Oldsmobile / Achieva / 1996
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva problems
Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 25% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 14.7%.
Complaints116
Crashes12
Fires5
Injuries23
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 25.0% · 29
Air bags 14.7% · 17
Engine and engine cooling 12.9% · 15
Service brakes, hydraulic 12.1% · 14
Suspension 7.8% · 9
Power train 4.3% · 5
Seat belts 4.3% · 5
Vehicle speed control 3.4% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire, 23 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Oldsmobile Achieva in this data, 1996 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 10 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 81,385 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer states intermittently vehicle cranks but will not start. When this occurs lights does not come on at key up. Dealer replaced ignition switch. Prior to repairs consumer received recall 02v070000 relating to failure. Consumer is requesting reimbursement from previous repairs performed prior to recall notice. Manufacturer notified. Electrical system
Vehicle cuts off and any speed for no reason. Then it takes anywhere from 2 to 7 mins to get it restarted and that is onl;y if u put it in "n" and turn it all the way off, then back on. This is a safety hazard. Is it going to take a death b4 gmc searches for the problem. This happens on the freeway or street. Electrical system · reported at 35 miles
Vehicle continually refuses to start due to pass lock and leaves us stranded. Dealer replaced ipc and ignition switch twice, but problem remained. Spent $1000, and its still the same. Reading all the same problems with various gm vehicles showing, there should be a recall. Electrical system · reported at 34,258 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…