no report yet
Ignition: switch
Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
1996 Oldsmobile AchievaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 87 owner complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 15, 2013. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva has problems
87 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
25Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
16Air bags10 crash/fire/injury
14Engine and engine cooling
11Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
9Suspension
5Seat belts
4Visibility
4Power train
4Vehicle speed control
127 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 25 | 2 |
| Air bags | 16 | 10 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 11 | 2 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 |
| 7 other systems | 12 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Interior lighting
Risk. THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
Risk. IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. IN A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES IF HE OR SHE CONTACTS A BROKEN REINFORCEMENT OR IF THE SNAGGING AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Oldsmobile.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other Achieva year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Achieva median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva safety ratings
1996 Oldsmoblie Achieva 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Achieva owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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
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
Own a 1996 Achieva?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.