1996 Oldsmobile Achieva: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 87 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (29% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2011
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2008
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Pass lock 1 security system will not allow the car to start. The car thinks that I am stealing it and does not allow gasoline to flow to the fuel injectors. Took it to garage and cost $500 to replace the instrument cluster panel which houses the security sensors. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2007
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2006
“While driving my 1996 olds achieva southbound on I-271 in ne ohio both frontal airbags deployed. Conditions were good. Pavement was dry. There was no type of impact. Caused me to swerve and nearly lose control of the vehicle. Have severe chest pains. I am trying to get something done to correct this now. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2006
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2005
“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 report · Electrical System · Nov 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 report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 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 report · Electrical System · Aug 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
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 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva. The most complained-about area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,770 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.