Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 17 of 87 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports3 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
87 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKS COOLANT AND A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM APPARENTLY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT. IT HAPPENS TO MANY OF ITS V6 3.1 AND 3.4 ENGINES AND COULD CAUSE SEVER DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S ENGINE WHICH LEADS TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WANT TO PERFORM RECALLS, THEREFORE, WHO …
Read full complaint
THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKS COOLANT AND A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM APPARENTLY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT. IT HAPPENS TO MANY OF ITS V6 3.1 AND 3.4 ENGINES AND COULD CAUSE SEVER DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S ENGINE WHICH LEADS TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WANT TO PERFORM RECALLS, THEREFORE, WHO WANTS TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT'S NEEDED TO BE RECALLED? *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041428
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR RECALL# 02V070000 SUBJECT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER THE REPAIR, IGNITION SHORT CIRCUITED,CAUSING A FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034395
87,770 miles · Feb 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED COOLANT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10008159
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2002
Electrical System
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT CHARGING AND THE BATTERY FAILED AS THE RESULT OF THE DEALER?S POOR RECALL REPAIR PREVIOUSLY IN WHICH WIRING HARNESS AND A RELAY WERE INSTALLED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #568231
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Seat Belts
PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #568155
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA ODI #8021941
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2002
Seat Belts
CONSUMER STATES THAT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH. *MR
NHTSA ODI #8020285
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER STATES IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBRUSEMENT. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT *SCC
NHTSA ODI #567083
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2002
Visibility
THE FIRST TIME WAS 09/03/2001 AND THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING, SO I HAD TO BUY A NEW MIROR, DUE TO THE GLUE ON THE BACK OF THE MIROR HAD FAILED (THIS WAS THE DRIVERSIDE) NOW IT IS THE PASSAGER' S SIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #763068
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL DONE ON THE VEHICLE DID FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
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.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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