RoadVitals

1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
87
Latest Aug 15, 2013
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical2321.7%
  • Airbags1615.1%
  • Engine1514.2%
  • Brakes1211.3%
  • Interior & seats65.7%
  • Seat belts54.7%
  • Driver assistance43.8%
  • Visibility43.8%
  • Transmission43.8%
  • Exterior lighting32.8%
  • Fuel system21.9%
  • Body & structure10.9%
  • Powertrain (other)10.9%
  • Other / unspecified10.9%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT MY DADS 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA, ON ABOUT THE 7-22-13, HE HAD IT AT OUR MECHANICS CAR LOT FOR SALE AND MY TRUCKS TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING ON ME SO I PURCHASED MY DADS CAR, WENT TO PICK IT UP AND NOW AFTER 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND 5 WEEKS LATER THEY STILL CAN'T GET MY CAR FIXED SO IT WILL RUN,THIS IS WHAT IT DOES,SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FLASHING UNTIL IT COMES ON FULLY ALL THE TIME,DIES AND REFUSES TO START, SO I DONE SOME LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE ACHIEVA, MALIBU'S,BASICALLY ALL G.M. CARS FROM EARLY 90'S- UPPER 90'S ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IN SOME CASES, SO I FILL LIKE IF THIS IS NOT TOOK CARE OF IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK,FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT OF SOME KIND BEING IT IS THE # 1 THING TO GO WRONG WITH THIS KIND AND YEAR MODEL'S OF OLDS-ACHIEVA, JUST WAS WONDERING IF MY CAR GOT MISSED ON RECALL OR IF IT SHOULD BE RECALLED, I'M ABOUT HALF WAY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN IF IT GETS FIXED, THAT IT WILL DO IT AGAIN AND ME BE DRIVING IT NEXT TIME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY HELP FOR MY CAR TO GET RECALLED.. *TR

NHTSA ID 10535676 · filed Aug 15, 2013

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY REFUSES TO START DUE TO PASS LOCK AND LEAVES US STRANDED. DEALER REPLACED IPC AND IGNITION SWITCH TWICE, BUT PROBLEM REMAINED. SPENT $1000, AND ITS STILL THE SAME. READING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS GM VEHICLES SHOWING, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID 10195018 · filed Jun 29, 2007
All 23 reports naming electrical

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10222507 · filed Mar 27, 2008

PASSENGER IN VEHICLE SUSTAINED SERIOUS EYE INJURY DUE TO A FAULTY AIR BAG ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE - . *TR

NHTSA ID 10215242 · filed Jan 17, 2008
All 16 reports naming airbags

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT MY DADS 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA, ON ABOUT THE 7-22-13, HE HAD IT AT OUR MECHANICS CAR LOT FOR SALE AND MY TRUCKS TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING ON ME SO I PURCHASED MY DADS CAR, WENT TO PICK IT UP AND NOW AFTER 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND 5 WEEKS LATER THEY STILL CAN'T GET MY CAR FIXED SO IT WILL RUN,THIS IS WHAT IT DOES,SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FLASHING UNTIL IT COMES ON FULLY ALL THE TIME,DIES AND REFUSES TO START, SO I DONE SOME LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE ACHIEVA, MALIBU'S,BASICALLY ALL G.M. CARS FROM EARLY 90'S- UPPER 90'S ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IN SOME CASES, SO I FILL LIKE IF THIS IS NOT TOOK CARE OF IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK,FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT OF SOME KIND BEING IT IS THE # 1 THING TO GO WRONG WITH THIS KIND AND YEAR MODEL'S OF OLDS-ACHIEVA, JUST WAS WONDERING IF MY CAR GOT MISSED ON RECALL OR IF IT SHOULD BE RECALLED, I'M ABOUT HALF WAY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN IF IT GETS FIXED, THAT IT WILL DO IT AGAIN AND ME BE DRIVING IT NEXT TIME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY HELP FOR MY CAR TO GET RECALLED.. *TR

NHTSA ID 10535676 · filed Aug 15, 2013

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND PUT ON THE COMPUTER, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG. THE INTAKE GASKET BLEW TWICE ALLOWING WATER IN THE ENGINE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID 10125502 · filed Jul 15, 2005
All 15 reports naming engine

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATED BRAKES AND ROTORS KEEPS WEARING OUT AT 5000-6000 MILES. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS AT LEAST 5 TIMES. DRUMS 3 TIMES DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN#. NLM

NHTSA ID 8006581 · filed Mar 28, 2002

AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAS FIXED 3 ACHIEVA VEHICLES BELOW 50,000 MILES,IN WHICH BRAKE LINE CRACKED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK, RESULTING IN BRAKED. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID 878690 · filed Jan 22, 2001
All 12 reports naming brakes

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP LOWER BALL JOINT DISENGAGED AND TIRE CAME OFF. THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10117474 · filed Apr 5, 2005

LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH WHEELS BROKE OFF FROM BUSHING. MY MECHANIC SAID MY CAR WAS THE 15TH OLDSMOBILE THAT THIS HAPPEN TO. HE ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT CAUSE BY WEAR OR TEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT THAT OCCURS IN OLDSMOBILE HE ALSO SAID MILEAGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS ., COSIDERING HE HAD TO REPLACE 15 OLDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD.. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON SOME HIGHWAY. IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN. MY DEALER TOLD ME BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE I HAVE. NO WAY ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. IT IS A MAJOR DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE THE REPAIR BILL WAS $340.00 TO REPLACE BOTH CONTROL ARMS.I ALSO LIKE TO BE REIMPERSE. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID 761702 · filed May 8, 2002
All 9 reports naming suspension

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10051823 · filed Feb 19, 2004

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

NHTSA ID 10034395 · filed Aug 22, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID 568155 · filed Nov 5, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH. *MR

NHTSA ID 8020285 · filed Oct 7, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE HAS HAD A SLOW PICK UP. UPON USING CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE HESITATED. ALSO, CONSUMER HEARD A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.*AK

NHTSA ID 864707 · filed Jul 3, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID 535808 · filed May 20, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FIRST TIME WAS 09/03/2001 AND THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING, SO I HAD TO BUY A NEW MIROR, DUE TO THE GLUE ON THE BACK OF THE MIROR HAD FAILED (THIS WAS THE DRIVERSIDE) NOW IT IS THE PASSAGER' S SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID 763068 · filed Jun 14, 2002

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 8008326 · filed Apr 23, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE HAD AN OIL LEAK NEAR THE CV JOINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF THE TRANSAXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING FLUID NEAR THE CV JOINT. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID 10230048 · filed Jun 5, 2008

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION AND PUT ON THE COMPUTER, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG. THE INTAKE GASKET BLEW TWICE ALLOWING WATER IN THE ENGINE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID 10125502 · filed Jul 15, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ABOUT A NHTSA RECALL # 96V250000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID 10175313 · filed Dec 6, 2006

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING/TURNING INTO PARKING LOT SMELLED BURNING AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. INSIDE VEHICLE IN REAR THERE BEGAN TO BE SMOKE FILLED. AFTER GETTING OUT SHE NOTICED THE TAIL LIGHT WAS ON FIRE, SHE OPENED THE TRUNK AND THERE WERE FLAMES. DEALERSHIP SAID THE HALLOGEN BULB GOT HOT AND BEGAN TO BURN. *AK

NHTSA ID 836140 · filed Mar 25, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07E015000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID 10435480 · filed Nov 14, 2011

CAR HAS RECURRENT PROBLEMS, NEVER RESOLVED, SERVICE COSTS, MUST REPLACE CAR!!!!!!! I FEEL LIKE SUEING GMAC FOR THIS. GASOLINE SPRAYS OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, BUT NO ONE KNOWS THE CAUSE. ALWAYS A GASOLINE ODOR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON AND ENGINES CUTS OFF SOMETIME FOR NO REASON SO IT GETS TOWED AND TOWED. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS IN JEOPARDY. THIS CAR COST ME OVER $18,000 AND I GET A CAR IN THE SHOP MOST OF THE TIME. ENDED UP TRADING IN CAR FOR ANOTHER "LEMON" ALERO 2000. NOW THIS CAR CUTS OFF WHEN I TURN OFF THE AC. I REALLY HATE OLDS CARS! DEFECTS THAT CANNOT BE TRACED....WHAT A DEAL! NOW I HAVE HIGHER PAYMENTS ON ANOTHER OLDS THAT HAS MORE UNDETECTABLE PROBLEMS. CONSTANTLY IN THE SERVICE SHOP, SO HERE WE GO AGAIN. OH WELL, THEY SURE ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY OFF OF ME,... THAT IS, IF I LIVE THROUGH THIS CAR.THE ACHIEVA WAS IN THE SHOP MORE THAT 6 TIMES IN A YEAR, EVERY YEAR. I WONDER WHAT THIS ALERO WILL DO? AND TO THINK I LET THE DEALERSHIP GET ME FOR ANOTHER $18,000 ON YET ANOTHER CAR. THE PAYMENTS ARE HIGHER THAN THE LAST LEMON THEY SOLD ME. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE PUT ME INTO A NEW CAR, WITH MY REMAINING PAYMENTS ON THE ACHIEVA. PERIOD.

NHTSA ID 734715 · filed Oct 19, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON IN MY 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. I WAS REFERRED TO MY DEALER BY MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A AIR BAG SAFETY MODULE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED BY GM AS PER "ALL DATA". THE DEALER REFERRED ME TO GM WARRANTY HOTLINE WHEN THE VIN # DID NOT MATCH A RECALL THROUGH THE GM DATABASE. THE ENTIRE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED BY THE DEALER TO BE APPROXIMATELY $3000.00 USING VINTAGE AUTO PARTS ON THE HARNESS FOR THE MODULE. THIS SAFETY ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY A BODY LEAK THAT COLLECTED WATER AND SHORTED OUT THE SAFETY MODULE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE DO TO THE DANGER OF POSSIBLE INFLATION OF THE AIRBAG WITH OUT WARNING, AS PER THE RECALL NOTICE THAT GM SAYS NEVER OCCURRED. GM WON'T HELP IN THE REPAIR BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND MET THE 10 YEAR MARK ON 10/31/06. I'VE BEEN WARNED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM BY THE GM DEALER, WHILE BEING PRESENTED WITH A $3,000.00 REPAIR BILL ON A CAR THAT IS IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER OTHERWISE. IT SEEMS GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 10180659 · filed Jan 24, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE HAD AN OIL LEAK NEAR THE CV JOINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF THE TRANSAXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING FLUID NEAR THE CV JOINT. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID 10230048 · filed Jun 5, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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/?

NHTSA ID 10068779 · filed Jan 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .