Known Recalls

Model year record

1996 OLDSMOBILE Achieva

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 116 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V070000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,589,948
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-06
Owners notified
2002-03-27

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V027000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
249,420
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-17
Owners notified
1998-02-28

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V250000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
270,014
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-17
Owners notified
1997-01-30

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 risk

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V211000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
48,689
Reported to NHTSA
1996-10-28
Owners notified
1996-11-04

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 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 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal975,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch8—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Air bags665,695 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6—
Suspension: front5—
Electrical system4150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Electrical system: ignition3—
Interior lighting345,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission374,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module270,986 mi
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module234,258 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Engine and engine cooling243,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Fuel system, gasoline2134,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2—
Unknown or other243,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1155,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery143,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring135 mi
Engine1150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe187,770 mi
Equipment143,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1164,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal174,000 mi
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Structure170,986 mi
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.