORTHLESS CAR THAT WILL NOT START ONE TIME OUT OF EVERY 10. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. CAR MUST BE SOLD OR GOTTEN RID OF TO FIX CAUSE THERE IS NO FIX. ENGINEERS SHOULD BE SENT TO IRAQ. *TR

NHTSA ID
10328645
Incident
Apr 30, 2010
Mileage
121,500 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 6, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. SHE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OCCASIONALLY IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE SMELL AND SMOKE OCCURRED AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AT LEAST THREE TIMES. INITIALLY, WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY RESTART. AFTER A SHORT TIME, IT WOULD TAKE LONGER TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE STALLING OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V287000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY). THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,900.

NHTSA ID
10217302
Incident
Feb 2, 2008
Mileage
69,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED FOR BETTER VISION. THIS CAUSED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS, AND HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC FOR THIS.

NHTSA ID
10155691
Incident
Apr 19, 2006
Mileage
94,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2004
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THEN A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CONSUMERS HOME AND HE STATED THE FIRE WAS NOT A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FUEL RAIL. NHTSA RECALL 04V110000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10096882
Incident
Jun 9, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 23, 2004

CONSUMER SENT A LETTER TO OLDSMOBILE DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS AND DIDN'T RECEIVE A RESPONSE. *PH THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. AT TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. THIS CONDITION WAS INTERMITTENT. THE LINKAGE WAS CHECKED, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. *TT *JB

NHTSA ID
10057266
Filed Jan 15, 2004

MY UNCLE WORKS IN THE AUTOBODY BUSINESS AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT OLDS TO SEE IF THEY COVER THE COST FOR A PAINT JOB SINCE I HAVE 3 SPOTS WHERE THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND SPOKE TO THE BODY SHOP DEPARTMENT AND ASKED IF THEY STILL WARRENTY THE PAINT. THE COUNTER PERSON SAID THAT THEY NEVER DID WARRENTY ANY PAINT ISSUES IN THE PAST AND THAT THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALLS REGARDING THE PAINT EITHER. I CALLED THE CONTACT NYMBER THAT YOU HAVE POSTED ON YOUR SITE AND GOT THE SAME SNUB NOSE BY THE BOOK REMARKS FROM THE REP ON THE PHONE. I WAS WONDERING IF IT IS A WORTH WHILE EFFORT TO FIGHT THIS BASED ON THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE OR SHOULD I JUST PAY OOUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ID
10070198
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
98,000 mi
ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT. COMPUTER CONTROLS HAVE BEEN NONRELIABLE SINCE PURCHASE, FROM AIRBAG LIGHT, ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT, SPEEDOMETER, ETC POWER WINDOWS BECAME INOPERABLE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, FIXED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, LATER AT A COST OF SOME 400.+ DOLLARS TO ME.

NHTSA ID
10069581
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
Mileage
400 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

PIC4696C

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.

PIP4723C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Oldsmobile Achieva by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000300—
1998403050.0
1997634051.5
1996876055.1
1995Viewing701151.3
1994622158.2
1993381045.6
1992530039.1

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.