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1998 Oldsmobile AchievaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year37% below the Achieva median · #7 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints405 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage78kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 4, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva has problems

40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system121
Engine and engine cooling80
Service brakes, hydraulic70
Air bags42
Vehicle speed control40
Power train20
Equipment20
Interior lighting20
Seat belts20
6 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 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

Ignition: switch

Recall 04V-036 · Jan 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 vehicles

Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1998 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

1998 Oldsmobile Achieva safety ratings

1998 Oldsmobile 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 WAS DRIVE ALONG UNION STREET IN GREENVILLE, MISS WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I SUDDENLY PULL OVER BECAUSE THE CAR BECAME ENGULF IN FLAMES. THE FIREMAN WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT FROM THE VEHICLE.THE CAR WAS LOST DUE TO THE FLAMES AND I LOST WAGES DUE TO THE CAR. I…
Complaint 10682349 · Feb 9, 2015 · 75,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10383063 · Feb 17, 2011 · 75,000 miles
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.…
Complaint 10353295 · Sep 1, 2010 · 13,000 miles

Own a 1998 Achieva?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.