TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IDLED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CHECK THE OIL WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING LIQUID LEAKED ONTO THE OIL PAN, WHICH MIXED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IDLED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CHECK THE OIL WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING LIQUID LEAKED ONTO THE OIL PAN, WHICH MIXED THE TWO LIQUIDS. COOLANT ALSO LEAKED INTO THE AIR VENTS. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
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.
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.
1998 Oldsmobile Achieva Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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