Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Oldsmobile Achieva

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 52 owner complaints on file.

Oldsmobile Achieva, 1992–1998 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1998 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V036000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,415,231
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-27
Owners notified
2004-03-01

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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch480,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3139,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine373,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip311,700 mi
Vehicle speed control324,000 mi
Electrical system275,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Interior lighting2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine158,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment137,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Fuel system, gasoline175,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: column1101,483 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Oldsmobile Achieva model years

20001998199719961995199419931992

All Oldsmobile Achieva recalls by year

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.