NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 87 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Oldsmobile dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Oldsmobile Achieva owner complaints

Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva, describing incidents dated May 1, 1995 to July 22, 2013.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 25 complaints
Air Bags 14 complaints
Engine 14 complaints
Service Brakes 10 complaints
Suspension 7 complaints
Seat Belts 5 complaints

Of the 87 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 87 complaints, owners report 19 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10535676 · Filed August 15, 2013
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…
ODI #10435480 · Filed November 14, 2011
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…
ODI #10230048 · Filed June 5, 2008
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…

Read all 87 complaints

AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS

NHTSA #07E021000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Pressure Relief Devices · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 742 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES

NHTSA #07E015000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported February 26, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 3,124 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PUMP MODULES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/IGNITION SWITCH

NHTSA #02V070000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported March 6, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,589,948 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02008 · Owners notified March 27, 2002 · Vehicles built May 1, 1995 – July 31, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/FMVSS 101

NHTSA #98V027000 · Interior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported February 17, 1998 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 249,420 vehicles

Owners notified February 28, 1998 · Vehicles built May 1, 1995 – October 31, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 1998.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, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300,PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GENERAL MOTORS/FMVSS 108/4 WAY FLASHERS

NHTSA #96V250000 · Exterior Lighting — Hazard Flashing Warning Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 270,014 vehicles

Owners notified January 30, 1997 · Vehicles built May 1, 1995 – December 31, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN DURING JANUARY 1997. NOTE: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 PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

GM/AIR BAG

NHTSA #96V211000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 28, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 48,689 vehicles

Owners notified November 4, 1996 · Vehicles built August 1, 1995 – February 28, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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 OF THE AIR BAG.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 1996. NOTE: 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1996 Oldsmoblie Achieva 4-DR

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

87 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10535676

Incident: July 22, 2013 · Filed: August 15, 2013

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 WILL RUN,THIS IS WHAT IT DOES,SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FLASHING UNTIL IT COMES ON FULLY ALL THE TIME,DIES AND REFUSES TO START, SO I DONE SOME LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE ACHIEVA, MALIBU'S,BASICALLY ALL G.M. CARS FROM EARLY 90'S- UPPER 90'S ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IN SOME CASES, SO I FILL LIKE IF THIS IS NOT TOOK CARE OF IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK,FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT OF SOME KIND BEING IT IS THE # 1 THING TO GO WRONG WITH THIS KIND AND YEAR MODEL'S OF OLDS-ACHIEVA, JUST WAS WONDERING IF MY CAR GOT MISSED ON RECALL OR IF IT SHOULD BE RECALLED, I'M ABOUT HALF WAY AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN IF IT GETS FIXED, THAT IT WILL DO IT AGAIN AND ME BE DRIVING IT NEXT TIME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY HELP FOR MY CAR TO GET RECALLED.. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10435480

Incident: April 1, 2011 · Filed: November 14, 2011

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.

Power Train

ODI #10230048

Incident: March 21, 2008 · Filed: June 5, 2008

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

Air Bags

ODI #10222507

Incident: March 13, 2008 · Filed: March 27, 2008

FRONT AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10215242

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 4, 2006 · Filed: January 17, 2008

PASSENGER IN VEHICLE SUSTAINED SERIOUS EYE INJURY DUE TO A FAULTY AIR BAG ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE - . *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10195018

Incident: June 19, 2007 · Filed: June 29, 2007

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

Electrical System

ODI #10194090

Incident: June 5, 2007 · Filed: June 24, 2007

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

Air Bags; Structure

ODI #10180659

Incident: January 18, 2007 · Filed: January 24, 2007

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON IN MY 1996 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. I WAS REFERRED TO MY DEALER BY MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A AIR BAG SAFETY MODULE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED BY GM AS PER "ALL DATA". THE DEALER REFERRED ME TO GM WARRANTY HOTLINE WHEN THE VIN # DID NOT MATCH A RECALL THROUGH THE GM DATABASE. THE ENTIRE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED BY THE DEALER TO BE APPROXIMATELY $3000.00 USING VINTAGE AUTO PARTS ON THE HARNESS FOR THE MODULE. THIS SAFETY ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY A BODY LEAK THAT COLLECTED WATER AND SHORTED OUT THE SAFETY MODULE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE DO TO THE DANGER OF POSSIBLE INFLATION OF THE AIRBAG WITH OUT WARNING, AS PER THE RECALL NOTICE THAT GM SAYS NEVER OCCURRED. GM WON'T HELP IN THE REPAIR BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND MET THE 10 YEAR MARK ON 10/31/06. I'VE BEEN WARNED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM BY THE GM DEALER, WHILE BEING PRESENTED WITH A $3,000.00 REPAIR BILL ON A CAR THAT IS IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER OTHERWISE. IT SEEMS GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10175313

Incident: November 21, 2006 · Filed: December 6, 2006

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10171666

1 injury

Incident: October 22, 2006 · Filed: October 23, 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

Other Oldsmobile Achieva model years

Check your 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva VIN

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