Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 OLDSMOBILE Achieva

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 108 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 97V059000

Electrical system: wiring: front underhood

Component
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,464
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-04-30

Defect description

THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.

Safety risk

THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7—
Electrical system: ignition: switch674,081 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system655,000 mi
Air bags: frontal5—
Electrical system: ignition: module418,848 mi
Vehicle speed control4—
Air bags3130,000 mi
Electrical system3100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash374,081 mi
Engine and engine cooling3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Power train395,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery299,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Parking brake2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Steering2—
Unknown or other295,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood174,081 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch199,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner176,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels195,000 mi
Wheels: rim122,900 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 2 times as many 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.