1994 Oldsmobile Achieva: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (21% of complaints); the 1993 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 report · Electrical System · Jul 2007
“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 report · Electrical System · Jun 2005
“Vehicle was involved in a front end collision and was totalled. None of the vehicles airbags deployed. *ak dealer contacted. Steering wheel broke due to impact. Injury was sustained. *tt”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving 50 mph vehicle ran off the road into a ditch. Neither air bag deployed. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2002
“I was sold a car that the brakes and rotors were completly worn out and the emergency brake cable was broken, 1 tire had been plugged in the sidewall and was full of fix-a-flat chemical. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 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 report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2001
“Tilt mechanism "sprung" wheel swings up and down effects ability to drive car. Airbag performance could be comprimised because steering wheel swings up and down. Lights on dash or headlights may not function when high beam turned on or off by stalk on st”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2001
“Consumer had received manufacturer's recall 000779-s concerning ignition system failure. Notice stated that recall will be taken care off in january, but consumer did not feel safe about the recall. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2000
“Headlights switch has a shortage. Problem is intermittent, headlights go out and sometimes don't come back on. Switch has to be toyed with to come back on. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2000
“Recall 00v287000/ ignition switch caused turn signal to be inoperative which is a safety feature. Deaelr is not willing to help because it's not part of recall. *ak fire and heat generated in the steering column could possibly damage other parts. The engine does not start and run because the ignition switch was not supplying power to park neutral switch and was replaced. *yh”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.
How other years compare
Check your exact Achieva by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva. The most complained-about area is steering (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 138,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Oldsmobile Achieva have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:starter assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.