1998 Oldsmobile Achieva: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
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 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. While driving approximately 35 mph, a burning odor was detected from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle idled and stalled without warning. The contact had a certified mechanic check the oil where it was diagnosed that the cooling liquid leaked onto the oil pan, which mixed the two liquids. Coolant also leaked into the air vents. There were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. While driving approximately 55 mph, the engine stalled and the entire instrument panel would not function. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to an independent mechanic where they informed that the failure was related to the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a recall under NHTSA 04v036000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The contact was in the process of notifying the manufacturer to verify the VIN being included in the recall defect. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“My gm passlock system has been going on the fritz for well over a year now. Every fix would last a couple of months, weeks than go right back to no working. I keep getting lock out of of the car with the anti thieft. I have a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. I have been locked out of my car for more than an hour and a half at times during the middle of winter. I hate gm and their crappy passlock system. There seems to be enough complaints online about it that u would think they would do something about it. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Purchased vehicle in september of 2007, had already had instrument cluster replaced in july of 2006 at yark automotive in toledo, ohio. Frequently fails to start. Had battery and alternator replaced in october 2007. Dealership working on the vehicle now claims the instrument cluster needs to be replaced again. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2007
“The consumer received recall notice #04v036000 (ignition switch). The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for repair on 10/11/04. The mechanic replaced relay switch but not the ignition switch. The vehicle was able to be started but will not turn off properly. The mechanic indicated that replacing the ignition switch was not part the recall. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2004
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile achieva. The contact had her vehicle repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 04v036000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The technician installed a relay kit. Years later, she noticed that the failure recurred. The contact called the dealer in reference to having the ignition switch replaced. Both the dealer and manufacturer stated that because the remedy stated that the ignition switch should only be replaced if necessary, the original recall repair was technically sufficient. The failure still persists. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 157,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2004
“Ignition switch failed after tires were installed. *ph the vehicle ignition switch failed prior to recall notice. The consumer submitted all invoices for reimbursement but was denied because the manufacturer claims that the part replaced was not the part covered by the recall or that the documentation provided did not substantiate the request. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2004
“Alternator - 2nd time that goes out in 3 1/2 years. Car bought in 1999 with less than 35000 miles, alternator went out with no warning at 37000 miles in 1999, and now again in jan 2004.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2004
“The vehicle restraints in the rear seat of the 1998 oldsmobile achieva are not cooperative with child restraint systems. The seat belt latch is located too far forward on the bottom portion of the seat not allowing a secure fit with child restraints. It would be nice if a latch retrofit kit was available for this vehicle so you could just bypass the vehicle restraints all together.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2003
“I own a 1998 olds acheiva. My throttle idle sensor has to be replaced for the 4th time. It is dangerous as the car picks up speed on its own, and is difficult to stop. These repairs are excessive and expensive. *nlm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
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.
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 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.